2024 ARCHIVE

August MLB Update

As we enter the final stretch of the MLB regular season, August has been a month of intense competition across all divisions, with several teams making significant moves while others struggle to keep up.

AL East Division

The AL East remains one of the most competitive divisions in baseball. The New York Yankees hold a narrow lead with a 79-58 record, just one game ahead of the Baltimore Orioles, who have matched the Yankees with 79 wins but have played one more game. Both teams are on track for around 96 wins, making their upcoming series crucial in determining the division champion. The Boston Red Sox, currently 9 games back, still have an outside shot at a Wild Card spot but are unlikely to challenge for the division title. The Toronto Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Rays are falling out of contention, with the Rays struggling to stay above .500.

AL Central Division

The Cleveland Guardians continue to hold a slim lead in the AL Central with a 78-59 record, but the race is far from over. The Kansas City Royals are just 1.5 games back, and the Minnesota Twins, though slightly behind, remain in contention. The Guardians' strong performance has been one of the surprises of the season, as they outpace their preseason projections. Meanwhile, the Detroit Tigers, playing .500 ball, remain within striking distance, but the Chicago White Sox are out of the picture with a disappointing 107 losses.

AL West Division

In the AL West, the Houston Astros have solidified their position at the top with a 75-62 record, holding a 7-game lead over the Seattle Mariners. The Mariners, though inconsistent, are still fighting for a Wild Card spot. The Texas Rangers, 9.5 games back, are also in the Wild Card mix but need to string together wins to stay competitive. Unfortunately, the Oakland Athletics and Los Angeles Angels have fallen out of contention, with the Angels already 31.5 games back.

NL East Division

The Philadelphia Phillies are in control of the NL East, leading with an 81-56 record. The Atlanta Braves, now 5 games back, have lost some momentum but remain in the playoff race. The New York Mets are riding a recent winning streak, making a push for a Wild Card spot. The Washington Nationals and Miami Marlins, however, have been eliminated from playoff contention.

NL Central Division

The Milwaukee Brewers have maintained their stronghold on the NL Central with an 80-57 record. The Chicago Cubs, 7 games behind, are battling for a Wild Card spot, but their chances are slim. The St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds are both 9.5 games back and need a strong finish to challenge Milwaukee. The Pittsburgh Pirates, continuing a difficult season, are out of the race.

NL West Division

The Los Angeles Dodgers remain at the top of the NL West with an 82-55 record. The Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres are both within 3 games of the Dodgers, making for an exciting race. The San Francisco Giants are out of the division race but remain in contention for a Wild Card spot. The Colorado Rockies, with 87 losses, are far out of the picture.

American League Wild Card Race

The AL Wild Card race is heating up, with the Baltimore Orioles and Minnesota Twins currently holding the top spots. The Kansas City Royals and Seattle Mariners are close behind, while the Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers are still in the hunt. The Rays and Blue Jays have faded, but with a strong finish, they could still challenge for a postseason berth.

National League Wild Card Race

The NL Wild Card race is just as intense, with the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres leading the charge. The Atlanta Braves and New York Mets are close behind, with the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals also in the mix. This race is shaping up to be one of the most thrilling finishes in recent years.

Key Matchups in September

As the season heads into its final month, several key matchups will likely determine playoff positioning. The Yankees and Orioles face off in a series that could decide the AL East. In the NL, the Phillies and Braves have a critical series that could shift the balance in the NL East. The Diamondbacks and Padres also have pivotal games against each other that could determine who secures a Wild Card spot.

With only a few weeks left in the regular season, every game counts as teams push towards the playoffs. September promises to deliver high-stakes baseball as teams vie for their spot in October.

AL East Division

The New York Yankees continue to hold the top spot in the AL East, but the Baltimore Orioles are close behind, just one game back. With both teams battling it out, the upcoming series between the Yankees and Orioles will be crucial in determining who takes the division. The Red Sox, currently in third place, will need a strong finish to have any chance of catching up. The Rays and Blue Jays are further back, but both teams still have an outside shot at a Wild Card spot.

AL Central Division

The Cleveland Guardians are holding onto a slim lead in the AL Central, with the Kansas City Royals just one game behind. The Twins remain within striking distance as well, making this a three-team race as we enter the final month of the season. The Tigers, despite being out of the division race, are playing spoiler and have been on a strong run lately, winning six of their last eight games.

AL West Division

The Houston Astros have established a comfortable lead in the AL West, but the Mariners and Rangers are still battling it out for the second spot. The Mariners' recent surge has brought them within striking distance of a Wild Card spot, while the Rangers' struggles continue as they sit 13 games back. The Athletics and Angels have been eliminated from postseason contention.

NL East Division

The Philadelphia Phillies have maintained their lead in the NL East, but the Braves are not far behind, trailing by five games. The Mets, despite being out of the division race, are still in the Wild Card hunt. With the Braves facing the Phillies in a crucial series next week, the division could still be up for grabs. The Nationals and Marlins are well out of contention.

NL Central Division

The Milwaukee Brewers are holding strong at the top of the NL Central, but the Cubs and Cardinals are still within reach. The Cubs' recent hot streak has brought them to within six games of the Brewers, while the Cardinals have struggled, losing four of their last five games. The Reds and Pirates are both out of contention.

NL West Division

The Los Angeles Dodgers have a firm grip on the NL West, but the Diamondbacks and Padres are battling it out for second place. With both teams vying for a Wild Card spot, every game counts. The Giants are still mathematically in the race but will need a miracle to catch up. The Rockies have been eliminated from postseason contention.

American League Wild Card Race

The Wild Card race in the AL is heating up with the Orioles and Royals currently holding the top spots. The Twins and Red Sox are all within striking distance, making this one of the most exciting races to watch down the stretch. The Rays and Blue Jays are still in the hunt but will need a strong finish to secure a spot.

National League Wild Card Race

In the NL, the Diamondbacks and Padres hold the top two Wild Card spots, with the Braves and Mets close behind. The Cubs and Giants are still in contention but will need to string together some wins to keep their postseason hopes alive. The Cardinals' recent struggles have put them on the outside looking in, and they will need a strong finish to get back into the race.

Interesting Games Today

Several games today have significant postseason implications. The Braves vs. Phillies matchup is crucial, as the Braves are looking to close the gap in the NL East while the Phillies aim to maintain their division lead. The Padres vs. Rays game also holds importance, with both teams fighting for Wild Card spots in their respective leagues. Additionally, the Dodgers face the Diamondbacks in a game that could solidify the Dodgers' hold on the NL West while the Diamondbacks aim to stay ahead in the Wild Card race. The Royals vs. Astros and Mariners vs. Angels games are also key, as the Royals and Mariners look to strengthen their positions in the AL Wild Card race.

Last Night's Scores

• Milwaukee Brewers 5, Cincinnati Reds 4 (10 innings)
• San Diego Padres 13, Tampa Bay Rays 5
• Kansas City Royals 2, Houston Astros 3
• Miami Marlins 1, San Francisco Giants 3
• Milwaukee Brewers 14, Cincinnati Reds 0
• Boston Red Sox 7, Detroit Tigers 5 (10 innings)
• St. Louis Cardinals 6, New York Yankees 3
• Pittsburgh Pirates 8, Cleveland Guardians 10
• Oakland Athletics 9, Texas Rangers 2
• Baltimore Orioles 5, Colorado Rockies 3
• Seattle Mariners 9, Los Angeles Angels 5
• Los Angeles Dodgers 10, Arizona Diamondbacks 9
• Atlanta Braves 7, Philadelphia Phillies 2
• Chicago Cubs 7, Washington Nationals 6
• New York Mets 5, Chicago White Sox 1

Today's Fixtures

• Cardinals vs Yankees (1:05 PM)
• Cubs vs Nationals (4:05 PM)
• Padres vs Rays (4:10 PM)
• Pirates vs Guardians (7:05 PM)
• Mets vs White Sox (7:10 PM)
• Braves vs Phillies (7:15 PM)
• Dodgers vs Diamondbacks (8:10 PM)
• Athletics vs Rangers (7:05 PM)
• Royals vs Astros (7:10 PM)
• Orioles vs Rockies (8:10 PM)
• Mariners vs Angels (9:05 PM)

AL East Division

The New York Yankees remain in control of the AL East, holding a narrow lead over the Baltimore Orioles. The Yankees are at 78-56, while the Orioles are just a game behind at 77-57. Both teams are showing signs of fatigue, with the Yankees losing to the Nationals 5-2 yesterday. The Red Sox remain a distant third but are still in the mix, while the Rays and Blue Jays continue to struggle, further distancing themselves from playoff contention.

AL Central Division

The Cleveland Guardians have maintained their slim lead in the AL Central at 76-58, followed closely by the Kansas City Royals at 75-59. The Twins are still in contention but are beginning to fall back. Cleveland suffered a setback with a 7-5 loss to the Royals, putting the division lead at risk. The Tigers and White Sox have effectively fallen out of the race.

AL West Division

The Houston Astros are on top of the AL West with a 71-62 record, holding a narrow lead over the Mariners, who are at 68-66. The Astros had a commanding 10-0 victory over the Phillies, solidifying their position. Meanwhile, the Rangers, Athletics, and Angels continue to struggle, with no significant improvements in recent games.

NL East Division

The Philadelphia Phillies have taken a firm grip on the NL East, leading with a 78-55 record. The Braves, now 5 games back, are still in the race but have lost momentum, including a 5-1 defeat against the Twins. The Mets, despite winning 5-2 over the Diamondbacks, remain in third place and are battling for a Wild Card spot. The Nationals and Marlins continue to fall behind.

NL Central Division

The Milwaukee Brewers are holding onto their lead in the NL Central with a 76-56 record, followed closely by the Cubs at 68-66. The Brewers are facing strong competition, and yesterday's 5-3 loss to the Giants hasn't helped their cause. The Cardinals, Reds, and Pirates are still in the running but need a strong finish to challenge Milwaukee.

NL West Division

The Los Angeles Dodgers lead the NL West with a 79-54 record, holding off the Diamondbacks, who are close behind at 76-57. The Dodgers lost 6-4 to the Orioles, but their strong overall season keeps them in the top spot. The Padres are also in contention, while the Giants and Rockies lag far behind.

American League Wild Card Race

In the AL Wild Card race, the Orioles and Mariners currently hold the top spots, with the Royals just behind. The Red Sox and Tigers are still within striking distance, but the Rays and Blue Jays are fading quickly. Yesterday's losses for the Rays and Blue Jays further damaged their chances.

National League Wild Card Race

The NL Wild Card race remains tight, with the Diamondbacks and Padres leading the charge. The Braves are still in contention despite their recent struggles. The Cubs, Giants, and Mets are also in the mix, making this one of the most competitive Wild Card races in recent years.

