The baseball world has been nothing short of electric in the wake of the 2024 MLB All-Star Game and draft. With the trade deadline looming in less than two weeks, teams are jockeying for position and making crucial moves to solidify their postseason dreams.
Cardinals on the Rise
Since May 11, the St. Louis Cardinals have been a force to be reckoned with, boasting the best record in the National League at 35-22, managing an impressive .614 winning percentage. However, despite their stellar performance, the Cardinals find themselves trailing the Milwaukee Brewers by 4.5 games, holding onto a 50-46 record.
The Brewers, standing tall at 55-42, maintain their lead, underscored by their dominance in the season series against the Cardinals, which they lead 6-1. Despite the Cardinals' surge, the Brewers' consistency has kept them ahead in a tightly contested division.
Other teams have also made significant strides. The Philadelphia Phillies have matched the Cardinals' resurgence with a 34-22 (.607) record since May 11, while the Houston Astros outshine both with a 36-21 (.632) mark. The Cleveland Guardians almost mirror the Cardinals' success with a 34-21 record, translating to a .618 winning percentage.
Blue Jays’ Struggle
While several teams are hitting their stride, the Toronto Blue Jays find themselves in a precarious position. With a current record of 44-52, they are lagging 9.5 games behind a wild-card spot. FanGraphs has put Toronto's postseason odds at a dismal 1.8%, underscoring the uphill battle they face for the remainder of the season.
Rookie Sensation: Elly De La Cruz
Elly De La Cruz is captivating fans with his electric play. Leading MLB with 46 stolen bases entering the All-Star break, the Reds' rookie is on pace to steal 78 bases this season. That figure matches José Reyes’s total from 2007 and surpasses Ronald Acuña Jr.'s 73 from last year. To put this into historical context, Rickey Henderson stole 93 bases in 1988, and Vince Coleman swiped 109 in 1987. De La Cruz’s torrid pace is setting him up for a potentially historic season in Cincinnati.
Dodgers’ Pitching Woes
On the West Coast, the Los Angeles Dodgers are navigating a challenging season, having utilized 31 pitchers already. Injuries to key starters such as Walker Buehler, Tyler Glasnow, Tony Gonsolin, and Clayton Kershaw have thrown a wrench into their plans. In response, the Dodgers claimed Brent Honeywell off waivers from the Pirates, hoping to plug some holes in their beleaguered rotation.
The Innings Ironmen
In an era where pitching workloads are heavily scrutinized, only five pitchers managed to reach the 200-inning mark last season. This select group included Logan Webb, Zac Gallen, and Gerrit Cole. This season, Logan Gilbert leads the league with 132 1/3 innings pitched, closely followed by Seth Lugo at 127 innings and Logan Webb at 124 1/3 innings. These pitchers showcase durability and stamina in an age where such traits are increasingly rare.
Newcomers Making Waves
This year has also seen notable debuts and anticipated arrivals in the MLB. Nolan Schanuel made his mark, becoming the first player since Garrett Crochet in 2020 to debut in the same year he was drafted. On the horizon is Chris Cortez, who is expected to break into the major leagues after posting a 2.78 ERA and 107 strikeouts in 64 2/3 innings at Texas A&M. Cortez’s impressive collegiate performance has fans eagerly awaiting his transition to the majors.
As the trade deadline draws near, teams will continue to make strategic moves, hoping to either bolster their playoff chances or build for the future. With so many compelling storylines developing, the second half of the 2024 MLB season promises to be a thrilling ride for players and fans alike.