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2024 Season Recap
No one started the 2024 campaign hotter than the Arizona Diamondbacks who raced out to a 22-8 record after the first month of baseball. But 162 games is a long grind and over time the usual suspects showed their quality. For the 12th straight season the Los Angeles Dodgers captured the NL West pennant. But that was no small feat given how loaded that division was this fall with four of the five members earning playoff bids (poor Colorado).
Speaking of usual suspects, the Atlanta Braves are once again king of the NL East. Ronald Acuna came close to capturing a triple crown finishing 2nd in batting average and RBIs. The Braves never really faced much competition in 2024 and look to be the most dangerous postseason threat to the Dodgers chances at repeating out of the National League.
In the central. Cincinnati did what they had to do to come out with the pennant. They weren’t necessarily elite at any one things but they weren’t awful at anything either. 2022 free agent signee Joey Gallo continues to mash HRs (44) while also striking out at a ridiculously high rate (186). Nick Lodolo (13-9, 3.61 ERA) and Luis Castillo (15-11, 3.52 ERA) make a formidable top of the rotation. Something that could make the Reds a tough out in the postseason.
On the other side of the standings, the Los Angeles Angels easily captured their 3rd straight pennant. A franchise that once consistently underperformed given the talent has now become a juggernaught in hopes of capturing that elusive 2nd World Series title. Unfortunatley for the Angels, they enter the postseason without superstar Shohei Otani who is out with a high ankle sprain. He hit 37 HRs in 2024 while also putting up a 3.24 ERA. A definite blow to the Angles World Series chances.
The AL Central was its usual slugfest of a division. That race went into the final week with the Twins edging out both Cleveland and Kansas City. Byron Buxton continues to be a star in this league while former 8th overall pick Cooper Hjerpe seems to be blossoming into a legit ace.
In the AL East it was a bloodbath with Boston winning the pennant with a 1 game advantage over Tampa Bay. New York hung in for much of the season and were able to earn a wildcard berth. For Boston it’s all about offense with long time veteran JD Martinez (.323, 30 HR, 87 RBI) leading the way. RF Ernesto Galindo though is an emerging star slugging 43 homers in only his 2nd season in the big leagues.
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