AL East Division

The Yankees are leading the AL East with a 78-55 record and a .586 win percentage, keeping the Orioles just behind them with a 77-56 record and .579 percentage. The Red Sox remain in contention with a 68-64 record, while the Rays and Blue Jays are falling behind in the race with records of 66-66 and 65-69, respectively.

AL Central Division

The Guardians continue to lead the AL Central at 75-58, narrowly ahead of the Royals and Twins, both tied with a 72-60 record. The Royals have had an impressive run and are on a three-game win streak, while the Tigers remain in the mix at 67-66.

AL West Division

The Astros hold the lead with a 70-62 record, though their win percentage has slightly dipped to .534. The Mariners remain competitive at 67-65, just behind them. The Rangers and Athletics are both struggling with records of 60-71 and 57-75, respectively, while the Angels languish at 54-78.

NL East Division

The Phillies maintain a strong hold in the NL East with a 78-54 record, closely followed by the Braves at 72-60. The Mets, at 69-63, are still in contention, while the Nationals and Marlins are far behind in the standings.

NL Central Division

The Brewers continue to lead the NL Central with a 75-56 record. The Cubs, Cardinals, and Reds are all vying for a wild card spot, but the Brewers are solidifying their division lead.

NL West Division

The Dodgers are still on top of the NL West with a 78-54 record, maintaining a decent lead over the Diamondbacks (75-57) and Padres (76-58). The Giants are falling behind with a 67-66 record, while the Rockies are languishing with a 49-84 record.

American League Wild Card Race

The Orioles and Royals are holding on to the top wild card spots in the AL, while the Mariners, Tigers, and Red Sox remain within striking distance. The Rays and Blue Jays are still fighting to keep their postseason hopes alive, but they will need a strong finish.

National League Wild Card Race

In the NL, the Diamondbacks and Padres are leading the wild card race, with the Braves close behind. The Cubs, Giants, and Cardinals are all within reach of a wild card spot as well, but the competition remains fierce.

AL East Division

The New York Yankees remain at the top of the AL East with a 78-54 record, following their 5-2 victory over the Washington Nationals. The Orioles are keeping the pressure on with a 76-56 record but took a 4-3 loss to the Kansas City Royals. The Red Sox, despite their 7-3 defeat to the Toronto Blue Jays, are holding third place with a 67-64 record. Meanwhile, the Rays lost 5-1 to the Seattle Mariners and sit at 65-66.

AL Central Division

The Cleveland Guardians lead the AL Central with a 75-57 record, after suffering a 4-3 loss to the Kansas City Royals. Kansas City is closely trailing with a 74-58 record, and the Twins remain in third place at 72-59 after a 10-6 loss to the Atlanta Braves. The Tigers continue to climb after a 6-3 win against the Chicago White Sox.

AL West Division

The Houston Astros hold the top spot in the AL West with a 70-61 record, despite a 3-2 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies in 10 innings. The Mariners, at 67-65, continue to apply pressure after their 5-1 win over the Rays. The Rangers, struggling at 60-71, remain out of playoff contention.

NL East Division

The Phillies, with a 77-54 record, maintain control of the NL East following a dramatic 3-2 win over the Astros. The Braves, now at 71-60, had a huge 10-6 victory over the Twins, keeping them in second place. The Mets are hanging on to third at 68-63, after taking a day off from play.

NL Central Division

The Brewers remain at the top of the NL Central with a 75-55 record. The Cubs, who crushed the Pirates 18-8, are now at 66-66, closing the gap. St. Louis follows with a 65-66 record after a 7-6 defeat to the Padres. Cincinnati and Pittsburgh continue to struggle.

NL West Division

The Dodgers are leading the NL West with a 78-53 record. The Diamondbacks, at 75-56, continue to chase them closely after a 7-5 win over the Red Sox. The Padres improved to 74-58 with a 7-6 win over the Cardinals, keeping them in the Wild Card hunt.

American League Wild Card Race

The Orioles and Royals currently hold the top AL Wild Card spots, while the Twins are battling to stay in contention. The Mariners' win over the Rays gives them a slight edge, while Boston's loss to Toronto puts them at risk of falling further behind.

National League Wild Card Race

The Diamondbacks and Padres are in control of the NL Wild Card race, followed by the Braves. The Mets remain in the mix despite a day off, while the Cubs' strong performance against the Pirates helps them stay in the race.

AL East Division

The New York Yankees extended their lead in the AL East with a dominant 10-3 victory over the Colorado Rockies. The Yankees now sit at 77-54, while the Orioles remain close behind at 76-56 after a 6-3 loss to the Houston Astros. The Red Sox fell to the Diamondbacks 7-5, placing further distance between themselves and the division leaders.

AL Central Division

The Cleveland Guardians secured a 4-2 win over the Texas Rangers, holding steady at the top of the AL Central with a 75-55 record. Kansas City lost 11-3 to the Phillies, leaving them tied with the Twins at 72-58. The Tigers had an explosive 9-4 win against the White Sox, solidifying their place ahead of the struggling Chicago team.

AL West Division

The Houston Astros beat the Baltimore Orioles 6-3 to maintain their lead in the AL West with a 70-60 record. The Mariners, at 66-65, need to rebound quickly to stay in contention. The Rangers continue to struggle, losing 4-2 to the Guardians, leaving them at 60-71.

NL East Division

The Phillies extended their lead in the NL East after an 11-3 victory over the Royals, improving their record to 76-54. The Braves, however, suffered a 5-1 loss to the Nationals and are now 70-60, trailing Philadelphia by six games.

NL Central Division

The Brewers' lead in the NL Central remains solid, despite a 3-2 loss to the Athletics. Milwaukee holds a 75-55 record. The Cardinals and Cubs are both at 65-66, following a 3-2 loss by St. Louis to the Twins and a 7-2 defeat for Chicago at the hands of the Marlins.

NL West Division

The Dodgers defeated the Rays 3-1 to improve to 78-53 and extend their lead in the NL West. The Diamondbacks, at 75-56, secured a 7-5 win over the Red Sox, keeping pace with the Dodgers, while the Padres remain competitive after a 3-2 victory over the Mets, improving to 74-58.

American League Wild Card Race

The Orioles and Royals continue to lead the AL Wild Card race, but the Twins, with their win over the Cardinals, are still very much in the hunt. The Red Sox's loss to Arizona puts them at risk of falling out of the race, while the Mariners must quickly find form to challenge for a spot.

National League Wild Card Race

The Diamondbacks and Padres hold the top Wild Card spots, with the Braves and Mets still in contention. San Francisco's 3-2 loss to the Mariners has hurt their chances, leaving them with a must-win situation moving forward to stay in the race.

AL East Division

The New York Yankees have reclaimed the top spot in the AL East with a 75-53 record. The Orioles remain close behind at 74-55, continuing their strong season. Boston, at 67-59, is staying competitive and in the Wild Card hunt. Meanwhile, the Rays have slipped to 64-63, struggling to maintain their form from earlier in the season, while the Blue Jays, at 60-68, are virtually out of contention.

AL Central Division

The Cleveland Guardians lead the AL Central with a 73-54 record, but the Kansas City Royals and Minnesota Twins are both within striking distance at 71-56. All three teams are outperforming expectations, with Kansas City being the surprise contender of the season. The Tigers sit at 62-66, and the White Sox continue their disappointing campaign with a 31-97 record.

AL West Division

The Houston Astros lead the AL West at 69-58 and are showing signs of playoff readiness. The Mariners are keeping pace at 64-64, while the Rangers, Angels, and Athletics are significantly out of contention, with the Rangers and Athletics tied at 55-73.

NL East Division

The Philadelphia Phillies are holding on to first place in the NL East with a 74-53 record, while the Braves, at 68-59, are still fighting to close the gap. The Mets are staying competitive at 65-62, keeping themselves in the Wild Card chase, while the Nationals and Marlins are far from playoff contention.

NL Central Division

The Milwaukee Brewers have the lead in the NL Central with a 73-54 record, ahead of the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs, who are both tied at 63-64. While the Cubs have fallen off in recent weeks, the Cardinals have shown some improvement, positioning themselves as dark-horse contenders for the Wild Card. The Reds and Pirates have struggled to maintain consistency and are falling out of contention.

NL West Division

The Los Angeles Dodgers have built a commanding lead in the NL West, sitting at 76-52, maintaining their top spot in the league power rankings. The Diamondbacks, at 72-56, and the Padres, at 72-57, are right behind and battling for Wild Card spots. Meanwhile, the Giants are at 65-63, still in the race but needing a strong finish to close the gap.

American League Wild Card Race

The Orioles, Royals, and Twins are leading the Wild Card race, with the Red Sox and Mariners in close pursuit. Boston remains a strong contender for the final spot, but Seattle will need to make a push to keep their playoff hopes alive.

National League Wild Card Race

In the NL Wild Card race, the Diamondbacks and Padres are holding the top spots, with the Braves and Mets still in the mix. The Cubs and Giants remain on the outside looking in, but with some key victories, they could close the gap on the current Wild Card leaders.

AL East Division

The Baltimore Orioles have taken the lead in the AL East with a 74-53 record, pulling slightly ahead of the New York Yankees, who are just behind at 73-53. The Red Sox, at 66-59, are still in the Wild Card hunt, while the Rays, with a 63-62 record, need a strong finish to stay competitive. The Blue Jays, at 59-67, are on the outside looking in and will need a miracle to make the playoffs.

AL Central Division

The Cleveland Guardians continue to lead the AL Central with a 73-52 record, holding off the Kansas City Royals and Minnesota Twins, both of whom sit at 70-56. The Guardians are slightly outperforming preseason projections, while the Royals and Twins remain competitive. The Tigers, at 61-65, are likely out of playoff contention, and the White Sox, with a disastrous 30-97 record, have nothing left to play for this season.

AL West Division

The Houston Astros lead the AL West with a 68-57 record, staying ahead of the Seattle Mariners, who are 64-63. The Rangers, Angels, and Athletics are all far behind, with records below .460, and seem out of playoff contention. The Astros are on track to make the postseason, though they are still slightly under preseason expectations.

NL East Division

The Philadelphia Phillies hold a strong lead in the NL East with a 73-52 record, while the Braves, at 67-58, continue to chase them down. The Mets, at 65-60, remain within Wild Card contention but have struggled recently. The Nationals and Marlins are both out of the playoff race.

NL Central Division

The Milwaukee Brewers lead the NL Central with a 73-52 record, on track for 91 wins. The Cubs are well behind at 62-64, with the Cardinals, Reds, and Pirates all close to one another in the standings but unlikely to make the postseason.

NL West Division

The Los Angeles Dodgers are cruising in the NL West with a 75-52 record, staying well ahead of the Padres (72-55) and Diamondbacks (71-56). All three teams are playoff contenders, but the Dodgers are in prime position to take the division crown.

