The conclusion of the 2024 MLB All-Star Game and draft has set the stage for the next pivotal moment in the baseball calendar: the trade deadline, which is now less than two weeks away. The league is seeing intense competition, especially among the National League's top teams.
Cardinals Surge in National League
Since May 11, the St. Louis Cardinals have posted the best record in the National League, boasting a 35-22 (.614) performance. This impressive streak has brought their season record to 50-46. Despite their strong performance, the Cardinals find themselves trailing the Milwaukee Brewers by 4.5 games. The Brewers, holding a 55-42 record, have been formidable opponents, particularly against St. Louis, leading the season series 6-1.
Other teams have also had noteworthy performances since May 11. The Philadelphia Phillies sport a 34-22 (.607) record, the Houston Astros have gone 36-21 (.632), and the Cleveland Guardians have matched the Cardinals with a 34-21 record and an identical .618 winning percentage. As the trade deadline nears, these teams will undoubtedly look to bolster their rosters for the stretch run.
Blue Jays' Struggles
Meanwhile, in the American League, the Toronto Blue Jays face an uphill battle. With a 44-52 record, they sit 9.5 games out of a wild-card spot. According to FanGraphs, their postseason odds are a slim 1.8%, signaling the need for a substantial turnaround if they hope to play in October.
Elly De La Cruz: The Speedster
One player making headlines this season is Elly De La Cruz, who leads MLB with 46 stolen bases entering the All-Star break. With 97 games played, De La Cruz is on pace to steal 78 bases by season's end. This potential achievement puts him in elite company, as José Reyes stole 78 bases in 2007, Ronald Acuña Jr. swiped 73 last year, Rickey Henderson stole 93 in 1988, and Vince Coleman dazzled with 109 steals in 1987.
Dodgers' Pitching Woes
The Los Angeles Dodgers have faced significant challenges on the mound this season. Injuries to key starters such as Walker Buehler, Tyler Glasnow, Tony Gonsolin, and Clayton Kershaw have tested the team's depth and resilience. To aid their depleted pitching staff, the Dodgers claimed Brent Honeywell off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates. So far this year, Los Angeles has utilized 31 different pitchers in their quest to stay competitive.
Across the league, managing a pitching staff has proven difficult. In the previous season, only five pitchers reached the 200-inning mark. This year's leaders include Logan Gilbert, who has logged 132 1/3 innings, Seth Lugo with 127 innings, and Logan Webb at 124 1/3 innings. The demand for reliable arms continues to be a high priority for contending teams, especially as wear and tear affect rotations and bullpens alike.
New Faces in the Big Leagues
The influx of new talent is always a focal point post-draft, and this year is no exception. Nolan Schanuel recently made headlines by becoming the first player to debut in the MLB the same year he was drafted since Garrett Crochet did it in 2020. Another player to watch is Chris Cortez, who is anticipated to break into the major leagues this year. Cortez has been dominant at Texas A&M, where he posted a 2.78 ERA and 107 strikeouts in 64 2/3 innings.
As the MLB season marches past its midpoint, teams are jockeying for position, looking for that extra edge to make a postseason push. With key dates approaching and players emerging as either trade targets or potential future stars, the excitement and drama of baseball continue to captivate fans everywhere.
Stay tuned as the season progresses, with the trade deadline set to bring seismic shifts across the league, shaping the battles yet to come.