theScore's MLB editors Josh Goldberg, Bryan Mcwilliam, Tom Ruminski, Ben Wrixon, and Brandon Wile answer some of the biggest questions two months into the 2024 season.
Which team is your World Series favorite right now?
New York Yankees: It's well-documented that the Yankees haven't made a World Series appearance since 2009. That wouldn't be too big a deal for most teams, but it's unacceptable for their fans. This year's roster looks capable of getting over that hurdle and contending for New York's 28th championship. The offense is in great shape with Juan Soto and Aaron Judge leading the charge. The major X-factor will be whether Gerrit Cole can return healthy and resemble the pitcher he was when he won last year's Cy Young. Luis Gil, Marcus Stroman, Nestor Cortes, and Carlos Rodón have done more than enough to increase the Yankees' confidence of performing in a postseason setting. The AL playoff field also doesn't feature the same juggernauts as the NL. - Goldberg
Philadelphia Phillies: After missing a golden chance at a World Series last season, the Phillies are fully loaded for another shot. The offense remains elite - especially with Alec Bohm and Bryson Stott continuing to develop into key pieces - while the rotation might be the best in the majors with Ranger Suárez pitching even better than ace Zack Wheeler. The bullpen remains the biggest weakness, but it's also the easiest to address at the deadline. Philadelphia's proven it can handle the Braves in the playoffs, and winning the division would be the easiest path to avoiding the Dodgers in the NLDS. The Phillies have come so close, and it feels like this roster is the one capable of finally pushing through. - Wile
Los Angeles Dodgers: The Dodgers recently lost five straight but are still one of MLB's best and most-feared teams, ranking second in runs scored and third in run differential. Los Angeles has three MVP winners in Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman - all of whom are having terrific seasons - as well as Cy Young-caliber ace Tyler Glasnow and Yoshinobu Yamamoto atop the rotation. The eventual returns of Max Muncy, Evan Phillips, Brusdar Graterol, Bobby Miller, and Clayton Kershaw will further strengthen the Dodgers. - Mcwilliam
Which player is appointment viewing?
Elly De La Cruz, Reds: The 22-year-old is proving last season's debut was no fluke and is on pace to accomplish similar feats to what Ronald Acuña Jr. did during his unprecedented 2023 NL MVP season. De La Cruz already has nine homers and 31 stolen bases through 56 games, which gives him a shot to flirt with a historic 30-90 campaign. - Ruminski
Paul Skenes, Pirates: No pitcher since Stephen Strasburg debuted in 2010 has had me tripping over myself to get to a screen faster than Skenes. The No. 1 pick from the 2023 draft is already appointment viewing thanks to a fastball with the highest average velocity among starters (99.3 mph) and a "splinker" that's generating a 40.3 whiff percentage. Skenes pitched six no-hit innings against the Cubs in his second career start. - Mcwilliam
Aaron Judge, Yankees: When the Yankees outfielder is locked in, there might not be a more feared hitter in the sport. Judge has been incredible following a slow start and now leads MLB in doubles (18), home runs (18), slugging (.617), and OPS (1.020). He's homered in 12 of his last 23 games, adding 11 doubles. While it's unlikely anyone ever breaks Barry Bonds' single-season home run record, Judge feels like the one player who could at least come close to challenging the mark. He's only two seasons removed from 62 homers and also entered June 1 with 18 that season. - Wile
Tyler Glasnow, Dodgers: Los Angeles won the offseason when it signed Shohei Ohtani, but the club may have also made the best trade by acquiring Glasnow from the Rays. The imposing righty has an MLB-high 95 strikeouts in 67 innings and is capable of punching out double digits on any night. If watching a pitcher make an opposing lineup look silly is your idea of a good time, Glasnow is the guy you can't afford to miss. - Wrixon
Who's been the best under-the-radar offseason acquisition?