American League Wild Card Race

The Wild Card race in the AL remains tight. The Yankees, Royals, and Twins are the frontrunners, while the Red Sox and Mariners are still fighting to stay in contention. The Rays have faded slightly but could still make a push.

National League Wild Card Race

The Padres and Diamondbacks are leading the NL Wild Card race, with the Braves and Mets still in the mix. The Giants and Reds are also in contention but will need to string together some wins down the stretch.

AL East Division

The New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles remain locked in a fierce battle for the AL East title, with the Yankees slightly ahead at 73-52 and the Orioles just behind at 73-53. Both teams have outpaced their preseason projections and are on track for around 96 wins. The Red Sox, at 65-59, have kept themselves in the Wild Card race, but the Tampa Bay Rays, at 62-62, need to rally quickly to avoid falling further behind. The Blue Jays, at 58-67, have struggled and seem unlikely to make a playoff push this season.

AL Central Division

The Cleveland Guardians have been the standout team in the AL Central, leading the division with a 72-52 record, 20 games above their preseason expectations. The Kansas City Royals and Minnesota Twins are neck and neck at 70-55, both on track for playoff contention, while Detroit is underperforming at 61-64. The White Sox, with a dismal 30-96 record, have long been out of the race and face a challenging rebuild.

AL West Division

The Houston Astros have surged to the top of the AL West with a 68-56 record, making a strong push towards the postseason. The Seattle Mariners, at 62-60, are underperforming compared to preseason projections but are still in the Wild Card hunt. The Texas Rangers, with a disappointing 58-68 record, are falling short of expectations, while the Athletics and Angels round out the division with subpar seasons.

NL East Division

The Philadelphia Phillies hold a strong lead in the NL East with a 73-51 record, well ahead of the 66-58 Atlanta Braves, who are still struggling to find their best form. The Mets, at 65-60, are just 1.5 games out of a Wild Card spot and could make a late-season push. The Nationals and Marlins are far out of playoff contention.

NL Central Division

The Milwaukee Brewers lead the NL Central at 72-52, on pace for 91 wins. The Cardinals, at 62-63, have underperformed and are unlikely to challenge for the division. The Cubs (61-64) and Reds (61-64) remain within Wild Card contention, but time is running out for both teams to make a move.

NL West Division

The Los Angeles Dodgers have pulled ahead in the NL West with a 74-50 record, while the Padres and Diamondbacks are both close behind, with records of 71-55 and 70-56, respectively. All three teams are in the hunt for playoff spots, but the Giants and Rockies have struggled, with the latter far out of contention.

American League Wild Card Race

In the AL Wild Card race, the Orioles and Red Sox are well-positioned to make the playoffs, while the Twins and Royals remain firmly in the mix. The Mariners and Rays are still in contention but must step up their game if they want to secure a spot in October.

National League Wild Card Race

The NL Wild Card race is intense, with the Diamondbacks and Padres holding slight leads, while the Braves and Mets are right on their tails. The Giants and Reds are still within striking distance but will need a strong finish to secure a playoff berth.

AL East Division

The New York Yankees hold a narrow lead with a 73-51 record, followed closely by the Baltimore Orioles at 72-52. Both teams are engaged in a close battle for the division title, with the Yankees showing a +104 run differential. The Boston Red Sox, at 65-57, are seven games back and still pushing for a playoff spot.

AL Central Division

The Minnesota Twins lead the AL Central with a 70-53 record, but the Kansas City Royals are close behind at 68-55. The Royals continue to exceed expectations with a +102 run differential, making the division race one of the most exciting as we head into the final stretch.

AL West Division

The Houston Astros, riding a strong 9-1 streak, hold a 66-56 record, leading the AL West. However, the Seattle Mariners are not far behind, sitting at 63-61. Oakland and Texas are slipping further out of contention.

NL East Division

The Philadelphia Phillies are in control of the NL East with a 73-50 record, holding an 8-game lead over the Atlanta Braves. Philadelphia's +104 run differential shows their dominance, while the Braves remain hopeful of making the postseason with a 65-58 record.

NL Central Division

The Milwaukee Brewers lead the NL Central with a 71-52 record, comfortably ahead of the second-place St. Louis Cardinals, who are 10 games behind. Milwaukee’s +104 run differential has been key to their success this season.

NL West Division

The Los Angeles Dodgers continue to lead the NL West with a 72-52 record. The San Diego Padres are just two games back at 70-54, and the Arizona Diamondbacks follow closely at 69-55. The race for the division title is tightening up as all three teams remain in playoff contention.

American League Wild Card Race

The Minnesota Twins and Kansas City Royals are well-positioned in the AL Wild Card race, with the Boston Red Sox trailing 2.5 games behind. Seattle and Tampa Bay are fighting to keep their postseason hopes alive.

National League Wild Card Race

The San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks are leading the NL Wild Card race, while the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets are not far behind. The competition for a postseason spot is fierce as the season nears its conclusion.

AL East Division

The Baltimore Orioles are currently on track to exceed their pre-season projections by 7 wins, heading for a 96-win season. The New York Yankees, bolstered by Aaron Judge and Juan Soto, are also projected to win 96 games, 14 wins over projections. Both teams are locked in a fierce battle for the division. The Rays, while underperforming, remain in the playoff hunt, and Boston is also projected to hit 88 wins (+22.64), staying competitive. The division is shaping up to be one of the tightest playoff races in baseball.

AL Central Division

The Cleveland Guardians are the breakout team, projected to win 97 games, +19.88 over pre-season predictions. Minnesota is holding steady, on pace for 92 wins (+2.02). Kansas City has been the Cinderella story of the season, on track for 90 wins, a staggering +29.59 above projections. Detroit, though slightly underperforming, remains in contention. Cleveland remains the favorite, but the Royals’ unexpected surge has made the division race much more exciting than anticipated.

AL West Division

The Astros, once far off their pre-season projections, have fought back into playoff contention, now on track for 82 wins despite being -16.54 below expectations. Their resurgence has set up a fascinating battle with the Mariners, who are projected for 85 wins (-8.44). Oakland has outpaced expectations by +15.74, while Texas has been a major disappointment, underperforming by -24.56 wins. This division promises to be a thrilling race to the finish, with Houston and Seattle vying for control.

NL East Division

The Atlanta Braves, once projected for 111 wins, are now tracking for 88 wins (-23.36) and have been struggling as of late. The Phillies, though in a lull, are still expected to finish with 95 wins and remain strong World Series contenders. The Mets are slightly behind expectations but remain in playoff contention with 85 wins projected. The Braves’ downturn has opened the door for the Phillies to take control of the division.

NL Central Division

Milwaukee leads the division but is tracking for 91 wins, -5 below expectations. Cincinnati, led by Elly De La Cruz, is projected for 78 wins (+3.08) and remains competitive. St. Louis and Pittsburgh have exceeded expectations with projected wins of 82 and 82 respectively. The Cubs, projected for 77 wins, remain in the mix. This division is still up for grabs, with Milwaukee having the best shot at the playoffs, but the wild card race remains wide open.

NL West Division

The Dodgers are tracking for 95 wins (-14.39 below projections) but are improving. Arizona is projected for 87 wins (-6.52) and remains a strong playoff contender. San Diego is also projected for 87 wins but has underperformed expectations. San Francisco has outpaced projections with 81 wins projected. The Dodgers are getting back on track, making them a dangerous team come playoff time. Meanwhile, Arizona and San Diego are fighting for wild card positions.

American League Wild Card Race

The wild card race in the AL is heating up. The Yankees and Orioles are likely locked into playoff spots, while the Twins, Royals, and Red Sox are all in contention. The Mariners and Rays are just a few games back, making this a fascinating race. Detroit, Toronto, and Texas are still in the hunt but need a strong finish to push into a wild card spot.

National League Wild Card Race

In the NL, the Diamondbacks and Padres are leading the wild card race, with the Braves close behind. The Mets, Giants, and Reds are all within striking distance, while the Cubs and Cardinals are also fighting for a playoff berth. The Phillies, despite a lull, remain a strong contender for both the division. This promises to be an exciting battle down the stretch.

We’re into July and nearly halfway through the season. We are only around 90 days away from the start of the postseason. According to our last report, several teams have all but guaranteed their spot in the postseason (assuming they carry on more or less at the pace they are going at).

The Contenders

American League
New York Yankees
Cleveland Guardians
Baltimore Orioles
Seattle Mariners

National League
Philadelphia Phillies
Atlanta Braves
Los Angeles Dodgers

American League

In the American League, the divisional leaders are the Orioles who have taken over at the top of the AL East due to winning percentage, but they are pretty much tied at the top with the Yankees. The Guardians are firmly ensconced at the top of the AL Central, leading the Twins and the Royals by 5 games. In the AL West, the Mariners remain at the top, but their lead, which looked almost insurmountable, has been whittled down to just 5 games, although they have two games in hand over the Astros.

It is the Astros who have been the story this month. At one point in April, they were a whopping 50 games below their preseason predictions (based on win-rate). However, since that nadir, they have been trending upwards and are now only 18 games back on their preseason prediction, which was around the 100 wins mark. The Mariners have been steadily trending on prediction over the past month, although they have dipped slightly. It promises to be a fascinating race for the division, although our model has the Mariners as favorites at 87% chance of reaching the postseason and the Astros at only 35%, although some (all) Astros fans will be quick to tell you that they are certainties to make it.

American League Wild Card Race

So how is the Wild Card race shaping up in the AL? The Yankees or Orioles (depends on who wins the division) are home and housed, up 7 games on any challengers. Then the Twins are in there as are the Royals. There are three teams in the chasing pack. The Red Sox are just +0.5, the aforementioned Astros are +3 together with the Rays. All the rest bar.

National League

Over in the National League, the divisional leaders are the Phillies in the NL East, the Brewers in the Central, and the Dodgers over in the West.

The NL East has been dominated by the Braves in recent history. However, since mid-May they have dropped off considerably and are around 20 games below the preseason prediction. They are gently improving since mid-June, but for now they are 8 games back on the Phillies and we have them at only a 12% chance of catching up and winning the division.

In the NL Central, the Brewers are leading the way and are 6.5 games up on their opposition, which sounds great. They have a 99% chance of making the playoffs according to our model and a 95% chance of winning their division. If there is a note of caution, it is that they are slightly dropping off their excellent early season form and are trending towards their preseason average, which was a comfortable divisional victory. The worry is that their graph curves have been trending downwards at a steady rate and have been for two months. If they keep on going at that rate of drop off, then their contenders could well overtake them, although the model suggests that they will be absolutely fine.

Over in the NL West, the Dodgers are heading the division comfortably, as expected. They are 7.5 games ahead of the San Diego Padres. The Diamondbacks are a disappointing 10.5 games back with the Giants 0.5 games further behind. It is actually the Giants and Rockies who are most improved on our preseason projections, both around 10 games up. The Diamondbacks have been improving slightly of late, but are still 10 games off what was expected of them prior to the season beginning. They only have a 15% chance of making the postseason currently.

