We have reached the ultimate month of the 2024 MLB season and no group has established itself as actually elite, which is organising an enchanting end to a number of playoff races.
Whereas some groups are counting on their high performers to proceed their success in hopes of clinching a playoff spot, others are hoping to see underperforming stars regain their type rapidly. With that in thoughts, listed here are 10 gamers who might make all of the distinction in MLB’s playoff races because the common season nears its finish.
(All statistics and data are by Sunday’s video games.)
Outfielder Corbin Carroll, Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona stays within the thick of each the Nationwide League West and wild-card races regardless of the absence of stars Ketel Marte and Christian Walker, largely as a result of Carroll’s current heroics. Any considerations about Carroll nonetheless feeling the results of final season’s shoulder damage ought to now not exist, contemplating he is been one of many hottest hitters within the NL over the previous two months.
Since July 1, Carroll has hit 17 of his 19 house runs and picked up 41 of his 64 RBI this season whereas producing a slash line of .258/.333/.611. With Walker and Marte doubtlessly returning this week, the Diamondbacks might nonetheless be a menace to win the NL West crown if Carroll can proceed his torrid tempo.
Proper-hander Gerrit Cole, New York Yankees
Cole, the reigning American League Cy Younger Award winner, missed the primary two-and-a-half months of the season with a proper elbow damage. Whereas he is gotten shelled in just a few outings since his return, Cole continues to look sharper with every passing begin. After having a 4.91 ERA in July, the 33-year-old rebounded properly in August, posting a 1.93 ERA with 31 strikeouts in 5 begins.
Contemplating New York’s beginning rotation has the Thirteenth-worst ERA since Aug. 1 (4.52), Cole will must be a workhorse over his remaining handful of begins to assist make sure the group hangs onto its division lead.
First baseman Pete Alonso, New York Mets
The approaching free agent hasn’t had the contract yr he envisioned, as Alonso has posted a career-low .469 slugging share to go together with his 30 house runs and 76 RBI. Even so, the four-time All-Star has proven indicators of heating up over the past month, together with his eight homers since Aug. 1 rating eleventh within the majors throughout that span. If Alonso can put all of it collectively on the plate, notably when runners are in scoring place, the Mets might safe the ultimate NL wild-card spot and enter the postseason with one of many deepest lineups in baseball.
Infielder Royce Lewis, Minnesota Twins
The oft-injured Lewis has been underwhelming by his requirements since getting back from a proper adductor pressure on July 26, batting .232 with six homers and 25 RBI over his final 33 video games. Nonetheless, Lewis’ go-ahead three-run homer in Sunday’s 4-3 win towards Toronto may counsel he is turning the nook on the proper time, which might significantly profit Minnesota’s probabilities within the American League Central race.
When wholesome, Lewis is undoubtedly a high participant in MLB, having hit .286 with 33 homers and 100 RBI in 127 profession video games. Assuming his current energy surge is right here to remain, Lewis could possibly be one of the crucial impactful hitters within the majors throughout the season’s remaining month.
Outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr., San Diego Padres
All-Star rookie Jackson Merrill deserves consideration after a stellar exhibiting in August, although Tatis’ efficiency in September might make the largest distinction within the NL West race for the Padres. The star outfielder has been out since June 21 with a stress response in his proper femur however is being activated from the injured listing forward of Monday’s collection opener towards Detroit. Previous to the damage, Tatis was having fun with his finest season since 2021, slashing .279/.354/.468 with 14 house runs, 36 RBI and eight stolen bases in 80 video games.
First baseman Matt Olson, Atlanta Braves
Regardless of being decimated by accidents, the Braves enter Monday’s motion with a one-game lead over the Mets for the ultimate NL wild-card spot. Olson, a two-time All-Star, didn’t construct on final season’s top-five end in MVP balloting and whereas he has largely been a disappointment, it is price noting he is coming off his finest month of 2024. Along with posting a formidable .911 OPS, Olson collected 18 of his 57 extra-base hits this season in August.
Shortstop Gunnar Henderson, Baltimore Orioles
If the Orioles intend to overhaul the Yankees for the AL East lead, they’re going to want extra from the slumping Henderson. The reigning AL Rookie of the 12 months carried out like an MVP candidate within the first half of the season, hitting 28 homers and driving in 63 runs, however he has struggled dramatically for the reason that All-Star break. Over his final 41 video games, Henderson is batting simply .253 with 5 house runs and 17 RBI.
Proper-hander Seth Lugo, Kansas Metropolis Royals
Though star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. is having an MVP-caliber season, there’s not way more the 24-year-old can do to assist Kansas Metropolis stay within the AL Central hunt. Whereas the bullpen is the largest X-factor down the stretch, most of the Royals’ issues could be masked if Lugo is extra constant than he has been over the past two months.
Regardless of rating third within the majors in wins (14) and tenth in ERA (3.12), Lugo hasn’t been notably efficient in his final 10 begins, posting a 4.86 ERA with 50 strikeouts. Nonetheless, Lugo’s efficiency in final Friday’s 3-2 loss to Houston, throughout which he allowed only one run and racked up 9 strikeouts in seven innings, gives optimism that he is regaining his All-Star type.
Outfielder Steven Kwan, Cleveland Guardians
It wasn’t way back that Kwan was sporting a .396 batting common. Sadly, the All-Star outfielder is hitting simply .204 with 33 hits, 4 house runs and 14 RBI since the midsummer break, leading to his batting common dipping to .298 on the season. With solely 3.5 video games separating Cleveland from Kansas Metropolis and Minnesota within the AL Central standings, the Guardians desperately want Kwan to offer extra stability from the leadoff spot.
Outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, Chicago Cubs
With a seven % likelihood to make the postseason, in line with FanGraphs, the Cubs are nonetheless an extended shot within the NL wild-card race, although they’re making issues fascinating, thanks partly to Crow-Armstrong’s emergence. Over his final 27 video games, the previous first-round decide is slashing .330/.386/.560 with 4 house runs, 17 RBI and 6 stolen bases whereas posting a 158 wRC+, the Twenty second-highest within the majors in that span.
