Learn Portuguese (Portugal): Se calhar, a nossa equipa merece o aumento.

You would say: Se calhar, quem merece o aumento é a nossa equipa. The word quem (who) is followed by the verb merece, and then we use é (is) to introduce the subject we want to put the spotlight on (a nossa equipa).

I learned that words for 'maybe' often trigger the subjunctive. Why is merece in the normal present tense here?

The expression se calhar (maybe) is a notable exception because it always takes the regular indicative mood, rather than the subjunctive. If you used talvez (perhaps/maybe) instead, you would need the subjunctive: Talvez a nossa equipa mereça o aumento. Using se calhar is a great trick to express doubt without having to conjugate the subjunctive!

Why do we say a nossa equipa instead of just nossa equipa?

In European Portuguese, it is the standard rule to include the definite article (o or a) before a possessive word when a noun follows it. So, we literally say 'the our team' (a nossa equipa).

In the word aumento, does it only mean a pay raise, or can it mean an increase in general?