Cardinals' Resilience Keeps NL Central Race Tight
As the dust from the 2024 MLB All-Star Game and draft settles, the league finds itself buzzing with activity ahead of the rapidly approaching trade deadline, set to arrive in less than two weeks. Amidst the flurry, the St. Louis Cardinals are making headlines with their impressive climb in the standings since May 11.
Boasting a 35-22 record (.614) in that span, the Cardinals have emerged as a formidable force in the National League. Despite this remarkable performance, they trail the Milwaukee Brewers by 4.5 games, holding a 50-46 record to the Brewers' 55-42. The Cardinals' persistent chase is highlighted by their standout stat since mid-May, drawing comparisons with the best teams in baseball during the same period. The Philadelphia Phillies (34-22, .607), Houston Astros (36-21, .632), and Cleveland Guardians (34-21, .618) have all exhibited similar excellence.
However, the Brewers have maintained their edge, leading the season series against the Cardinals 6-1. This critical advantage underscores the intense competition within the division as both teams vie for supremacy.
Blue Jays' Playoff Hopes Dwindle
Meanwhile, the Toronto Blue Jays find themselves in a more precarious position. With a 44-52 record, they are 9.5 games out of a wild-card spot. FanGraphs projects Toronto's postseason odds at a meager 1.8%, a statistic that casts a shadow over their playoff ambitions. The Blue Jays will need a dramatic turnaround to revive their season and secure a spot in October.
The Speed of Elly De La Cruz
On an individual level, Cincinnati Reds' Elly De La Cruz is turning heads with his blazing speed on the basepaths. Leading MLB with 46 stolen bases entering the All-Star break, De La Cruz is on pace to swipe 78 bases by season's end. This projection brings to mind past speed demons: José Reyes stole 78 bases in 2007, Ronald Acuña Jr. logged 73 last year, Rickey Henderson nabbed 93 in 1988, and Vince Coleman’s astonishing 109 steals in 1987. If De La Cruz maintains his pace, he will join the annals of baseball's elite baserunners.
Dodgers' Pitching Carousel
In Los Angeles, the Dodgers have navigated a tumultuous season marked by injuries to key starters like Walker Buehler, Tyler Glasnow, Tony Gonsolin, and Clayton Kershaw. The relentless injuries have led the Dodgers to utilize a staggering 31 pitchers this season. In a strategic move, they claimed Brent Honeywell off waivers from the Pirates, hoping to bolster their beleaguered rotation.
Across the league, only five pitchers achieved the 200-inning milestone last season, including Logan Webb, Zac Gallen, and Gerrit Cole. This season, it's Logan Gilbert leading the charge with 132 1/3 innings, closely followed by Seth Lugo and Logan Webb, who have pitched 127 and 124 1/3 innings, respectively. These workhorses exemplify the demands placed on starting pitchers in today's game.
Rookies Making Waves
The infusion of young talent into MLB continues to captivate fans and analysts alike. Nolan Schanuel made headlines by debuting in the majors the same year he was drafted, a feat last accomplished by Garrett Crochet in 2020. Looking ahead, Chris Cortez is another name poised to break into the major leagues this year. Cortez posted a 2.78 ERA and notched 107 strikeouts in 64 2/3 innings at Texas A&M, showcasing his promise as a future big-league contributor.
With the trade deadline looming and several teams jostling for playoff positions, the next few weeks promise no shortage of drama and excitement in the MLB. Fans can only watch and wonder how the storylines will unfold as the race to October intensifies.