The conclusion of the 2024 MLB All-Star Game and draft has left fans eagerly awaiting the next pivotal moment in the season—the trade deadline, now just under two weeks away. Amid the excitement, several teams have distinguished themselves with impressive performances since May 11, particularly the Cardinals, who boast the best record in the National League during this period with a 35-22 (.614) performance.
Despite their remarkable run, the Cardinals still find themselves trailing the Brewers by 4.5 games. With a 50-46 record, the Cardinals are in pursuit of the Brewers, who hold a 55-42 record. As we look deeper into the standings, it's clear that the Brewers have had the upper hand in head-to-head matchups this season, leading the Cardinals 6-1 in their series.
Across the league, other teams have shown formidable prowess since May 11. The Phillies have notched a 34-22 (.607) record, while the Astros have impressed with a 36-21 (.632) mark. The Cleveland Guardians have matched the Cardinals' winning percentage, posting a 34-21 (.618) record over the same time span.
Blue Jays' Wild-Card Hopes Dim
The Blue Jays have struggled, sitting at 44-52 and trailing by 9.5 games in the wild-card race. FanGraphs currently places their postseason odds at a meager 1.8%, making their path to the playoffs increasingly arduous.
Elly De La Cruz Steals the Spotlight
One of the standout individual performances this season comes from Elly De La Cruz. With 46 stolen bases entering the All-Star break, De La Cruz leads MLB in this category. Over the Reds' 97 games, he is on pace to steal an eye-popping 78 bases, a feat not matched since José Reyes achieved the same number in 2007. Comparisons to other prolific base-stealers are inevitable, with Ronald Acuña Jr.'s 73 stolen bases last year and Rickey Henderson's 93 stolen bases in 1988 highlighting the historical context. Vince Coleman’s remarkable 109 stolen bases in 1987 remain a lofty benchmark for De La Cruz to aim for.
Dodgers' Pitching Woes and Reinforcements
The Dodgers have encountered significant pitching challenges this season, utilizing an astounding 31 pitchers due to injuries to key starters like Walker Buehler, Tyler Glasnow, Tony Gonsolin, and Clayton Kershaw. In a bid to shore up their pitching rotation, the Dodgers claimed Brent Honeywell off waivers from the Pirates—a move that underscores their ongoing quest for stability and depth.
Last season, only a handful of pitchers reached the 200-inning mark, including Logan Webb, Zac Gallen, and Gerrit Cole. This year, Logan Gilbert leads the charge with 132 1/3 innings, followed closely by Seth Lugo with 127 innings and Logan Webb with 124 1/3 innings. The ability to rack up innings remains a key metric of durability and effectiveness, critical to a team's long-term success.
Debuts and Anticipations: Rising Stars
Nolan Schanuel is making waves as the first player to debut in the MLB the same year he was drafted since Garrett Crochet accomplished this in 2020. This rapid ascension highlights a promising future for the young star. Similarly, Chris Cortez is anticipated to make a significant impact this year, bringing with him an impressive pedigree from Texas A&M, where he posted a 2.78 ERA and struck out 107 batters in 64 2/3 innings.
As the MLB season progresses toward its climax, these stories and performances will be pivotal in shaping the playoff picture and future of the game. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as the trade deadline approaches, with the potential for significant moves to further tilt the balance of power in the league. Whether it's the Cardinals' relentless pursuit of the Brewers, the Dodgers' quest for pitching solutions, or the emerging talents poised to become household names, the 2024 baseball season promises to deliver excitement and drama.