As the final week of the 2024 MLB regular season unfolds, teams are locked in high-stakes battles with both postseason and awards races hanging in the balance. Notably, Tommy Edman of the Los Angeles Dodgers has emerged as a pivotal figure in this year's dramatic climax.
Edman, who joined the Dodgers from the Cardinals in a three-team trade involving the White Sox and Erick Fedde, has been a revelation since overcoming significant setbacks. After undergoing offseason wrist surgery and suffering an ankle injury during his rehab assignment, Edman hadn't seen any game action until his recent surge. Despite these challenges, his late-season performance has been nothing short of electrifying.
Tommy Edman's Impact
In the last 15 games leading up to Tuesday, Edman has hit six home runs and stolen three bases. His overall performance with the Dodgers boasts a .265/.310/.470 line in 31 games, highlighted by an even more impressive .284/.333/.523 slash over his last 23 games. Versatile defensively, Edman has started in center field, shortstop, and second base, contributing to a 1.0 WAR over 31 games.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed his admiration for Edman's unexpected power surge: “Really surprised with the power. I know that he has an apt to put the barrel on the ball. Certainly versatile defensively. But in the batter's box, he just really takes good at-bats. He's hit six or seven homers for us already in a short period of time and they all seem like they were big. He's gotten a lot of big hits for us.”
Cedric Mullins' Remarkable Turnaround
Another player making headlines is Cedric Mullins. On June 8, Mullins was struggling with a .170/.221/.301 slash line, but he has since turned his season around. He now holds an overall .228/.299/.404 line with 18 home runs. In his last 85 games, Mullins has posted a positive 2.4 WAR, a stark contrast to his minus-0.4 WAR over the first 57 games of the season.
Reflecting on his journey, Mullins said, “I think the biggest part was for me to stop chasing that season (30-30 in 2021). That season was awesome, but at the same time, I think the reason I'm putting up numbers that are similar to it is because I'm no longer chasing that guy. I'm just being who I am.”
Detroit Tigers on the Brink of Playoff Return
Meanwhile, the Detroit Tigers are on the verge of securing a wild-card spot, eyeing their first playoff berth since 2014. Youth has been a significant factor for the Tigers, with six of Tuesday's starting nine position players being 24 or younger. One of the key stories for Detroit has been Trey Sweeney, who became the starting shortstop after Javier Báez's season-ending hip injury on August 22.
Sweeney, acquired in the Jack Flaherty trade with the Dodgers, has started 29 of 32 games since Báez's injury. A former first-round pick by the Yankees in 2021, Sweeney has demonstrated his potential with a .267/.345/.450 slash line in Triple-A this year, along with 15 home runs and 20 steals in 107 games.
Adding to the excitement, the Tigers recently called up top prospect Jackson Jobe, signaling their commitment to both the present and future of the franchise.
As the 2024 MLB regular season races to a close, the performances of Edman and Mullins will undoubtedly be pivotal in their respective teams' quests for postseason glory. The Tigers' youthful roster, bolstered by the arrival of promising talents like Sweeney and Jobe, could be the x-factor that pushes them over the edge and into October baseball for the first time in a decade.
The final week promises to be a thrilling conclusion to an already unpredictable MLB season, with every at-bat, pitch, and play carrying the weight of potential history.