As the dust settles on the 2024 MLB All-Star Game and draft, teams across the league shift their focus to the rapidly approaching trade deadline, now less than two weeks away.
Cardinals on the Rise
Since May 11, the St. Louis Cardinals have emerged as a formidable force in the National League, amassing an impressive 35-22 record (.614). Despite this stellar performance, they find themselves trailing the Milwaukee Brewers by 4.5 games, boasting a 50-46 record. The Brewers, sitting comfortably on a 55-42 record, maintain their lead partially due to their dominant 6-1 season-series advantage over the Cardinals.
Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Phillies have also made significant strides since May 11, registering a 34-22 run (.607). In the American League, the Houston Astros lead the charge with a 36-21 mark (.632), while the Cleveland Guardians mirror the Cardinals' efforts with a 34-21 record, matching their .618 winning percentage.
Blue Jays' Struggles
Contrastingly, the Toronto Blue Jays find themselves in a more precarious position. With a 44-52 record, they are currently 9.5 games out of a wild-card spot. FanGraphs puts their postseason odds at a slim 1.8%, highlighting the enormity of the challenge they face in the latter half of the season.
Speed Sensations
One of the season's standout performers has been Elly De La Cruz, who leads MLB with 46 stolen bases entering the All-Star break. As the Reds have played 97 games, De La Cruz is on pace to steal 78 bases, a feat last accomplished by José Reyes in 2007. For context, Ronald Acuña Jr. stole 73 bases last year, while Rickey Henderson and Vince Coleman had even more remarkable seasons in 1988 and 1987, with 93 and 109 steals, respectively.
Dodgers' Pitching Carousel
The Los Angeles Dodgers have seen a remarkable turnover on the mound this season, deploying 31 different pitchers. This extensive usage results from injuries to key starters like Walker Buehler, Tyler Glasnow, Tony Gonsolin, and Clayton Kershaw. In a bid to bolster their bullpen, the Dodgers recently claimed Brent Honeywell off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Across the league, pitching has seen its trials and triumphs. Only five pitchers surpassed the 200-inning mark last season, a group that included stalwarts like Logan Webb, Zac Gallen, and Gerrit Cole. This year, Logan Gilbert leads the league with 132 1/3 innings pitched, followed by Seth Lugo with 127 innings and Logan Webb with 124 1/3 innings.
Fresh Faces
Nolan Schanuel has made headlines by becoming the first player to make his MLB debut the same year he was drafted since Garrett Crochet did so in 2020. Additionally, Chris Cortez, who posted a notable 2.78 ERA with 107 strikeouts in 64 2/3 innings at Texas A&M, is anticipated to break into the major leagues this year. His anticipated debut adds to the excitement as the league continues to usher in fresh talent.
With the trade deadline looming, the coming weeks will determine the fate of many teams. Each organization's decisions, whether acquiring fresh talent or fortifying existing rosters, will set the stage for what promises to be an electrifying second half of the season.