As the 2024 MLB season approaches the trade deadline, the league's landscape is undergoing dramatic shifts in standings and player performance. With the All-Star Game and draft now in the rearview mirror, teams are keenly aware of the limited time left to cement their postseason aspirations before the trade window closes in less than two weeks.
Cardinals and Brewers Neck-and-Neck in NL Central
Since May 11, the St. Louis Cardinals have emerged as a powerhouse in the National League, boasting an impressive 35-22 (.614) record. However, despite this strong performance, they still find themselves trailing the Milwaukee Brewers by 4.5 games with a 50-46 record. The Brewers, who currently sit at 55-42, have maintained their edge partly by dominating the Cardinals in their head-to-head matchups, leading the season series 6-1.
Surging Teams in the AL
Across the league, other teams have also made notable strides. The Philadelphia Phillies have been almost as hot as the Cardinals, with a 34-22 (.607) record since May 11. Not to be outdone, the Houston Astros have registered an impressive 36-21 (.632) mark in the same period. The Cleveland Guardians, matching the Cardinals with a .618 winning percentage and a 34-21 record since May 11, have also shown remarkable consistency.
Blue Jays' Fading Postseason Hopes
In a less rosy situation, the Toronto Blue Jays find themselves in a precarious position. With a 44-52 record and trailing by 9.5 games out of a wild-card spot, their postseason prospects are dim. FanGraphs places their odds of making the playoffs at a mere 1.8%, underscoring the steep hill they have to climb.
De La Cruz's Historic Pace
One of the standout individual performances this season comes from Elly De La Cruz, who leads MLB with 46 stolen bases entering the All-Star break. The Cincinnati Reds have played 97 games, putting De La Cruz on pace to steal 78 bases by season's end. This pace draws comparisons to the likes of José Reyes, who stole 78 bases in 2007, and Ronald Acuña Jr., who swiped 73 bags last year. For a historical perspective, Rickey Henderson stole 93 bases in 1988, and Vince Coleman set the bar high with 109 steals in 1987.
Dodgers' Pitching Carousel
Moving to the pitching front, the Los Angeles Dodgers have faced a particularly challenging season, using 31 pitchers thus far. Injuries to key starters such as Walker Buehler, Tyler Glasnow, Tony Gonsolin, and Clayton Kershaw have forced the Dodgers to dig deep into their pitching reserves. In a recent move to bolster their staff, they claimed Brent Honeywell off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Workhorses in a Modern Era
Despite the depth issues faced by many teams, a few pitchers have managed to shoulder substantial workloads. Last season, only five pitchers reached the 200-inning threshold, including standouts Logan Webb, Zac Gallen, and Gerrit Cole. This year, Logan Gilbert leads the league with 132 1/3 innings pitched, followed closely by Seth Lugo at 127 innings and Logan Webb at 124 1/3 innings.
Rising Stars: Nolan Schanuel and Chris Cortez
Rookies also continue to make waves in the league. Nolan Schanuel, notably, has made his MLB debut the same year he was drafted — an achievement last seen with Garrett Crochet in 2020. Another young talent to watch is Chris Cortez, who is expected to break into the big leagues this season. Cortez has already posted impressive numbers at Texas A&M, with a 2.78 ERA and 107 strikeouts in 64 2/3 innings.
As the trade deadline approaches and teams scramble to fortify their rosters, the stage is set for an exciting second half of the season. Whether it's the surging Cardinals and Astros, the beleaguered Blue Jays, or the record-chasing De La Cruz, this MLB season promises plenty of fireworks down the stretch.