A High-Stakes Finale: The MLB Regular Season Winds Down
As the final week of the 2024 MLB regular season reaches its climax, the intensity of each game is palpable. With postseason berths and individual awards on the line, players and teams are making their final pushes for glory.
Tommy Edman’s Late-Season Surge
Amidst this high-octane environment, Tommy Edman of the Los Angeles Dodgers has been turning heads. In his last 15 games leading into Tuesday, Edman has showcased a remarkable blend of power and speed, hitting six home runs and stealing three bases.
Edman's journey this season has been far from ordinary. Having joined the Dodgers from the Cardinals as part of the three-team Erick Fedde trade involving the White Sox, Edman faced significant hurdles early on. He underwent offseason wrist surgery and later suffered an ankle injury during his rehab assignment, sidelining him for a substantial portion of the season. Remarkably, he hadn’t seen any game action until his recent electrifying burst.
In just 31 games with the Dodgers, Edman has slashed a respectable .265/.310/.470. This performance has been even more impressive over his last 23 games, boasting a .284/.333/.523 line. His versatility on the field has seen him starting in center field, shortstop, and second base, contributing to a 1.0 WAR.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed his admiration for Edman’s impact, stating, “Really surprised with the power. I know that he has an apt to put the barrel on the ball. Certainly versatile defensively. But in the batter's box, he just really takes good at-bats. He's hit six or seven homers for us already in a short period of time and they all seem like they were big. He's gotten a lot of big hits for us.”
Cedric Mullins’ Resurgence
Meanwhile, Cedric Mullins of the Baltimore Orioles has experienced a roller-coaster season. On June 8th, he struggled with a .170/.221/.301 slash line, facing significant criticism and doubt. However, Mullins turned his season around with an overall .228/.299/.404 slash and 18 home runs.
His positive trajectory is evident with a 2.4 WAR over his last 85 games, a stark contrast to the minus-0.4 WAR from the first 57 games. Reflecting on his revival, Mullins shared, “I think the biggest part was for me to stop chasing that season (30-30 in 2021). That season was awesome, but at the same time, I think the reason I'm putting up numbers that are similar to it is because I'm no longer chasing that guy. I'm just being who I am.”
The Tigers' Playoff Push
Elsewhere in the league, the Detroit Tigers stand on the cusp of securing a wild-card spot, marking their first potential playoff appearance since 2014. Their current roster is notable for its youthful energy, with six of Tuesday’s starting nine position players being 24 years old or younger.
The Tigers have shown resilience and adaptability, particularly following the season-ending hip injury to star shortstop Javier Báez on August 22. Trey Sweeney stepped in to fill the void, establishing himself as the starting shortstop for 29 of the subsequent 32 games. Acquired in the Jack Flaherty trade with the Dodgers, Sweeney's background as a former first-round pick by the Yankees in 2021 has set high expectations.
Sweeney’s performance has not disappointed. With a .267/.345/.450 slash line in Triple-A this year, coupled with 15 home runs and 20 steals in 107 games, he has cemented his place in the Tigers’ infield. Furthermore, the recent call-up of top prospect Jackson Jobe speaks to the depth and promise of the Tigers' farm system.
As the 2024 MLB regular season draws to a close, fans can expect a thrilling finale filled with dramatic plays, standout individual performances, and the relentless pursuit of postseason glory.