The culmination of the 2024 MLB All-Star Game and draft has set the stage for a critical period in Major League Baseball, with the trade deadline now less than two weeks away. As teams maneuver to strengthen their rosters for the stretch run, several storylines have emerged since May 11, significantly influencing the landscape of the season.
Cardinals Making a Surge
The St. Louis Cardinals boast the best record in the National League since May 11, compiling an impressive 35-22 (.614) performance. Despite their surge, the Cardinals are still trailing the Milwaukee Brewers by 4.5 games, holding a 50-46 record compared to the Brewers' 55-42. The Brewers have been a thorn in the Cardinals' side, leading their season series 6-1. As the trade deadline looms, both teams are likely to be active, with the Cardinals eyeing a more favorable position in the standings.
Meanwhile, other teams have also made notable strides. The Philadelphia Phillies have gone 34-22 (.607) and the Cleveland Guardians have notched a 34-21 record, equating to a .618 winning percentage since May 11. Topping them all, the Houston Astros have recorded a 36-21 (.632) mark in the same period, underscoring a competitive race across several divisions.
Blue Jays Facing Long Odds
The Toronto Blue Jays, however, find themselves in a less promising situation. With a 44-52 record, they are 9.5 games out of a wild-card spot. FanGraphs estimates Toronto's postseason odds at a mere 1.8%, leaving them with an uphill battle if they hope to make a miraculous turnaround in the second half of the season.
Stolen Bases and Inning Eaters
A standout story this season has been the base-stealing prowess of Elly De La Cruz. Entering the All-Star break, De La Cruz leads MLB with 46 stolen bases. The rookie has played in 97 games and is on pace to swipe an eye-popping 78 bags, matching José Reyes' 2007 campaign. To put this feat in perspective, Ronald Acuña Jr. stole 73 bases last year, while Rickey Henderson and Vince Coleman set the gold standard with 93 and 109 stolen bases in 1988 and 1987, respectively.
On the pitching front, the Dodgers have had a tumultuous season, employing a staggering 31 pitchers due to injuries to pivotal starters such as Walker Buehler, Tyler Glasnow, Tony Gonsolin, and Clayton Kershaw. In an effort to bolster their beleaguered staff, the Dodgers claimed Brent Honeywell off waivers from the Pirates.
In a league where durable starters are increasingly rare, only five pitchers reached the 200-inning mark last season. Among these workhorses were Logan Webb, Zac Gallen, and Gerrit Cole. This year, Logan Gilbert leads the league with 132 1/3 innings pitched. Close behind him, Seth Lugo has thrown 127 innings, and Logan Webb has logged 124 1/3 innings, demonstrating the critical role of reliable innings eaters.
Rookie Debuts and Rising Stars
In the realm of emerging talent, Nolan Schanuel has made headlines as the first player to debut in MLB the same year he was drafted since Garrett Crochet in 2020. Additionally, Chris Cortez is anticipated to break into the major leagues this year. Cortez posted a remarkable 2.78 ERA with 107 strikeouts over 64 2/3 innings at Texas A&M, highlighting his potential as a future impact player.
As the MLB season progresses, these individual and team performances set the stage for what promises to be an enthralling race to the playoffs. With the trade deadline fast approaching, the battles within divisions, the feats of base stealers, and the resilience of starting pitchers will undoubtedly shape the narrative of this captivating season.