The 2024 MLB All-Star Game and draft have wrapped up, setting the stage for the trade deadline, which is set to arrive in less than two weeks. This year's season has already been full of unexpected turns and standout performances, notably from teams like the Cardinals, who have become a force to reckon with since May 11.
Cardinals' Stellar Performance
Since May 11, the Cardinals boast the best record in the National League, going 35-22, translating to a .614 winning percentage. Despite this impressive run, they find themselves trailing the Brewers by 4.5 games, with an overall record of 50-46. The Brewers, meanwhile, lead the division with a 55-42 record and have the upper hand in their head-to-head matchups against the Cardinals, winning six out of seven games.
Surging Teams
Other teams have also turned the tide since mid-May. The Phillies have posted a 34-22 record, which translates to a .607 winning percentage, while the Astros have gone 36-21, achieving a .632 mark. The Guardians have matched the Cardinals' surge with a 34-21 record, resulting in an identical .618 winning percentage. These numbers reflect tightly contested races and the potential for some thrilling finishes as the season progresses.
Blue Jays' Struggles
At the other end of the spectrum, the Blue Jays are navigating a challenging season. With a record of 44-52, they find themselves 9.5 games out of a wild-card spot. FanGraphs puts their postseason odds at a mere 1.8%, suggesting a tough road ahead for the Toronto squad if they aim to make an improbable push into the playoffs. For now, it seems they are more likely in the planning stages for future seasons.
Individual Standouts
On the individual front, Elly De La Cruz has been a dynamo on the base paths, leading MLB with 46 stolen bases entering the All-Star break. Having played 97 games, De La Cruz is on pace to steal 78 bases by season's end, drawing comparisons to some of the game's all-time greats. For context, José Reyes stole 78 bases in 2007, Ronald Acuña Jr. swiped 73 last year, Rickey Henderson had 93 in 1988, and Vince Coleman set a high mark with 109 in 1987.
Dodgers' Pitching Woes
Meanwhile, the Dodgers have faced adversity primarily from the mound. They've used 31 different pitchers this season due to injuries to key starters like Walker Buehler, Tyler Glasnow, Tony Gonsolin, and Clayton Kershaw. In an attempt to bolster their staff, the Dodgers recently claimed Brent Honeywell off waivers from the Pirates. The team's pitching depth will be crucial as they navigate the stretch run.
Just last season, only five pitchers reached the 200-inning mark, underscoring the rarity and value of durability in today's game. Among them were Logan Webb, Zac Gallen, and Gerrit Cole. This year, Logan Gilbert leads the league with 132 1/3 innings pitched, followed closely by Seth Lugo's 127 innings and Logan Webb again with 124 1/3 innings. These workhorses are invaluable as teams look to make a deep push into October.
Newcomers to Watch
Looking at fresh faces, Nolan Schanuel has made history as the first player to make his MLB debut the same year he was drafted since Garrett Crochet did so in 2020. Chris Cortez is another exciting prospect expected to break into the major leagues this year. With a 2.78 ERA and 107 strikeouts in 64 2/3 innings at Texas A&M, Cortez's transition to the professional level is highly anticipated.
As the 2024 MLB season progresses, these storylines and performances will no doubt continue to captivate fans and shape the narrative of the summer and beyond. With teams like the Cardinals, Phillies, and Astros surging, and individual players making headlines, the upcoming trade deadline and ensuing races for playoff spots promise to deliver exciting baseball action.