As the final week of the 2024 MLB regular season approaches, the suspense intensifies as teams and individual players vie for postseason spots and prestigious awards. Among the key narratives unfolding is the impressive late-season surge of Tommy Edman and Cedric Mullins, as well as the Detroit Tigers’ pursuit of their first playoff berth since 2014.
Tommy Edman, a recent addition to the Los Angeles Dodgers, has been a standout performer. Acquired from the Cardinals as part of the three-team Erick Fedde trade involving the White Sox, Edman has made an immediate impact. Despite a challenging start to the season—including offseason wrist surgery and an ankle injury during his rehab assignment—Edman has demonstrated resilience and skill.
In his last 15 games leading up to Tuesday, Edman has hit six home runs and stolen three bases, showcasing a blend of power and speed. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed his admiration for Edman's contribution, saying, “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.”
Edman's statistics with the Dodgers further underscore his value. In 31 games, he boasts a .265/.310/.470 line and has contributed 1.0 Wins Above Replacement (WAR). His performance has been even more remarkable over the last 23 games, with a .284/.333/.523 line. As a versatile player, Edman has started in center field (20 starts), shortstop (9 starts), and second base, proving to be an invaluable asset for the Dodgers as they push toward the postseason.
Meanwhile, Cedric Mullins has experienced a season of two halves. On June 8, his slash line stood at a dismal .170/.221/.301. Since then, Mullins has turned his season around impressively. He now has an overall slash line of .228/.299/.404 with 18 home runs. His performance over the last 85 games has been particularly noteworthy, yielding a positive 2.4 WAR, a stark contrast from his minus-0.4 WAR over the first 57 games of the season.
Mullins attributes his resurgence to a change in mindset. Reflecting on his spectacular 30-30 season in 2021, he remarked, “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.” This shift has allowed him to focus on his strengths and contribute significantly to his team's efforts.
Turning to team dynamics, the Detroit Tigers are on the cusp of securing a wild-card spot, an achievement that would mark their first playoff appearance in a decade. The Tigers’ lineup is a testament to youthful exuberance, with six of Tuesday's starting nine position players aged 24 or younger. This injection of young talent has been pivotal in their late-season push.
The Tigers' infield saw a significant shake-up when Javier Báez suffered a season-ending hip injury on August 22. In his stead, Trey Sweeney stepped up as the starting shortstop. Sweeney, acquired in the Jack Flaherty trade with the Dodgers and a former first-round pick by the Yankees in 2021, has started 29 of the 32 games since Báez's injury. In Triple-A this year, he posted a .267/.345/.450 slash line with 15 home runs and 20 steals in 107 games, underscoring his potential at the major league level. His swift adaptation to his new role has been crucial for the Tigers.
Additionally, the Tigers' farm system has provided a boost with the recent call-up of top prospect Jackson Jobe, further emphasizing the organization's focus on building a competitive team through homegrown talent. As the regular season winds down, the Tigers’ blend of seasoned leadership and youthful prowess positions them well for a potential postseason run.
With the stakes higher than ever, the final week promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the regular season. Players like Edman and Mullins exemplify the individual resilience and talent that can make a difference, while teams like the Tigers illustrate the collective effort needed to secure a spot in the playoffs. Baseball fans are in for a treat as the drama unfolds.