National League Wild Card Race

It is the Wild Card in the NL which is rather exciting. We are not going to enter into the debate of whether a larger postseason is beneficial to baseball as a whole. One thing which is undeniable is that the race to get to the postseason will keep the NL exciting all the way to the finish line. Currently, the Braves are leading the wildcard race by +3 games. The Cardinals are in the second spot of the three wild card places, and the third place is taken by the Padres currently. There are then 7 teams within 5.5 games of the Cardinals. They are the: Mets, Diamondbacks, Giants, Pirates, Nationals, Reds, and Cubs. We have the Cardinals as most likely to take that final spot at 44% with the Mets close behind at 40%. It then falls off quite dramatically as the Giants only have a 16% chance, with the Diamondbacks at 15%.

World Series Chances

Who’s going to win the World Series? Well, the nature of baseball is such that once we get to the postseason then pretty much anyone can win. As each game of baseball is pretty much 50:50 with small margins of difference, it is pretty much a lottery. This is reflected in the relatively low percentage chance of winning that each team has. The Phillies and Guardians are leading the way with both having a 12% chance of taking the ultimate victory. The Orioles are close behind on 11%, then the Dodgers on 10%. The teams who will most likely get to the postseason then follow from the Brewers, Yankees, Braves, Mariners, and Twins.

The Players

BATTING

There is one man who is putting on quite a show and leads the batting standings. He plays for the Yankees and is called Aaron Judge. He has already hit 30 home runs, which leads the MLB, and also has the most doubles in the MLB. There may be many metrics to measure batters' performance, but we prefer TBO9 which we created to calculate the total output of a batter allowing us to rank them all clearly (see www.threeandtwobaseball.com/rankings for more details). Judge is averaging 8.35 bases per game, which is nearly a whole base clear of Shohei Ohtani in second place. Incidentally, Ohtani has really delivered for his new team this year, and one could also argue is really offering value for his mega-contract he signed. Whether he actually provides good value is an article for another day. Rounding off the top three is a player who arguably has been the catalyst for their team shining so far. While Judge has carried on being brilliant, it is the arrival of Juan Soto to Yankee stadium which has allowed all to flourish, and even allowed Judge to play with greater freedom, knowing that the burden he carries is shared with another brilliant player.

We can’t go through the whole list here, but a few names deserve special mention so far this year, not just for the numbers they are putting up but the context in which they are doing so. Gunnar Henderson is in his second year after a brilliant rookie season and is lighting up Baltimore and leading them to the postseason and a real tilt at the World Series. Bryce Harper is similarly delivering for the Phillies, and for a player who has been in the limelight since the age of 16, what he is doing is very impressive. A couple of youngsters are shining brightly as well: Elly De la Cruz of the Reds is sitting at 6th with a stunning 38 stolen bases leading baseball .

It must also be noted that Kyle Tucker is currently injured and it is not confirmed that he is to return, but he would be sitting in 2nd place, but for his injury and not playing enough games to be entered into the overall list. However, prior to his injury he was exceptional.

PITCHING

Over in the pitching department, it is a couple of 28-year-olds who head up the leaderboard: Tanner Houck of the Red Sox and Ranger Suarez of the Phillies. Tanner Houck has allowed only 2 HR in over 103 innings pitched. That is phenomenal. He is giving up on average around 9 bases per 9 innings, which is pretty good going. However, it is notable that this year only Houck is under 10 for TBO9. Last year there were nine pitchers at the end of the season with a TBO9. We are going to see a spate of improved starting pitching or this year's crop isn’t a great one.

Of the top 20, a few names jump out: Tyler Glasnow has been remarkably consistent in his first year with the Dodgers, currently at 5th in the rankings. He has been an ever-present in the top 20 so far, and has undoubtedly been a good signing for the Dodgers. Chris Sale at number 3 has been an important addition to the already potent Braves’ rotation.

Another two names are worth highlighting. The first is Yamamoto, who signed a record deal for the Dodgers this offseason for a pitcher, coming over from Japan and got hammered in his first start over in South Korea against the Padres. Since then, he has done very well, steadily improving, and is now ranked 14th for the season, which is an impressive achievement considering his atrocious start.

The other name is another rookie in his first season, and that is Paul Skenes. He is a phenomenal talent and has been brilliant since being called up a little over a month ago to the big leagues. Currently at 16th in the rankings, that is some achievement for a complete newbie, but he has all the talent and tools to reach the very top.

That’s it for now. Halfway through, and the season is shaping up nicely. Sign up for regular daily predictions and betting tips.

We are into June, now nearly 60 games into the season. Well over a third but a good few games short of the halfway stage. Now is an excellent time to review what’s been going on as the early “starts” have now settled down into proper long-term form. We can now see with a great deal of clarity who are the runners and riders for the 2024 crown, and which teams will be putting their feet up come the end of September.

We’ll start by having a look at each league and seeing who are the teams most likely to go to the postseason and who will have a real shot at the title.

The Contenders
American League
New York Yankees
Cleveland Guardians
Baltimore Orioles
Seattle Mariners

National League
Philadelphia Phillies
Atlanta Braves
Los Angeles Dodgers

New York Yankees
The Yankees made some big moves in the postseason, most notably bringing in Juan Soto for the last year of his contract. He has been truly transformative for the Yankees, really getting them going at the start of the season when previous superstars took their time to get going. He has brought a sense of gravitas to the team, a “Look out, don’t f**k with us, we mean business,” side to the Yankees which has been missing for quite some time. The Yankees were picked by many experts to have a stellar season, principally based on the power they have in their batting line-up. Aaron Judge had a slow start but has turned it around, now ranked as the second most productive batter in baseball this season. The Yankees have five players in the top 100 in productivity. Their pitching has also been excellent, even without Gerrit Cole, who is set to return soon. The Yankees are well on track for a strong finish.

Cleveland Guardians
The Cleveland Guardians have been one of the biggest surprises this year, motoring ahead in the AL Central. However, their pitching rotation ranks 10th out of the top challengers, and they only have two batters in the top 100. José Ramirez and Josh Naylor are leading the way for the team, but the Guardians may face struggles as the season progresses.

Baltimore Orioles
The Orioles are ranked second in the AL East and have been very powerful. Gunnar Henderson is leading the charge with a great season, and the Orioles are on track for over 100 wins. While their ace pitcher Corbin Burns has been excellent, their rotation needs strengthening. They will be serious contenders if they can secure another top pitcher before the Trade Deadline.

Seattle Mariners
The Mariners are leading the AL West, with their pitching rotation ranked fourth best in baseball. Although their bats are not elite, their pitching depth makes them a dangerous team in the postseason.

Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies have been the standout team in the National League. Their top four pitchers are ranked as the best in baseball, and they have six batters in the top 50. Bryce Harper is leading the charge, and the Phillies are on course for a stellar 110-win season.

Atlanta Braves
The Braves are still a strong team but are currently behind the Phillies in the NL East. Injuries have taken a toll on their offense, but their top-tier pitching rotation will keep them competitive in the postseason.

Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers are on track for 101 wins and are heavily reliant on the performance of Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and their power hitters. Their pitching rotation has shown some weakness, but they are still a serious postseason contender.

The Best of the Rest
The Brewers are leading the NL Central comfortably, with strong pitching and two standout batters. However, they may face challenges in the postseason against stronger teams. The Rangers, Diamondbacks, Astros, Rays, and Blue Jays are struggling to make a real impact this season.

Curve Ball Choice
The Chicago Cubs are in a dogfight for a wildcard spot. With strong pitching and six batters in the top 100, they have the potential to surprise in the postseason if their bats heat up.

Predictions
Winners: Philadelphia Phillies
Runners Up: Baltimore Orioles
Left field choice: Chicago Cubs

American League

Divisional Leaders
New York Yankees
Cleveland Guardians
Seattle Mariners

The Yankees still top the American League despite losing a series 2-1 to their fierce rivals, the Red Sox who three games back from a wild card spot. The Baltimore Orioles are second in the League and the Division and going toe for toe having beaten the high flying Phillies 2-1 over the weekend. Both of these teams will be going to the postseason, the question is which will be going through as divisional leader and a top 2 seeding. The other will have to go through as a wild card.

The other divisional leaders are the Cleveland Guardians and the Seattle Mariners. The Mariners swept the Rangers at the weekend to cement their spot at the top of the AL West. The Guardians went down 2-1 to the Blue Jays but are 5 games ahead of the Royals who are second in the AL Central.

The Wild Card spots are being taken by the aforementioned Orioles and Royals currently, together with the Minnesota Twins, also in AL Central. Other candidates who are in with a chance are the Red Sox (+3), Blue Jays (+4.5), Detroit Tigers (+5.5).

There are some big teams who at the moment are with a less than 10% chance of making the postseason: the Rays, Astros and Rangers are in real trouble and will need a massive surge over the next couple of months.

National League

Divisional Leaders
Philadelphia Phillies
Milwaukee Brewers
Los Angeles Dodgers

Despite losing to the Orioles, the Phillies are top of the National League, four games ahead of the Dodgers. Speaking of the Dodgers, they have suffered injuries to two key players which may have a huge impact on their season. Mookie Betts fractured a bone in his hand on a wild pitch and Yamamoto has a strained rotator cuff. Return dates are uncertain for both. They will be fine getting to the postseason, 8 games ahead of the Padres. The Brewers are also surging ahead in the NL Central, 6.5 games ahead of the Cardinals.

The Braves, preseason favourites are in a spot of bother, 8 games back in the NL East from the top spot and will have to rely on a wild card. The other wild card candidates are the Cardinals, together with the Padres and Nationals who are tied. The Diamondbacks and Giants are only half a game back, and the Reds and Pirates are only one game back. The Cubs and Mets are only 1 and a half games back so it promises to be a really exciting race for the wildcard spots in the NL. Only the Rockies and Marlins are out of the hunt.

