Baseball people expect the Cubs to sell at the trade deadline. Though they have the best run differential in the NL Central, they are a realistic lot.

They also see the Cubs having one of the best sales, with possibly the best starter (Marcus Stroman) and best outfielder (Cody Bellinger).

The belief is that Padres, baseball’s unluckiest team, still are buyers, barring a collapse.

The White Sox are mostly talking about trading free agents — meaning Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez, etc. Since Lance Lynn has an $18M team option, he isn’t even certain to be dealt.

Tim Anderson may yet have trade value despite his putrid year. Said a rival: “He’s still Tim Anderson.”

Though they are getting many hits on ace Dylan Cease, they have little interest in dealing him or Luis Robert Jr., Eloy Jimenez or Andrew Vaughn. The Astros — who seek a starter with Luis Garcia, Jose Urquidy and Lance McCullers out — would love Cease but will eye Stroman as their best realistic option — with Jordan Montgomery, Giolito and Eduardo Rodriguez among possibilities.

The belief is the Cardinals won’t trade Nolan Arenado unless he requests it (no sign of that yet), and Jack Flaherty is perhaps even more likely to be dealt than Montgomery since Montgomery is certain to get a qualifying offer.

There are more teams seeking a starter (likely at least the Dodgers, Rangers, Reds, Astros, Phillies, Giants, Orioles, Rays, Red Sox, Diamondbacks) than starters available.

If the Angels do sell, Hunter Renfroe and Matt Moore will also be popular.