The 2024 MLB season has been nothing short of thrilling, highlighted by the recent All-Star Game and draft. With the trade deadline less than two weeks away, teams are gearing up for the final push of the season, and the narrative is becoming increasingly intense.
Since May 11, several teams have shown remarkable performances. The Cardinals boast the best record in the National League over this period, with a 35-22 (.614) record. Despite this stellar run, they find themselves trailing the Brewers by 4.5 games as of now. The Cardinals' current standing, 50-46, pales slightly in comparison to Milwaukee's 55-42. This discrepancy is partially due to the Brewers leading the season series against the Cardinals 6-1, a fact that underscores the competitive edge Milwaukee has had over St. Louis.
Other teams have also shown significant improvement since May. The Phillies, with a 34-22 (.607) record, and the Astros, with an impressive 36-21 (.632) mark, have both made significant strides. The Guardians have matched the Cardinals' win percentage with a 34-21 record, further accentuating the dynamic climate of the league this season.
Toronto's Struggles
However, not all teams have ridden the wave of success. The Blue Jays, sitting at 44-52, find themselves 9.5 games out of a wild-card spot. According to FanGraphs, Toronto's postseason odds stand at a bleak 1.8%, reflecting the challenges they have faced this season.
Reds' Rising Star
A standout individual performance comes from Elly De La Cruz, who leads MLB with 46 stolen bases entering the All-Star break. The Reds have played 97 games, and De La Cruz is on pace to steal 78 bases, a number reminiscent of José Reyes’ feat in 2007. Last year, Ronald Acuña Jr. managed 73 stolen bases, while historical greats like Rickey Henderson and Vince Coleman achieved 93 in 1988 and 109 in 1987, respectively.
Dodgers' Injury Woes
The Dodgers have had a tumultuous season, using 31 pitchers due to injuries to key starters such as Walker Buehler, Tyler Glasnow, Tony Gonsolin, and Clayton Kershaw. In an effort to stabilize their pitching woes, the Dodgers claimed Brent Honeywell off waivers from the Pirates. The importance of reliable pitching cannot be overstated, especially with only five pitchers reaching the 200-inning mark last season – among them Logan Webb, Zac Gallen, and Gerrit Cole. Webb continues to be a workhorse this season, logging 124 1/3 innings, just behind leaders Logan Gilbert and Seth Lugo, who have pitched 132 1/3 innings and 127 innings, respectively.
Upcoming Talent
In terms of new talent, Nolan Schanuel made headlines as the first player to make his MLB debut the same year he was drafted since Garrett Crochet's debut in 2020. Another rising star is Chris Cortez, who is anticipated to break into the major leagues this year. Cortez's college record at Texas A&M, with a 2.78 ERA and 107 strikeouts in 64 2/3 innings, hints at a promising future.
As the trade deadline looms, it's clear that teams will need to strategize intensely to either fortify their playoff bids or build for the future. The Cardinals, Brewers, and Dodgers, among others, have stories yet to be fully written this season. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as the excitement continues to build in the 2024 MLB season.