Weekend Summary
The MLB went to London for two games between the Phillies against the Mets. They tied the series 1-1, the Phillies’ offence was too much in game 1. However, game 2 was spectacular with the Mets surviving a 9th inning rally to win 6-5.
The Giants beat the Rangers 2-1, the Rangers taking the last game of the series. The Giants are slowly improving their chances of a postseason appearance, but firmly behind the Dodgers in the NL West. The Rangers are now only around 15% to make the postseason.
The Orioles swept the Rays to keep up their excellent form near the top of the American League. I think we can call it for the Rays this season.
The Royals took the series win against the Mariners, boosting their chances of reaching the postseason in the AL Central. The Mariners are comfortably at the top of the AL West.
The White Sox broke their record losing run to take a rare series victory against the Red Sox. That was a real blow to Boston to their chances as they need these easy wins.
The Astros took the series 2-1 against the Angels but are still miles back and need to improve drastically to make the postseason, but have lost several key players to injury.
The Blue Jays took the win against the Oakland As as expected to keep their small hopes alive.
The Braves got swept by the Nationals which was a shock and their chances of being seeded 1 or 2 for the postseason are all but out of the window.
The Cubs lost out 2-1 to the Reds over the weekend and the Cubs stay bottom of the NL Central for chances of making the postseason.
The Cardinals took the series 2-1 against the Rockies which was key as they keep fighting in the tight NL Central.
The Diamondbacks lost 2-1 to the Padres in a close divisional matchup of the NL West. The Padres stretch ahead slightly of the Diamondbacks in the race for the postseason.
The Brewers took the series against the Tigers to keep up their stranglehold of the NL Central. The Tigers have fallen back slightly in the AL Central behind the Twins.
The Yankees and the Dodgers played out a potential World Series preview and the Dodgers took the win 2-1.
The Pirates took the series against the Twins and the Guardians took the series against the Marlins as predicted.

Dear Reader,

MLB Weekly Review

The Tampa Bay Rays are set to start a three-game series against the Oakland Athletics. Both teams have been struggling recently, with losing records over their past 10 games. The Rays, in particular, are looking to bounce back after consecutive series losses to the Red Sox and Royals. With plenty of ground to make up in the AL East, the Rays will be eager to capitalize on this opportunity. Meanwhile, the Athletics, with a record of 22-33, are almost certainly out of playoff contention. Given their current form, the Rays should prove too strong for them.

The Baltimore Orioles won game one comfortably against the Boston Red Sox, as predicted. The Red Sox will be keen to avoid consecutive series defeats, especially given their current 27-27 record. The next couple of weeks will be crucial for the Red Sox as they look to stay in the playoff hunt.

The Toronto Blue Jays managed to handle the Chicago White Sox in game one of their series and are expected to do so again today. The Blue Jays need to continue this form to improve their standings.

The Minnesota Twins edged out the Kansas City Royals in a tight game one yesterday. This close matchup is vital for the Twins, who need to gain ground on the Royals in the AL Central. Both teams will be looking to secure a crucial win today.

In the AL West, the Seattle Mariners saw off the Houston Astros in another close game at the top of the division. While the Mariners are looking strong, the Astros are in desperate need of a win to boost their postseason chances. It will be a tough ask against a formidable Mariners side.

The New York Yankees and Los Angeles Angels are starting a three-game series. The Yankees, in excellent shape with a 37-18 record, will look to continue their dominance. Meanwhile, the Angels, who were recently swept by the Cleveland Guardians, are struggling to maintain the positive signs they showed in May. They face a tough challenge against the high-flying Yankees.

The Cincinnati Reds continued their good form by taking game one against the St. Louis Cardinals with a 3-1 victory. It promises to be another tight game, with the Cardinals hoping to maintain their strong momentum from recent weeks.

The Atlanta Braves, despite not being in serious trouble, have been struggling. Yesterday's 8-4 loss to the Washington Nationals did nothing to ease doubts about their form. They will be looking to Max Fried, their excellent pitcher, to turn things around this evening.

The Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets are kicking off a three-game series. The Dodgers, with a 4-6 record over the past 10 games, need to get back to winning ways. The Mets, performing even worse at 3-7, are unlikely to offer much resistance. With Tyler Glasnow on the mound for the Dodgers, this game promises to be an interesting watch.

The Milwaukee Brewers took game one against the Chicago Cubs 5-1 in an enticing NL Central matchup. These two teams are predicted to be the top contenders for postseason spots from the division, making every game crucial.

The Philadelphia Phillies suffered an 8-4 defeat in game one against the San Francisco Giants. However, with Zack Wheeler pitching today, the Phillies are expected to bounce back.

The San Diego Padres edged out the Miami Marlins 2-1 in a close game, pushing their record above .500. As they compete closely with the Giants for postseason spots, defeating the struggling Marlins is crucial for their playoff hopes.

The Pittsburgh Pirates and Detroit Tigers are starting a two-game set, both coming off impressive series victories. The Pirates, still trailing in their division, need this win, while the Tigers are desperate for victories to catch up to the Twins in the AL Central.

The Colorado Rockies, known for their inconsistency, managed to defeat the high-flying Cleveland Guardians in game one. Despite being far behind in the standings, a series win here could be a significant morale boost for the Rockies.

In a rematch of last year’s World Series, the Texas Rangers face the Arizona Diamondbacks. Both teams have had disappointing seasons so far in 2024 but still have slim chances of making the postseason. Both the Rangers and Diamondbacks need to turn their seasons around quickly to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Dear Reader,

MLB Weekly Review: Analyzing the Latest in Divisional Power Plays

As we look back over the past week in Major League Baseball, we've seen a fascinating interplay of ups and downs across the divisions, with some teams consolidating their dominance while others grapple with unexpected slumps. Let's break down the action, division by division.

American League East:
The Baltimore Orioles continue to lead the pack, boasting a strong 25-12 record, displaying resilience and consistency. Their primary contenders, the New York Yankees, are hot on their trail with a 26-14 record. Both teams have shown formidable performances, making the AL East one of the most competitive divisions this season.

American League Central:
The Cleveland Guardians and the Minnesota Twins are neck and neck, with the Guardians slightly ahead. The Twins, following closely, have been gathering momentum, thanks to a series of tactical plays and solid team performance. The Detroit Tigers are maintaining a .500 record, staying competitive but needing a push to break into the upper echelon.

American League West:
This division presents a mixed bag with the Texas Rangers leading at 22-18, closely followed by the Seattle Mariners. The Houston Astros, however, have found themselves struggling at 14-24, a shadow of their past formidable selves, while the Los Angeles Angels are also underperforming, echoing the disappointment among their fans.

National League East:
In the NL East, the Philadelphia Phillies are the standout team with a 27-12 record, followed by the Atlanta Braves at 23-12. Both teams are demonstrating why they're top contenders, with solid batting and pitching stats. The Miami Marlins, however, find themselves at the bottom, struggling with a 10-30 record, signaling a need for a serious reassessment.

National League Central:
The Milwaukee Brewers lead this division at 23-15, closely shadowed by the Chicago Cubs at 23-16. Both teams have been doing well, but the St. Louis Cardinals have found themselves in a slump, sitting at 15-23, and need to find a way to turn their season around.

National League West:
The Los Angeles Dodgers dominate this division with a 26-14 record, showing why they are perennial favorites with a strong +73 run differential. However, the San Diego Padres, while maintaining a positive record, need to ramp up their game to close the gap.

Summary:
As we move forward, the Orioles and Yankees in the AL East and the Phillies and Braves in the NL East are setting high standards, making every game critical as we approach mid-season. The Astros and Angels have significant ground to cover if they wish to revive their seasons. Meanwhile, the Dodgers continue to impress, setting the benchmark for excellence in the National League.

The next few weeks are crucial as teams vie for positions leading up to the All-Star break, making every match a must-watch for baseball aficionados. Stay tuned as we continue to track these exciting developments in Major League Baseball.

Dear Reader,

The baseball season is relentless and with each passing day, the picture gets a little clearer. As our aim here is to keep the semi-informed watcher in the loop, we'll try and summarize the big stories so far this year.

Games Played: 28

Division Leaders:
Baltimore Orioles
Cleveland Guardians
Seattle Mariners
Atlanta Braves
Milwaukee Brewers
Los Angeles Dodgers

Teams surpassing expectations

There are some teams which are traditionally stronger in recent years and were the favorites to make the playoffs. Some of these teams have been going along as expected. The Baltimore Orioles had a 101-win season last year and have been excellent and are on track to win 108 games currently. The New York Yankees have also been excellent and are 24 games up on their expected wins. The Yankees have been fired along by Juan Soto who signed a one-year deal and is a free agent at the end of this season. It has not been all rosy at the Yankees though as one of their best players, Aaron Judge, has had a slow start to the season and was booed by the home fans, which is rather absurd as Judge has been phenomenal for so long for the Yankees.

The Atlanta Braves are the best team in baseball at the moment, and are coping with a season-ending injury to their best pitcher, Spenser Strider, admirably. They are functioning at a very high level without MVP performances from the reigning MVP, Ronald Acuña Jr. Likewise, and in the same division, the Philadelphia Phillies are going along handsomely. However, it is the Cleveland Guardians who have been surpassing expectations most so far this year and at the last count, are 40 games up on their preseason prediction! In what was labeled a weaker division, the Guardians are rollicking along, recently beating the Red Sox and the Yankees.

Teams who are underperforming

The big underperformers who have people concerned are the Houston Astros. They have been perennial postseason powerhouses and all indications were that they were due to be contenders again. However, it just hasn't clicked at all in the pitching stakes. For example, the Astros had a very good closer, yet went out and signed the best closer in the game in Josh Hader. After barely giving up a hit, let alone a run for his career, he has promptly gone and got smashed every time he has gone out and pitched. A bizarre turn of form which has the Astros at a phenomenal 55 games down on their preseason prediction. Similar strugglers are the Miami Marlins who are down 39 games.

Pitcher injuries - There has been a spate of pitcher injuries this year affecting some of the est pitchers around. This has created a bit of a hoo-haa about who is to blame, with the Pitchers'clock which reduces the time a pitcher has in between pitches receiving much attention. However as experienced pitcher, Justin Verlander, said in a very interesting interview, the entire baseball training structure and selectors are to blame as they recruit younger and younger seeking those that throw at 100mph or can put so and so many revolutions on the ball. This creates a strain on the bodies which is simply unstustainable. Currently out are the following:

Shane Baz of the Tampa Bay Rays is out indefinitely recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Shane McClanahan, also from the Rays, is out for the season due to Tommy John surgery on his left elbow.
Max Scherzer of the Texas Rangers is expected to return in early May following back surgery.
Tyler Mahle is expected back in mid-July after Tommy John surgery.
Jacob deGrom is on a similar timeline for his return following Tommy John surgery on his right elbow.
Brock Burke of the Texas Rangers is out indefinitely with a broken right hand.
Anthony DeSclafani from the Minnesota Twins will miss the entire 2024 season after right arm surgery.
Strider, from the Atlanta Braves, will miss the rest of the 2024 season due to a UCL procedure

Team Performance Insights

Surpassing Expectations
Cleveland Guardians lead the positive differential with a +34.46, showcasing robust performance improvements over expectations. Josh Naylor's outstanding offensive stats have been a key factor in their success, reflecting in his .328 batting average and notable power hitting.
Kansas City Royals top the list with a remarkable +44.81 differential. Bobby Witt Jr. has been pivotal in this surge, contributing both at bat and in the field. His stats include a .314 batting average and a slugging percentage that highlights his dual-threat capability.
New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox have also performed notably well, with differentials of +32.37 and +20.70, respectively. The Yankees have seen substantial contributions from players like Logan O'Hoppe and Giancarlo Stanton, each adding significant value to the team's offensive prowess.

