The MLB season is heating up as we approach the trade deadline, and there’s plenty to dissect. The 2024 MLB All-Star Game and draft have passed, but the real drama is unfolding on the field as teams fight for playoff positioning and aim to bolster their rosters.
Cardinals Surge, Yet Lag Behind
The St. Louis Cardinals have been on a tear since May 11, boasting the best record in the National League with a 35-22 (.614) performance. Yet, despite their impressive run, they find themselves trailing the Milwaukee Brewers by 4.5 games with a 50-46 record. The Brewers, sitting at 55-42, have been resilient, particularly in their head-to-head matchups against the Cardinals, leading the season series 6-1. The success of both teams since May 11 paints an intriguing picture for the remainder of the season.
Similarly hot are the Philadelphia Phillies (34-22, .607), the Houston Astros (36-21, .632), and the Cleveland Guardians, who share a .618 winning percentage with the Cardinals at 34-21. This competitive surge highlights the intensity of the battle for playoff spots as teams press forward into the latter half of the season.
Blue Jays On Thin Ice
The Toronto Blue Jays, in stark contrast, have found themselves in a precarious position. Standing at 44-52, they are 9.5 games out of a wild-card spot. FanGraphs has set Toronto's postseason odds at a mere 1.8%, leaving their playoff hopes hanging by a thread.
Swiping Bases and Racking Up Miles
Elly De La Cruz has been nothing short of electrifying, leading MLB with 46 stolen bases entering the All-Star break. With the Reds having played 97 games, De La Cruz is on pace to swipe an astounding 78 bases. This projection puts him on par with José Reyes' total of 78 bases in 2007. Comparatively, Ronald Acuña Jr. stole 73 bases last year, while Rickey Henderson and Vince Coleman’s marks of 93 in 1988 and 109 in 1987, respectively, seem far-reaching but not entirely out of the question for this young dynamo.
Dodgers' Pitching Carousel
The Los Angeles Dodgers have faced a tumultuous season with their pitching staff, utilizing 31 pitchers thus far. Injuries to key starters such as Walker Buehler, Tyler Glasnow, Tony Gonsolin, and Clayton Kershaw have forced the Dodgers to be creative. Most recently, they claimed Brent Honeywell off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates to help stabilize their rotation.
Last season, only five pitchers reached the 200-inning mark, including Logan Webb, Zac Gallen, and Gerrit Cole. This year, Logan Gilbert leads the league with 132 1/3 innings pitched. Following closely are Seth Lugo with 127 innings and Logan Webb himself with 124 1/3 innings, showcasing the endurance and durability required to anchor a pitching staff.
New Faces on the Horizon
In terms of new talent, Nolan Schanuel has made headlines by being the first player to make his MLB debut the same year he was drafted since Garrett Crochet in 2020. Eyes are also on Chris Cortez, who is anticipated to break into the major leagues this year. Cortez posted impressive numbers at Texas A&M, with a 2.78 ERA and 107 strikeouts in 64 2/3 innings, suggesting he could be a formidable addition to his team.
As we inch closer to the trade deadline, the narratives surrounding these teams and players are sure to evolve. The stakes are high, and with every game, the landscape of the league shifts, leaving fans and analysts alike excited for what’s to come.