We’re 50 days away from the MLB’s opening day, so let’s check out 50 issues of be aware for the 2024 season.
1. Ohtani’s debut
He signed the biggest contract in North American sports activities historical past. After all, we will’t wait to see him hit bombs at Dodger Stadium.
2. Juan Soto in pinstripes
What number of dwelling runs will he hit to the brief proper porch in Yankee Stadium?
3. Motion Jacksons
Two of the most important prospects, Jackson Holliday of the Orioles and Jackson Chourio of the Brewers will probably make their Main League debuts.
4. Orioles’/Reds’ younger core
Each groups have numerous younger expertise each on the main and minor league ranges.
5. Yamamoto in Dodger blue
How will he modify to pitching within the majors?
6. Worldwide baseball
The Padres and the Dodgers are enjoying in South Korea; the Crimson Sox and Rays will play within the Dominican Republic; the Astros and the Rockies are touring to Mexico Metropolis; and the Mets and the Phillies are going throughout the pond to London.
7. Rickwood Subject
The Giants and the Cardinals will journey to Birmingham, Ala. to play on the oldest skilled ballpark in the USA as part of Juneteenth celebrations to commemorate the Negro League and its historical past.
8. The potential of back-to-back champs
We haven’t seen a workforce repeat since Yankees received the World Collection in 1998, 1999, and 2000. The Rangers stored nearly all the roster from final yr’s championship squad.
9. The A’s closing yr in Oakland
The A’s are transferring to Vegas (until Mayor Carolyn Goodman can stop it) and are within the closing yr of their contract with RingCentral Colosseum.
10. The Dodgers’ tremendous workforce
On paper, sure. However, we received’t actually know till the postseason kicks off. They might win all of it or lose within the NLDS.
11. Championship droughts ending
The Phillies haven’t received the Fall Basic since 2008, regardless of being there twice since — and as lately as 2022. The Yankees are nonetheless looking for their first World Collection win since 2009. The Orioles haven’t received all of it since 1983, however might break by way of this yr. And just like the Rangers earlier than them, the Rays might lastly earn the franchise’s first title.
12. Seeing what Ronald Acuña does subsequent
The Atlanta Braves star is projected to be the MVP once more this coming season. Can he high his 41 homers and 73 steals?
13. Rule adjustments
We noticed the introduction of the pitch clock final yr, and this yr they’re tightening its countdown from 20 to 18, and likewise giving baserunners a bit extra freedom of their lane between dwelling and first base. These are only a few of the a number of rule changes that will probably be in impact as baseball tries to make their video games sooner.
14. Laborious Knocks: Baseball version
The Crimson Sox announced a Netflix documentary just like Laborious Knocks.
15. Remaining yr for some veterans
This could possibly be the final we see of Joey Votto, Zack Greinke, and Clayton Kershaw.
16. Josh Hader with the Astros
Houston added probably the greatest closers within the recreation to an already stable bullpen.
17. Seeing if Cody Bellinger’s bounce again was a fluke or not
On the time of this writing, he hasn’t re-signed with the Cubs or landed a contract anyplace else, so will probably be fascinating to see if he stays in Chicago or goes to his third workforce.
18. Guerrero Jr.’s bounce again
Barring a online game cowl curse, Guerrero is predicted to be one of the vital improved gamers subsequent season by the MLB.
19. Little League Basic
The Yankees and the Tigers will play in Williamsport in August.
20. The Astros might make an eighth straight ALCS
A mannequin of consistency for certain.
21. Mike Trout becoming a member of the 400 HR membership
Assuming he stays wholesome, he’s solely 32 dwelling runs away.
22. Paul Goldschmidt reaching 2,000 hits
It’s just about assured, until the season will get canceled, Busch Stadium will get hit by a meteor or he decides to not play. He wants lower than 100 hits to make it to 2,000.
23. Seeing Chris Sale as a Courageous
He could also be older, however he was nice as a Crimson Sox and provides some depth to the pitching rotation of a World Collection contender
24. Seeing if the Royals enhance after spending cash
Kansas City has the highest payroll in the AL Central.
25. Aces coming back from harm
We all know the defending champion Texas Rangers are going to be good. Think about how good they’ll be once they get Max Scherzer and Jacob deGrom again from harm this summer time.
28. Spring Breakout sequence
If you happen to’re into prospects, you’re in luck. The MLB is launching the Spring Breakout sequence, a four-day occasion of prospect-centric play throughout the Grapefruit and Cactus leagues.
29. Paul Skenes
One of the vital hyped pitching prospects in latest reminiscence is about to make his debut this yr. Can Livvy Dunne’s boyfriend make the Pirates related?
30. Elly De La Cruz’s sophomore marketing campaign
The quickest man in spikes captured the nation’s consideration final yr. He’s making steals cool once more.
31. Orioles new possession
The Baltimore Orioles are formally in new fingers. Will the hedgefund homeowners carry some juice to one of many AL’s latest contenders? The workforce already traded for ace Corbin Burnes.
32. Massive names on the Corridor of Fame poll
Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia, Felix Hernandez, and Dustin Pedroia are the headliners.
33. Seeing Luis Arraez hit
The Marlins second baseman flirted with .400 at factors throughout final season. How significantly better can the hyper-efficient hitter get?
34. Watching Spencer Torkelson take the following step
The previous No. 1 general decide acquired demoted to Triple-A throughout his 2022 rookie season, then responded with a 31-homer outing in 2023. There’s nonetheless loads to study, however Torkelson will help out this Tigers workforce.
35. Watching Ron Washington deal with the Ohtani-less Angels
This workforce has missed the playoffs yearly since 2014. Shohei Ohtani is gone, and Mike Trout is getting into the later levels of his Corridor of Fame profession. What is going to the 71-year-old do with this underachieving membership?
36. Spencer Strider presumably reaching 300 Ks
The Braves ace could be the youngest individual since Sam McDowell to hit the strikeout benchmark.
37. The subsequent Cleveland ace
Corey Kluber. Shane Bieber. Tanner Bibee? The Guardians maintain churning out nice pitchers.
38. Nolan Jones makes the Rockies (semi-)watchable
The Mile Excessive Metropolis has nothing going for it in the intervening time, outdoors of Jones’ 20-home run/20-steal season
39. Christian Yelich resurgence
He had a down yr in 2023. However the Brew Crew has a haul of younger expertise. Can the previous NL MVP return to kind?
40. Seeing what Steve Cohen has in retailer for the Mets
The billionaire Mets proprietor spent all of 2023 promoting. Is he bringing again the wheeling-and-dealing mindset that made him such a preferred proprietor to start with?
41. That first ballpark canine
There’s one thing so satisfying about biting into the snapping pores and skin of a recent frank on the ballpark
42. Peanut mud in your hat
It’s the one time you ever use headwear as a meals dish.
43. A pleasant summer time day on the ballpark
When the solar hits your pores and skin good, you recognize you’re dwelling
44. Singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame”
Is it corny? Sure, nevertheless it’s nice that first time (that’s what she stated?).
45. The crack of the bat
When you hear that first good little bit of contact, you recognize you’re again.
46. Making enjoyable of Angel Hernandez
He needs to be banned for all times, however boy is it enjoyable to tear on him.
47. Aaron Boone’s ejections
The Yankees skipper certain is aware of easy methods to make a scene after getting tossed.
48. Pitchers and catchers reporting this month
It means Spring Coaching is sort of right here.
49. Spring coaching
It’s an opportunity to see who’s within the “best shape of their lives.”
50. No Taylor Swift
Except she dumps Travis Kelce for… Bryce Harper? IDK.