Below Expectations
Houston Astros face the most significant drop with a -45.05 differential. Despite high expectations, their performance has been hampered by injuries and underperformance in critical games.
Miami Marlins also struggle significantly, holding the lowest differential at -47.49. Their season has been characterized by weak pitching and a lack of offensive consistency, which has led to their poor showing in the standings.

Standout Players
Several players have made significant impacts on their teams, often exceeding individual expectations:
Shohei Ohtani (Los Angeles Dodgers) continues to amaze with a .341 batting average and excellent slugging, maintaining his status as one of the top hitters in the league.
William Contreras (Milwaukee Brewers) has been another standout, especially impressive with a batting average of .375 and an OPS over 1.000, making him one of the leading hitters this season.
Spencer Steer of the Cincinnati Reds has emerged as a key player, with a batting average of .317 and solid power numbers, contributing significantly to the Reds' overall performance.

Team Developments and Strategies
The Cincinnati Reds show promising growth with a slew of young talents like Elly De La Cruz and additions such as Frankie Montas. Their development strategy focuses on nurturing these young players while strengthening their pitching rotation to solidify their competitive status.
Los Angeles Angels, while struggling with team consistency, benefit immensely from the individual performances of Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani. Their strategy seems to revolve around building around these core players while trying to find the right support to turn games into wins.

Analysis of Underperforming Teams
Houston Astros' dramatic fall can be attributed to a series of injuries to key players and a general lack of depth in their pitching rotation, which has failed to live up to the previous years' standards.
Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers have also seen declines, with issues ranging from inconsistent batting to struggles in closing games effectively.

Emerging Trends
Youth Movement: Teams like the Reds and Royals are benefiting from their investment in young, dynamic players who are beginning to make their mark in the major leagues.
Pitching Woes: Teams struggling with pitching depth, like the Astros and Mariners, find it challenging to compete consistently, underscoring the perennial importance of strong pitching staffs in baseball.

Looking Forward
As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see if the high-performing teams can maintain their momentum and whether the underperformers can reverse their fortunes. The role of emerging players will be crucial, as will the strategic decisions made at the trade deadline.

After around 15 games, we can probably say that this is the end of the beginning of the season with things starting to take shape.

Here's your updated roundup of what's going on in the MLB to keep you up to date.

AL East
The Yankees have continued their excellent start to the season, boasting the best record in baseball so far at 12-3. Led by Juan Soto's stellar batting, the Yankees are pulling ahead in the AL East. Their pitching has also been strong, with the highest ERA among pitchers who have thrown over 10 innings being just 3.68. The Baltimore Orioles, with an inconsistent start, are their likely rivals for the division title. They currently stand at 8-6. A significant development this week is the MLB debut of prospect Jackson Holliday, son of former MLB player Matt Holliday. Despite the hype, his initial performance has been challenging, with no hits in 11 at-bats, highlighting the difficulty of major league baseball.

The rest of the division is tightly contested, with the Red Sox, Rays, and Blue Jays all close behind in what promises to be a fascinating season.

AL Central
In what was anticipated to be a weak division, the AL Central is proving competitive. The Kansas City Royals are leading at 10-5, surprising many given their preseason expectations. They are led by Bobby Witt Jr., who has excelled after signing an 11-year, $288 million contract. The Guardians and Tigers are also performing well, whereas the Twins, predicted to win the division, are currently 6-7.

AL West
The Astros have had a rough start at 5-11 but are beginning to improve. The Rangers lead the division with an 8-7 record, closely followed by the Angels, who are 7-7 with Mike Trout playing a critical role.

NL East
The Braves lead the NL East at 8-5, despite the severe blow of losing top pitcher Spencer Strider for the season. The Phillies are next, while the Marlins are struggling at the bottom with a 3-12 record.

NL Central
The Brewers are fulfilling predictions, dominating the NL Central with a 10-3 record. Christian Yelich has already hit 5 home runs, and Freddy Peralta boasts a 2.55 ERA over 17.2 innings. The Pirates are exceeding expectations with a 10-5 record, outpacing the Cubs, Reds, and Cardinals.

NL West
The Dodgers lead the division but haven't been as dominant as expected. New ace Tyler Glasnow, along with Mookie Betts and Shohei Ohtani, has excelled. Off the field, Ohtani has been cleared by a federal investigation into illegal gambling, with his interpreter pleading guilty to theft, lifting a significant cloud over him.

The rest of the division is struggling, with no team holding a winning record yet.

After around ten games, we are a sixteenth of the way through the regular season. Who's come out of the blocks firing, and who has disappointed?

American League

After an excellent start, the New York Yankees are 8 and 2 and going excellently. Their core of hitters led by new signing Juan Soto have been excellent in driving in the runs needed. Soto has 12 hits in 36 at-bats so far, with Volpe and Cabrera also providing strong support. Judge and Stanton haven't really gotten going yet, so the Yankees are looking good this year. Soto is a free agent at the end of this year, so it will be fascinating to see whether he has a monster season to drive up his value and get himself a mega contract. This incentive can only be positive for the Yankees. The Yankees have had series against the Astros, Diamondbacks, and the Toronto Blue Jays, so their form does stack up well against others.

Also flying in the American League are the Cleveland Guardians. An inconsistent season last year with a solid if unspectacular lineup. Predicted by us to go 77-85, they are racing along winning series against the weak Athletics, Mariners, and Twins. While their opposition hasn't been too strong, they have done well to get the wins under their belts. Steven Kwan is leading the offense with 15 hits in 43 at-bats.

Elsewhere in the American League, the Tigers, Rangers, Red Sox, and Orioles make up the top 6. Down at the bottom, the Astros have been slow to get going with albeit tough series against the Yankees, Blue Jays, and the Rangers. They are 2 and 7 before Sunday night's game, and they don't want to fall further behind. The Detroit Tigers, a young team who could be quite exciting this year, have started well going 6 and 3.

National League

It is the Pirates who are on top with an 8 and 2 record, closely followed by the Dodgers at 8 and 3. The Pirates have been a surprise package this year after being predicted to have a middling season, playing well against the Marlins, Nationals, and Orioles.

For the Dodgers, new star pitcher Yamamoto built on a solid home debut after a nightmare start over in Korea, pitching 5 innings for 0 runs. The Braves have been decent as expected, as have the Brewers.

Teams who need to buck up their ideas and have losing records so far and hopes to go to the postseason are the Phillies, Padres, and Diamondbacks. The Marlins just avoided losing the first 10 games of the season, which hasn't been done for quite a while, but it has been a real struggle for a team that almost made the postseason last year.

Just a quick update to see where we are at after nearly 5 days of baseball.

American League

Early leaders in the American League are the New York Yankees who have gone 5-0 for about the fourth time in their history. There was lots of excitement about the Yankees prior to the season with experts predicting that the signing of Juan Soto would take them back to the postseason. Here at ThreeAndTwo we were not so sure, but Soto has led the team to a fantastic start. Can they keep it up?
The Detroit Tigers in the weak American League Central division have also started well going out 4-0. A young team who we predicted to keep an eye on as they may just challenge for the division have certainly come out fast and have got people's attention.
Over to the American League West, the Rangers have started OK, and after a disastrous opening two games which led to a team meeting being called by new manager, Ron Washington, the Angels have got their act together and won a couple of games thanks to the brilliance of Mike Trout.

National League

The Pirates have gone off like a rocket to 5-0 to see them leading the wide open National League Central division. The Brewers also boast a perfect record just behind them.

After playing 7 games, the Dodgers lead the way in the National League West with the Rockies struggling at 1-4, with the preseason favourites the Braves leading the way in the East, with their traditionally strong pitching staff and batting leading the way.

Leading Players

Ronel Blanco: Only one place to start. A journeyman from the Dominican Republic, signed for just $5,000 a few years ago, on only his eighth start in the MLB, getting a shot because of injury, having just pitched 58 innings before, threw a no hitter for the Astros against a decent lineup in the Toronto Jays. It was an incredible performance, one which he will have forever, as he allowed just 2 walks in a near perfect pitching performance.

Other pitchers to note: Shota Imanaga, the 30-year-old pitcher signed for big money to the Chicago Cubs stepped out of the shade of Yamamoto and pitched 6 innings allowing just 2 hits in a very strong debut start. Shane Bieber was also good for Cleveland as he allowed 0 runs over 6 innings.

On the batting side of things, two Dodgers lead the way. First, favorite to be National League MVP, Mookie Betts has been brilliant with 13 hits in 25 At Bats, as has new Dodger signing Teoscar Hernandez, who has hit 4 home runs. Mike Trout has been back to his best at the start of the season.

Overall, of the big preseason favorites to make the postseason, the Dodgers, Braves, Diamondbacks, Orioles, and Rangers have looked good and as expected. The Yankees have demonstrated that their new look team is to be taken seriously. Big teams who haven't looked great are the Phillies (who did have to play a series against the Braves first up, so their 1-3 record can be taken with a pinch of salt). The Astros got swept 4-0 by the Yankees so are 1-4 and not looking great apart from that no hitter.
Of the teams expected to be rubbish, the Athletics, White Sox, and Rockies have not disappointed. The Marlins are 0-5 which as a team who almost made the postseason last year, is a little worrying. You don't want to get too far back already.

It's a long season and these are very early signs, but still pretty interesting so far. Probably too early to read too much into it to be honest. Of the four times the Yankees have started 5-0 previously in their history, thrice they didn't make the postseason.

Major League Baseball is back, and the fans are here for it! After the grand spectacle of Opening Day, teams across the league have plunged into the fray, with most having two games under their belts. Predictions and speculation have given way to the real deal, and it's time to see which spring training forms have held up when set free into the wilds of the competitive season.
Over in Baltimore, the Orioles' new ace, Corbin Burns, brought electricity to the mound, allowing a solitary hit as they steamrolled the Angels with a resounding 11-3 victory. Yet, in the midst of the Angels' subdued performance, Mike Trout emerged as a shimmering exception, homering in his first at-bat. If early signs are anything to go by, expect Trout to be this season's tour de force, carrying the weight of the team's aspirations on his broad shoulders.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Dodgers have flexed their muscles early, showcasing their might and hinting at a season fraught with danger for any opponents. Mookie Betts, ever the frontrunner for MVP, has set the pace as the Dodgers have handed two defeats to the Cardinals, 8-2 and 7-1. Teoscar Hernandez, another one of the Dodgers' fresh faces, marked his introduction with a home run, ensuring the Dodgers' narrative this season is one of intimidation and assertion.
A clash of titans saw the Braves and Phillies face off, but it was the Braves who flexed their muscles late in the game, unloading for a 9-3 victory. In the tug-of-war between the Giants and Padres, equilibrium has been the theme, with both teams standing 1-1 after their initial exchanges. The Diamondbacks, having claimed two victories against the Rockies, remind us that no team is to be taken lightly, especially so early in the season.