Jordan Hicks, Giants: There was a lot of intrigue - and some skepticism - when the Giants handed Hicks a four-year, $44-million contract to pitch in the rotation after a strong run as a high-leverage reliever. Hicks had a bumpy eight starts for the Cardinals in 2022, but he's transformed into a different pitcher in San Francisco. Hicks incorporated a sinker and a sweeper into his repertoire this season, with both pitches holding opponents to a batting average well under .200. He's also generating ground balls at an elite rate. Hicks is only 27, suggesting he could have staying power as a starting pitcher. - Goldberg
Seth Lugo, Royals: When the Royals signed Lugo to a three-year, $45-million contract, they thought they were getting a dependable middle-of-the-rotation arm. Instead, they've gotten an ace who's pitched to a 1.72 ERA and 1.01 WHIP across his first 12 starts. While his 3.20 FIP and less impressive expected stats suggest impending regression, Lugo's already provided the surprising Royals with exceptional value. He's a proven strike-thrower (5.8% walk rate) who should continue to succeed within the pitcher-friendly confines of Kauffman Stadium. - Wrixon
Chris Sale, Braves: Atlanta rolled the dice trading for the oft-injured left-hander in December - he'd made just 31 starts over the previous four seasons and was hardly pitching up to his former All-Star self. But Sale's turned back the clock with the Braves, posting a 2.12 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, and 78 strikeouts in 63 2/3 innings. Sale received a two-year, $38-million extension before he'd even thrown a pitch for the club. What looked like a major gamble could prove to be a bargain. Sale's been exactly what Atlanta's needed to help fill the void left behind with Spencer Strider's injury. - Wile
Which breakout season are you enjoying most?
Luis Gil, Yankees: Many wondered how the Yankees would fill the Gerrit Cole-sized hole in their rotation, and the answer turned out to be with a budding star doing an awfully good impression. Gil's struck out 79 batters over 63 1/3 innings with a 1.99 ERA and 0.95 WHIP. If the 25-year-old continues to limit hard contact (93rd percentile in hard-hit rate) and miss bats (11.2 K/9) as he has so far, there's no reason to think he won't be pitching meaningful games for New York down the stretch. - Wrixon
Ranger Suárez, Phillies: In this day and age of high velocity, it's nice to watch a bit of a throwback like Suárez. The former swingman is an early NL Cy Young candidate, and he's relying on improved control, command of the zone, and a strong five-pitch mix highlighted by a sinker. Suárez has put together some solid years, but nothing at this level. - Mcwilliam
Jurickson Profar, Padres: The 11-year veteran is enjoying easily the best season of his career at age 31. The former top prospect is slashing .323/.421/.495 with eight homers and 35 RBIs across 59 games. Profar's performance is a feel-good story as well after he was released by the Rockies last August before rejoining San Diego at the end of 2023. He ended up signing a one-year contract with the Padres in February. - Ruminski
What's one of the most interesting early-season stories?
Retirement of Angel Hernandez: Fans, players, and managers rejoiced when the most polarizing umpire in baseball decided to call it a career. MLB reportedly approached Hernandez about leaving, and he obliged after the two sides negotiated a financial settlement. This is a good thing for baseball - Hernandez's ego impacted the game way too often. The move hopefully indicates that Manfred and the league are ready to hold umpires accountable, especially with robot umps potentially coming to the majors in 2026. - Ruminski
Jorge López's unceremonious departure from Queens: The glove toss seemed innocent at first but ended up causing quite a bit of chaos. López was designated for assignment Thursday, with manager Carlos Mendoza saying the club wouldn't "tolerate" that type of behavior. Despite an ownership change and roster turnover throughout the years, the Mets always find a way to still be, well, the Mets. López probably shouldn't have thrown his glove into the stands, but the team also deserves some share of the blame here. Letting López speak without a translator or PR person postgame - English is not his first language - made things worse as his comments were misinterpreted. It's just another dysfunctional chapter in Queens. - Wile
The Royals' return to relevance: Things have been bleak in Kansas City since the Royals won the World Series in 2015 as the team hasn't made it back to the postseason. Expectations were high entering 2024 after a surprisingly busy offseason. The plan seems to be coming to fruition - the Royals are right in the thick of a surprisingly competitive AL Central. Kansas City is led by superstar shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. and emerging third baseman Maikel Garcia, who's putting together a breakout campaign in his third MLB season. - Goldberg
