The final week of the 2024 MLB regular season has arrived, bringing with it high-stakes action as postseason and awards races are poised to be decided by Sunday. Among the standout players in this crucial week is Tommy Edman, whose late-season surge has been instrumental for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Tommy Edman's Impact on the Dodgers
Acquired from the Cardinals in a three-team trade involving the White Sox and Erick Fedde, Edman has proven to be a valuable asset. Despite undergoing offseason wrist surgery and suffering an ankle injury during his rehab, Edman hadn't seen any game action until recently. However, his performance in the last 15 games has been nothing short of remarkable. He has hit six home runs and stolen three bases, showcasing his versatility and resilience.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed his admiration for Edman's contributions, stating, “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.”
In 31 games with the Dodgers, Edman boasts a .265/.310/.470 slash line. This surge has been particularly evident over the last 23 games, where he improved to a .284/.333/.523 line. His contributions have spanned multiple positions, making 20 starts in center field, 9 at shortstop, and filling in at second base as needed. His overall performance has not gone unnoticed, contributing to a 1.0 WAR over 31 games.
Cedric Mullins' Resurgence
Cedric Mullins of the Baltimore Orioles has experienced a season of two halves. By June 8, his slash line was a dismal .170/.221/.301. However, Mullins has since turned his season around dramatically. His overall numbers now stand at .228/.299/.404 with 18 home runs, contributing to a positive 2.4 WAR over his last 85 games. This is a significant improvement from the minus-0.4 WAR he accumulated over the first 57 games of the season.
Mullins attributes his renaissance to a change in mindset, stating, “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.”
Tigers on the Brink of Playoffs
Meanwhile, the Detroit Tigers find themselves on the verge of securing a wild-card spot, eyeing their first playoff berth since 2014. Their youthful roster adds to the excitement, with six of Tuesday's starting nine position players being 24 years or younger. Among these young talents is Trey Sweeney, who stepped up as the starting shortstop following 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. He was a first-round pick by the Yankees in 2021 and has impressed with a .267/.345/.450 slash line in Triple-A this year, along with 15 home runs and 20 steals in 107 games.
The Tigers have also bolstered their lineup with recent call-ups from their farm system, including top prospect Jackson Jobe, further enhancing their chances of making a strong postseason run.
As the curtain falls on the regular season, players like Tommy Edman, Cedric Mullins, and the youthful Detroit Tigers are making headlines with their pivotal performances. The final week promises to deliver thrilling baseball, as teams and players leave everything on the field in pursuit of glory.