Shifting focus to the East, the Yankees have kicked off their campaign with a bang, securing two wins against the formidable Astros. It's a statement start that fans hope forecasts a season brimming with triumph and trophies.
As we spotlight individual brilliance, Mookie Betts has charged out of the gates with an astounding eight hits and three home runs in just four games. His batting prowess has set the tone for the Dodgers, and his .571 average is a siren call to all competitors that he's here to dominate.
Not to be overshadowed, Betts' teammate Will Smith has also started strongly, posting a .412 average, showcasing the kind of form that justifies his lucrative decade-long contract. On the Padres' side, Xander Bogaerts has been impressive, while Ketel Marte of the Diamondbacks boasts a staggering .667 average, albeit in fewer games. Fernando Tatis Jr. has also made his presence felt with a healthy .375 average and two homers.
Pitching has had its share of stars as well, with Corbin Burnes for the Orioles, Shane Bieber for Cleveland, and the Dodgers' Bobby Miller all recording quality starts. Burnes, in particular, is shaping up to be a formidable foe with an ERA of 1.50 and 11 strikeouts. Yu Darvish of the Padres has continued his efficient work on the mound, maintaining a 1.04 ERA over two starts.
These early days are but a prologue to the full story of the season, as teams and players set the stage for what promises to be another enthralling chapter in the annals of baseball. As we continue to immerse in the ballet of bats, balls, and bases, one thing is certain: the magic of baseball is back, and it's back with a vengeance.

Baseball enthusiasts, rejoice! Opening Day has finally graced us with its presence, marking the real start of the baseball season. The fields are pristine, the lines chalked to perfection, and the aroma of freshly cut grass is practically synonymous with hope. Across the nation, fans are donning caps and jerseys and heading to the ballpark. It's a time of optimism, where every team's slate is clean, and the whisper of a World Series dream is not just a possibility but a vivid aspiration.

On the cusp of this season's dawn, the market's lingering best player of free agency, Jordan Montgomery, has sealed a modest one-year engagement with the Arizona Diamondbacks, the deal has rippled through the baseball community, drawing a collective gasp.

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Dodgers have made an emphatic statement, binding Matt Smith, their stalwart catcher, in a mammoth 10-year deal worth $140 million. This long-term investment underscores his invaluable contribution behind the plate and his offensive prowess. As the ink dries on Smith's contract, it's a clear signal to the baseball world: the Dodgers see him as a cornerstone of their franchise, a player around whom a dynasty can be constructed.

Preseason has been a chessboard of unexpected moves and outcomes. Teams predicted to be powerhouses have stuttered, raising brows and questioning if the exhibition games are an ominous precursor or merely a fluke. On the flip side, the underdogs have surfaced with a bite, teams like the Detroit Tigers and the Miami Marlins, who've carried an air of invincibility in practice games. They've not only bested their opponents but have done so with a style that narrates a tale of hunger and potential. The Milwaukee Brewers, anticipated to be a bulwark in the National League, have oddly floundered. Their preseason was marked by a series of missteps, their anticipated robust rotation showing cracks under the weight of expectations. The New York Yankees, many peoples pick for the Division, have limped through the spring, rocked by an jnjury to start picher, Gerrit Cole. They've left fans grappling with concern, pondering whether this was a springtime slumber or a harbinger of trials to come.

Amidst these narratives, Opening Day stands as a beacon of new beginnings. It's a day that enshrines baseball's perennial allure, promising a saga woven over months, punctuated by the crack of bats, the roar of crowds, and the silent prayers of die-hards and dreamers alike. As the umpire bellows 'Play ball!', the tapestry of the season begins to weave, and every pitch, hit, and catch is a stitch in the fabric of the sport's timeless story.

The season is back with a BANG! Welcome to the first ThreeAndTwo update of the season, the first update that truly matters. We have various division and team previews (still missing a couple to come), which you can check out to see our predictions and thoughts on what might happen this season.

But enough of time and content-filling future gazing; baseball is back! Confusingly, because baseball often is, we've had two league games before "Opening Day," which puts the term "Opening Day" on shaky ground from a descriptive standpoint. But regardless, the 2024 baseball season has kicked off with a bang! The superstars and off-season darlings, the Los Angeles Dodgers, featuring the new highest-paid pitcher in history, Yamamoto (more on him shortly), and the highest-paid player in history, Ohtani (DEFINITELY more on him shortly...), faced the San Diego Padres. They played a two-game series which they eventually split 1-1. The first game was fairly standard: good pitching by Tyler Glasnow on debut kept the Padres quiet, as did Yu Darvish for the Padres. But the Dodgers' mighty offense got rumbling, and they took the lead in the 8th, grinding the Padres down and winning 5-2. Ohtani got a couple of hits; Mookie Betts hit a homer. Fairly standard stuff.

Then, in the second game, Yamamoto took the mound for the Dodgers in his first start. Yamamoto hadn't been very good in preseason, and commentators were questioning his style, etc. But this was our chance to see him in his first start, the highest-paid pitcher in history. And what happened? It was gripping sport at its worst. Yamamoto was rendered a wreck, looking like a rabbit frozen in the Padres' headlights as he lasted only ONE inning and conceded five runs, making over 40 pitches. It was sport at its most brutal, most revealing, watching a car crash unfold in slow motion before our eyes. It was compelling, and one couldn't look away. It led to a run-filled game which the Padres won 15-11, and questions and commentators immediately piled in on Yamamoto, the poor guy. Will he bounce back? Probably, but it will require a supreme act of courage and skill after what was one of the most brutal debuts in history.

That would have been the big news from the series, but around the same time as the second match, an absolute bombshell was dropped from the Dodgers camp in a story that has rocked the baseball world. It involved the worst possible person from the MLB's viewpoint: Ohtani, the darling, the face of the sport, he of the mega contract, the international superstar, has become embroiled in a sordid, weird betting scandal. Basically, Ohtani's interpreter paid an illegal bookmaker over $4 million with Ohtani's money. Those are the facts; the rest is speculation. The interpreter originally said in an interview that he did it with Ohtani's blessing, a mate helping out a mate. Less than 24 hours later, after Ohtani's lawyers got involved, the story quickly changed, with claims that Ohtani was a victim of massive theft and had no idea about this. Either way, an investigation is coming, and Ohtani is under the microscope. This is a big deal; the last guy caught betting on baseball on a large scale was banned from baseball for life, although to date, it's suggested the bets were mostly on football overseas (I imagine the Premier League). This is big news; if it was Ohtani betting with an illegal bookmaker, he's in trouble.

Anyway, that's basically it. Lots of questions, stories being changed is never a good look, and an investigation underway. It will be significant baseball news as it unfolds.

That's that for this week's update. Sonny Gray, the new Cardinals' ace, is a bit injured. Blake Snell, one of the best pitchers in baseball, got a bang-average two-year contract, as his agent did a poor job; he signed for the Giants, which we think won't be too competitive come October, but that might change a bit now.

Stay tuned as the baseball season gets underway in earnest in just five days! Thanks for reading, and see you soon.

The Free Agent Conundrum – Blake Snell: As we edge closer to the season's kickoff, Blake Snell remains conspicuously unattached. The question on everyone’s mind: Will the New York Yankees, grappling with Gerrit Cole's sidelining elbow injury, bring Snell aboard to fortify their ranks? This storyline is brimming with potential dramatics as the MLB's curtain-raiser approaches.

Spring Training Standouts: The prelude to the MLB season, spring training, is showcasing its fair share of narratives and team forms. Notable performances include:

AL East Juggernauts: The Baltimore Orioles (15-3) and the Boston Red Sox (12-7) are setting a high bar early on, while the Detroit Tigers (11-8) signal a strong start.
NL's Finest: The Los Angeles Dodgers dominate with a 13-4 record, trailed closely by the Colorado Rockies (11-6) and the Kansas City Royals (11-7).
Under the Radar: The Los Angeles Angels and Chicago Cubs, with records of 11-7 and 10-7 respectively, are also showing promising form.
These figures, while just the beginning, hint at the potential storylines and underdog surprises we might see in the upcoming season.
Ohtani's Spring Brilliance: Shohei Ohtani continues to defy the norm, shining bright in spring training. His performance not only captivates but also sets the stage for what might be another remarkable season. Alongside the Dodgers’ commendable form, it's clear the West could be bracing for a stellar year in baseball.
Teams to Watch: While the headlines might revolve around the bigger names, the Royals, Rockies, Cubs, and Reds are hinting at potentially exceeding preseason expectations. With strong spring showings, these teams could be the dark horses of the regular season.
The Worrying Trends: It’s not all sunshine and rainbows; teams like the Chicago White Sox and Tampa Bay Rays are off to shaky starts, as reflected in their spring records. This, coupled with the Yankees' challenges, adds layers of intrigue and speculation to the ever-competitive AL East.
Lucas Giolito's Elbow Woes: The Boston Red Sox are facing a major challenge as pitcher Lucas Giolito undergoes surgery for his right ulnar collateral ligament, necessitating an internal brace. This significant procedure sidelines him for the entire 2024 season, leaving a noticeable gap in the Red Sox's rotation strategy.
Gerrit Cole's Elbow Scare: Meanwhile, the New York Yankees are dealing with their own concerns on the mound. Ace Gerrit Cole is expected to miss 1-2 months due to a ligament tear in his elbow, a major setback for the team's pitching lineup and their performance aspirations in the season's early stages.
That’s about it, make sure you check out the team previews on twitter and articles on the Team Previews page. Things are heating up and people are starting to get excited.

As we move closer to the beginning of the season in 32 days time, spring training is underway, the aromas of hope and expectation are in the air. Teams are finetuning their lineups and having a first look at all their new shiny toys. Corbin Burns made a strong impression on his first start for the Baltimore Orioles looking every inch the leading ace which they need as they have suffered an injury to Kyle Bradish who will be out until possibly May in a big blow to their hopes.

A big free agent in Cody Bellinger has re-signed with the Chicago Cubs for $80 million. One of the better players available on the open market, it is a reasonable deal for both parties.

The Dodgers who have made the biggest splash this postseason caused excitement releasing clips of Yamamoto looking exceptionally good in pitching practice, their new leading pitcher signed from Japan, partnering Shoehei Otani who caused a mild meltdown on the internet by showing clips of him returning to batting practice giving hope that he will be fit in time for the start of the season.

In a slightly different story which has been making headlines this week has been the quality of the new kits being provided by Nike/Fanatics, as they have been shown to be of shoddy quality and a horrible new material (whilst also having see-through trousers). Having had excellent kit with real stitching of names and teams’ logos, baseball players and fans are up in arms. From our perspective it seems a bit of a non-story, “kit-supplier cuts corners and produces shoddy product at half the quality and selling for twice the price as previous iterations dressed up in marketing speak of new high performance clothing” has been going on for years in other sports. It’s a shame that its third-rate tentacles have gotten into baseball but that’s modern society for you. Cut costs and rip off the customer.

