The midseason mark of MLB's 2024 campaign is brimming with intriguing narratives. As the All-Star Game and draft fade into the rearview, the trade deadline looms just two weeks ahead, promising a flurry of activity and potential roster shake-ups.
Among the teams making waves are the St. Louis Cardinals. Since May 11, the Cardinals boast the best record in the National League, posting an impressive 35-22 (.614) performance. Despite this surge, the Cardinals find themselves trailing the Milwaukee Brewers by 4.5 games with a 50-46 record. The Brewers, sitting atop the division, have maintained a solid 55-42, and currently lead the season series against the Cardinals 6-1.
Notably, the Phillies and the Guardians are matching the Cardinals' recent hot streak. Philadelphia has a 34-22 (.607) record since May 11, while Cleveland has notched a 34-21 record, boasting a .618 winning percentage. However, it's the Houston Astros who lead the pack with a 36-21 (.632) mark in the same timeframe.
While the Brewers and Cardinals vie for divisional supremacy, the Toronto Blue Jays find themselves in a more challenging predicament. With a 44-52 record, the Blue Jays are 9.5 games out of a wild-card spot, and their postseason odds, according to FanGraphs, sit at a slim 1.8%.
A Journey Through the Bases - Elly De La Cruz’s Remarkable Pace
In other news, Cincinnati Reds' Elly De La Cruz is setting the base paths on fire. Leading MLB with 46 stolen bases at the All-Star break, De La Cruz's relentless pace over 97 games has him on track to swipe 78 bases by the season's end. This projection puts him in elite company—José Reyes stole 78 bases in 2007, Ronald Acuña Jr. managed 73 last year, while legends like Rickey Henderson and Vince Coleman notched 93 (1988) and 109 (1987) respectively. De La Cruz’s ambition and sheer speed are a spectacle to watch as the season progresses.
Dodgers' Pitching Carousel
Over in Los Angeles, the Dodgers are grappling with a pitching conundrum. Injuries have plagued their starters, losing key arms like Walker Buehler, Tyler Glasnow, Tony Gonsolin, and Clayton Kershaw. Consequently, the Dodgers have resorted to employing a carousel of arms, with a staggering 31 pitchers taking the mound so far this season. In a bid to stabilize their rotation, the Dodgers claimed Brent Honeywell off waivers from the Pirates.
Last season, only five pitchers surpassed the 200-inning mark, with Logan Webb, Zac Gallen, and Gerrit Cole among the elite few. This year, Logan Gilbert leads the league with 132 1/3 innings pitched. Seth Lugo and Logan Webb have logged 127 and 124 1/3 innings respectively, highlighting the grueling demands placed on pitchers today.
New Faces on the Horizon
As the MLB continues to evolve, fresh talent breathes new life into the league. Nolan Schanuel is making headlines as the first player to debut in the majors the same year he was drafted since Garrett Crochet in 2020. Additionally, Chris Cortez is on the cusp of breaking into the big leagues this year. The talented Texas A&M alumnus posted a stellar 2.78 ERA and racked up 107 strikeouts in just 64 2/3 innings, showcasing his potential to become a formidable presence on the mound.
The stage is set for an exhilarating second half of the MLB season. With the trade deadline fast approaching, teams are likely to make strategic moves to bolster their rosters for the stretch run. As the dust settles from the midseason festivities, the focus now shifts to the pivotal moments that will define the 2024 campaign.