The excitement of the baseball season continues to build as the 2024 MLB All-Star Game and draft have drawn to a close, setting the stage for a highly anticipated trade deadline just two weeks away. Teams are now gearing up for the decisive second half of the season, and several clubs have showcased remarkable performances since May 11.
Among them, the St. Louis Cardinals have stood out with the best record in the National League over this period, posting an impressive 35-22 (.614) performance. This surge, however, still sees them trailing their division rivals, the Milwaukee Brewers, by 4.5 games. The Brewers, holding a 55-42 record, have had the upper hand against the Cardinals this season, leading their series 6-1.
Other teams have also displayed formidable consistency since May 11. The Philadelphia Phillies have turned in a 34-22 (.607) record, while the Houston Astros have impressed with a 36-21 (.632) streak. Matching the Cardinals' winning percentage, the Cleveland Guardians have gone 34-21 in the same span, proving themselves as strong contenders in their respective division races.
Blue Jays' Struggles and Prospects
On the flip side, the Toronto Blue Jays have had a challenging season. Struggling with a 44-52 record, they find themselves 9.5 games out of a wild-card spot. This tough situation has resulted in FanGraphs projecting their postseason odds at a mere 1.8%. Toronto must now dig deep and muster a significant turnaround to defy these bleak prospects.
Elly De La Cruz: A Stealing Phenomenon
Meanwhile, Elly De La Cruz emerges as one of the season's standout performers. Leading MLB with 46 stolen bases as we hit the All-Star break, De La Cruz is on pace to steal an astonishing 78 bases by season's end. This potential milestone would see him emulate José Reyes' feat from 2007, putting him among the elite base stealers of recent decades, such as Ronald Acuña Jr., who swiped 73 bases last year, and the legends like Rickey Henderson and Vince Coleman, with 93 and 109 stolen bases in 1988 and 1987, respectively.
Dodgers' Pitching Woes
The Los Angeles Dodgers, a team perennially in the championship conversation, have faced a litany of injuries to their pitching staff. Key starters like Walker Buehler, Tyler Glasnow, Tony Gonsolin, and Clayton Kershaw have spent significant time sidelined. In a bid to bolster their rotation, the Dodgers recently claimed Brent Honeywell off waivers from the Pirates. This season has seen the Dodgers utilize 31 different pitchers, underlining the depth of their pitching struggles.
Workhorse Pitchers of the Season
Across the league, only a select few pitchers have emerged as true workhorses. Last season, the 200-inning club was an exclusive group featuring Logan Webb, Zac Gallen, and Gerrit Cole. This year, Logan Gilbert leads the way with 132 1/3 innings pitched, closely followed by Seth Lugo with 127 innings and Logan Webb at 124 1/3 innings. Their ability to consistently deliver deep outings has been crucial for their respective teams.
Emerging Talents
The 2024 season has also seen exciting new talents make an impact. Nolan Schanuel made headlines as the first player to make his MLB debut in the same year he was drafted since Garrett Crochet in 2020. Similarly, Chris Cortez is expected to break into the major leagues this year. Cortez's impressive stint at Texas A&M, where he posted a 2.78 ERA and 107 strikeouts in 64 2/3 innings, has generated significant anticipation for his arrival in the big leagues.
As the trade deadline approaches, teams will be keen to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses, making strategic moves to bolster their postseason aspirations. With so many narratives unfolding, the second half of the season promises to be as thrilling and unpredictable as ever, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.