Meanwhile, veteran Tim Anderson has signed a one year $5 million deal with the Miami Marlins looking to rediscover his talent and form after the previous face of the White Sox declined to take up an option for keeping him for $14 million. Severely hampered by injuries over the past few years, it’s a little gamble by the Marlins but it could pay off handsomely.

Teams have been busy filling up their 40 man rosters and picking up squad players and there are too many trades to note them all here. Leading trades have been:

– New York Yankees acquiring Caleb Ferguson: This trade stands out because Ferguson has been a reliable relief pitcher, and his move to the Yankees could significantly strengthen their bullpen, an area of weakness for the Yankees.
– Similarly the Minnesota Twins trading for Steven Okert has boosted their bullpen Okert's effectiveness as a relief pitcher.
– Boston Red Sox acquiring leading pitching prospect David Sandlin for a leading reliever in John Schreiber.

Relax, over the past week it's been pretty quiet over in MLB world after the hectic previous week. Players are arriving at spring training, gearing up for the new season. Here's a breakdown of all the big stories and player movements from the past week:

Kershaw re-signs with the Dodgers: The Dodgers have agreed to a one-year deal with a player option for 2025 with Kershaw, bringing back their longtime franchise ace for his 17th big league season. However, it's noted that Kershaw isn’t expected to be available until sometime next summer following surgery.

Venezuela win the Carribean Series: They defeated the Dominican Republic 3-0 in the Championship Game to secure the title.

Minnesota Twins and Miami Marlins Trade: The Twins traded Nick Gordon to the Marlins for Steven Okert, indicating strategic adjustments for the upcoming season.

Minnesota Twins Signings: The Twins signed catcher Brian O'Keefe and relief pitcher Jeff Brigham to minor league contracts to bolster their depth.

Spring Training Underway: With Spring Training kicking off, teams are finalizing their rosters, and players like Manny Machado are gearing up for the regular season which kicks off in Seol, South Korea (we'll explain closer to the time).

Sometimes it's hard to keep track of all that's going on in the MLB. So here's a breakdown of all the big stories so far this offseason including significant player movements and contract signings:

- Shohei Ohtani's Historic Contract: The Los Angeles Dodgers signed two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani to a groundbreaking 10-year, $700 million contract, marking the richest deal in league history. Despite an elbow injury that will prevent him from pitching in 2024, Ohtani's dual-threat capability and market appeal were key factors in this landmark signing.

- Bobby Witt Jr.'s Megadeal with the Royals: The Kansas City Royals signed Bobby Witt Jr. to a significant extension, a deal that underscores their commitment to building around the young star. This contract highlights the Royals' long-term planning and investment in their core talent.

- Padres Close to Signing Yuki Matsui: The San Diego Padres are nearing a deal with Yuki Matsui, a top Japanese pitcher from the Rakuten Golden Eagles. Matsui has had a stellar career in Nippon Professional Baseball, highlighted by a 2.40 ERA across 10 years and a 1.57 ERA with 39 saves in his most recent season.

- Giants Sign Catcher Tom Murphy: The San Francisco Giants have agreed to a two-year, $8 million contract with catcher Tom Murphy, previously with the Mariners. Murphy's addition aims to bolster the Giants' catching depth alongside breakout rookie Patrick Bailey and Joey Bart.

- Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Other Free Agency Moves: The free agency period has seen significant activity, with Yoshinobu Yamamoto being a notable name in discussions. The Dodgers not only secured Ohtani but also attracted interest in Yamamoto, enhancing their pitching lineup. Other teams, including the Padres with Matsui and the Giants with Murphy, have made strategic additions to strengthen their rosters for the upcoming season.

- Corbin Burnes Traded to the Orioles: In a major offseason move, the Baltimore Orioles acquired 2021 NL Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes from the Milwaukee Brewers. The Orioles, aiming to bolster their rotation, sent infielder Joey Ortiz, left-handed pitcher DL Hall, and a 2024 Competitive Balance Round A Draft pick to Milwaukee in exchange. This trade signifies the Orioles' ambition to compete at the highest levels by adding a proven frontline starter to their ranks.

There has been quite a bit going on in the off season and spring training is just about to get under way with opening day only 50 or so days away. We take a look at the big news so far at one of the teams which has been dominating the pre-season news thus far and will be in many people's eyes the favourite to win the World Series - The Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Dodgers have made the biggest splash by some distance this pre-season, and has committed to paying out over a billion dollars in wages in order to assemble a team of superstars capable of delivering the World Series once again, which they haven't won in a full 162 game season since 1988. They have signed the most talented player in baseball since Babe Ruth in Shohei Ohtani from crosstown rivals, Los Angeles Angels and have promised him over $700 million for the privilege during the course of the next 20 years (10 of which Ohtani is contracted to play for them).

In addition they have signed Yoshinobu Yamamoto to a $325 million 12 year contract from Japan. Many baseball experts consider Yamamoto to be the best pitcher in the world and his stats in Japan over the last 6 years have been absurdly good. Together with starting pitchers, James Paxton and Tyler Glasnow signed to bolster a starting rotation which was a glaring weakness last year, it looks like the Dodgers are in good shape in both departments. For good measure they have also re-signed Clayton Kershaw, however he won't be available pitch until around the middle of the season. Glasnow is particular, if he stays fit, could be a real superstar ace.

With Teoscar Hernandez signed from the Mariners to support their batting, and with an opening three in the batting lineup of Betts, Ohtani and Freeman, people are getting very excited. It seems highly likely that they will better their 100 wins of last year. However, as of the end of the 2023 season, we have the Rangers(AL), Phillies(NL) and Braves(NL) ranked ahead of them (See the full rankings here.

Add in the strengths of the Orioles, Rays and Diamondbacks, and a World Series victory suddenly becomes a different prospect. Baseball is a funny nut to crack, you can assemble the greatest team, do everything right, but the foibles of the sport mean that every game in postseason will always be a small deviation (if any) away from 50/50 as to who is going to win. So whilst Dodgers fans can be confident of another strong season, and probably topping their division, don't be surprised if they get no further than the Divisional series again and come up against a Phillies team who have kept the band together for another crack, or the Braves in the conference series who are another 100+ winning team and come up short. However, don't be surprised if a Betts, Ohtani and Freeman offense with a Glasnow, Paxton and Kershaw starting rotation come October sweep all aside on their way to the World Series.

The 2024 season sees the introduction of a couple of new rules, mainly to continue in the streamlining of games for shorter games and increased entertainment value. The MLB has introduced several rule changes for the 2024 season, approved by the Joint Competition Committee.

Notable changes include widening the running lane to first base, allowing runners to be on the left of the foul line within the dirt, reducing the pitch clock to 18 seconds with runners on base, and decreasing team mound visits to four. Additionally, if a new pitcher steps onto the warning track with less than two minutes left in the inning break, the clock will reset to two minutes. The batter-faced requirement mandates that a pitcher who warms up before an inning must face at least one batter.

The 2024 season has been warming up with plenty of big trades. Including the mega money move for the great Ohtani going to the Dodgers. Here is a summary of all the big moves so far:

Corbin Burnes → Orioles for a trade. Joc Pederson → Arizona Diamondbacks for a one-year, $9.5 million deal.
David Robertson → Texas Rangers for a one-year deal.
Rhys Hoskins → Milwaukee Brewers for finalizing a two-year, $34 million contract.
Matt Moore (left-handed reliever) → Los Angeles Angels for a one-year, $9 million deal.
Joey Gallo → Washington Nationals for a one-year, $5 million contract.
Robert Stephenson (right-hander) → Los Angeles Angels for a three-year, $33 million contract.
Josh Hader (star closer) → Houston Astros for a five-year, $95 million contract.
Yariel Rodriguez (Cuban right-hander) → Toronto Blue Jays for a four-year, $32 million deal.
Jordan Hicks (right-hander) → San Francisco Giants for a four-year, $44 million contract.
Marcus Stroman (right-hander) → New York Yankees for a two-year, $37 million contract.
Michael Busch (third baseman) and Yency Almonte (reliever) → Chicago Cubs in a four-player trade.
Shota Imanaga (Japanese lefty) → Chicago Cubs for a four-year, $53 million deal.
Teoscar Hernandez → Los Angeles Dodgers for a one-year, $23.5 million contract.
Sean Manaea (pitcher) → New York Mets for a two-year, $28 million contract.
Robbie Ray → San Francisco Giants in a trade involving Mitch Haniger and Anthony DeSclafani.
Harrison Bader (centerfielder) → New York Mets for a one-year, $10.5 million contract.
Chris Sale (left-hander) → Atlanta Braves in a trade.
Lucas Giolito (right-hander) → Boston Red Sox for a two-year, $38.5 million deal.
Mitch Garver (catcher) → Seattle Mariners for a two-year, $24 million contract.

Attention to all baseball enthusiasts – the situation is rather engaging in the world of baseball following the Houston Astros' victory in the World Series last October. Here are the key developments during Major League Baseball's offseason:

Transfer Market Activity: The move of Shohei Ohtani, the remarkable Japanese player, to the Dodgers has notably disappointed fans of the Angels. Other significant players, such as Cody Bellinger and Matt Chapman, remain available, potentially awaiting proposals from teams like the Red Sox or Mets, which could lead to unforeseen developments.

Player Trades: The offseason is not only for speculation but also for securing deals. Tyler Glasnow's transfer from Tampa Bay to Los Angeles, joining Ohtani in Dodger colours, is a case in point. The Reds are contemplating a move for Jonathan India, whose future remains as unpredictable as the direction of the wind. It’s a dynamic environment, with teams poised to make unexpected decisions.

Strengthening the Bullpen: Clubs are notably enhancing their relief squads. The Padres have acquired Yuki Matsui, a closer from Japan known for his rapid deliveries, and the Astros have welcomed Rafael Montero back to their team. Anticipate some compelling performances from these pitchers next season as teams vie for dominance in this area.

Emerging Talent: Jeter Downs, whose name echoes that of a Yankees legend, made headlines with his debut home run. His performance, along with that of other newcomers, signals a promising future for baseball, even as some seasoned players begin to recede. These emerging talents are worth watching, potentially taking centre stage next season.

Rule 5 Draft: This annual event, which redistributes talent, has introduced fresh faces, offering them another chance to shine in baseball. These players, previously overlooked, may well emerge as leading figures in the sport. It’s a testament to the unpredictability and excitement of baseball's talent pool.

This summary offers a glimpse into the offseason activities within Major League Baseball. With ongoing discussions and potential deals, the offseason promises more developments. So, enjoy a warm drink, don your favourite baseball cap, and prepare for an engaging offseason. The excitement is just beginning.