The 2024 MLB regular season comes to an end on September 29.
For most teams, it is a time to pack up, evaluate what went wrong and plan for next season. For other teams, it is time to chase down a championship.
However, there are still plenty of games left to be played before the end of the season. Let’s take a look at five storylines to watch over the final few weeks.
Yankees OF Aaron Judge chasing down another 60-homer season
Judge has been a force in the Yankees’ lineup yet again. He had posted a .333/.467/.731 batting line in his 590 plate appearances entering Friday, hitting 51 homers. Judge became the fifth player in MLB history to have at least three seasons with 50 or more homers, joining Babe Ruth, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa and Alex Rodriguez. He is on pace to hit 61 homers, which would make him the third player with multiple 60+ homer seasons.
Dodgers DH Shohei Ohtani looking to be baseball’s first 50-50 man
Ohtani is already the sixth player in MLB history to have a season with 40+ homers and 40+ steals, becoming the fastest player to join that club. He has not slowed down as he became the eighth player in MLB history to hit 10 homers and steal 10 bases in the same month. Ohtani has 42 homers and 42 steals on the season, putting him on pace for 49 in both categories. However, as Ohtani has proven in the past, nothing is impossible.
White Sox looking to avoid history
The White Sox have been absolutely dreadful this season with a 31-104 record entering Friday. There are plenty of interesting stats highlighting how bad the White Sox have been. Now the 1962 Mets, the worst team in modern MLB history, are in their sights. The White Sox need to somehow post an 11-16 record over the final few weeks to avoid taking over that mantle.
Dodgers P Clayton Kershaw closing in on 3,000 strikeouts
Kershaw did not make his 2024 debut with the Dodgers until July 25 due to offseason shoulder surgery. He has made six starts this season, posting a 3.72 ERA and a 1.414 WHiP in his 29 innings, striking out 24 batters with eight walks, giving Kershaw 2,968 strikeouts in his career. While he likely has five or six starts left in the regular season, Kershaw has pitched into the sixth inning just twice. Kershaw could come close to recording his 3,000th strikeout, but he may fall just short.
3B Manny Machado targeting Padres record
Nate Colbert was one of the first stars in Padres history, a power-hitting outfielder named to three All-Star Games during his time in San Diego. He still holds the franchise record with 163 homers despite having played his last game with the Padres in 1974. Machado has 160 homers in his time with the Padres and should pass Colbert early in September.
