MLB 2024 early season winners and losers
In the American League East, the Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees are leading the pack, with the Orioles' winning percentage at .650 and the Yankees' close behind at .643. The Boston Red Sox, Tampa Bay Rays, and Toronto Blue Jays are trailing, with the Blue Jays at the bottom of the division.
The Central Division sees the Cleveland Guardians in the lead with a .619 winning percentage, followed closely by the Minnesota Twins and Kansas City Royals. The Detroit Tigers are in the middle, while the Chicago White Sox are struggling significantly this season.
Out West, the Seattle Mariners are on top with a .548 winning percentage. The Texas Rangers and Oakland Athletics are in the mix, but the Houston Astros and Los Angeles Angels find the season challenging, with the Angels at the bottom of the division standings.
Over in the National League, the Philadelphia Phillies lead the East with an impressive .698 winning percentage, followed by the Atlanta Braves. The Milwaukee Brewers lead the Central Division, closely followed by the Chicago Cubs. The Los Angeles Dodgers dominate the West, with the San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks chasing.
Winners
Baltimore Orioles: Surging Forward
The Orioles have showcased an impressive early-season performance, with a record of 26 wins and 14 losses and a .650 winning percentage. Their prowess is particularly notable during away games, where they have secured 12 out of 17 victories.
Leading the charge in batting is Adley Rutschman, who boasts a .309 average, complemented by an on-base percentage of .343 and a slugging percentage of .491.
Gunnar Henderson has also made significant contributions with 12 home runs and 27 RBIs. On the pitching front, Corbin Burnes has been a standout with an earned run average of 2.68 and 49 strikeouts, effectively anchoring the team's defensive efforts.
Cleveland Guardians: Dominance at Home
The Guardians have started the season with a strong start, amassing 26 wins against 16 losses, reflecting a winning percentage of .619. Their home record is particularly strong, standing at 12-6. This home-field advantage has played a crucial role in their successful early-season run.
A key player for them has been Steven Kwan, who has excelled with a batting average of .353 and leads the team with an on-base percentage of .407 and a slugging percentage of .496. His ability to consistently get on base and advance has been pivotal for the Guardians' offensive strategy.
Philadelphia Phillies: Balanced and Powerful
The Phillies have emerged as one of the top contenders this season with an exceptional record of 30 wins and only 13 losses, marking a .698 win percentage. Their performance is balanced between home and away games, with 15-7 and 15-6 records, respectively.
Trea Turner has been a major offensive force, maintaining a .343 batting average with an on-base percentage of .392 and a slugging percentage of .460. Bryce Harper has complemented this effort by adding 9 home runs and batting .259.
Overall, the team ranks second in runs scored at 218 and third in batting average at .260, demonstrating their potent and efficient offensive lineup. This balanced attack has made the Phillies a formidable team early in the season, signaling strong potential for postseason success.
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Losers
Chicago White Sox: Struggling to Gain Momentum
The Chicago White Sox faced significant challenges early in the 2024 season. They had only 12 wins against 29 losses, reflecting a low win percentage of 29%. Their difficulties are underscored by their standings at the bottom of several major statistical categories.
Gavin Sheets leads the team with a batting average of .242 and an on-base percentage of .348, while Paul DeJong has contributed 6 home runs. However, the team's overall performance has been lackluster, with the lowest runs scored in the league at 119, a batting average of just .213, and an on-base percentage of .273, all ranking them 30th in the MLB.
Their slugging percentage also lags at .329, further highlighting the struggles at the plate and an inability to generate significant offensive momentum.
Miami Marlins: Facing an Uphill Battle
The Miami Marlins have also stumbled out of the gate with an 11-32 record, translating to a meager 25% win rate. Their offensive output has slightly outpaced the White Sox, but they still face considerable challenges.
The Marlins have scored 160 runs, placing them tied for 24th in the league. Their team batting average is .229, and their on-base percentage is .285, ranking them 22nd and 29th, respectively.
The slugging percentage is .348, which is 28th in the league. These figures reflect a team struggling to find consistency at the plate, hampering their ability to compete effectively in games and suggesting a need for significant adjustments as they look to improve their standings throughout the season.
Final Thoughts
As the 2024 MLB season unfolds, teams like the Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Guardians, and Philadelphia Phillies set a strong pace, while the Chicago White Sox and Miami Marlins struggle significantly. Despite these challenges, there remains potential for turnaround. Teams at the bottom can reassess strategies and player performance to recover their seasons. For those leading, the focus will be on maintaining consistency and capitalizing on their current momentum.
