Milwaukee’s victory over the New York Yankees, capped by Brice Turang’s ninth-inning home run that completed a three-game sweep, highlights a troubling pattern emerging across the American League this season.
The junior circuit is experiencing unprecedented struggles early in the 2024 campaign.
As Sunday’s games concluded, just three American League clubs maintained records above .500, with the Athletics sitting merely two games over the break-even mark. Only Tampa Bay (26-13) and New York (26-15) have shown truly strong performance, though the Yankees just encountered significant difficulty against Milwaukee from the National League Central division.
Should the current season conclude today, Chicago and Texas would claim the final two AL wild card positions despite their identical 19-21 records.
A staggering eleven American League franchises currently sit below the .500 threshold. According to Sportradar data, this represents the highest total through May 10 since divisional play began. Previous high marks included nine teams below .500 at this point in 2019 for the AL and in 2012 and 2010 for the NL.
The expanded interleague schedule contributes significantly to this situation. National League teams have compiled a 107-82 record against AL opponents this year, translating to a .566 success rate. While 2006 saw the AL achieve a superior .611 mark against the NL, that entire season featured just 252 interleague contests. This year has already witnessed 189 such matchups.
Increased interleague competition allows one league to establish greater dominance over the other. Even Tampa Bay, leading the AL East, holds an 8-10 record against NL teams while going 18-3 within their own league.
Baltimore fans are growing increasingly frustrated as their team stumbles through another slow start, following last season’s similar pattern. The Orioles stand at 18-23, positioned just 1½ games from playoff contention, but May included a devastating four-game sweep in New York where they were outscored 39-10.
The Yankees now travel to Baltimore for three games, followed by Tampa Bay visiting for a series beginning Memorial Day. Baltimore’s primary concern involves staying competitive through May’s remainder without creating an insurmountable deficit.
Detroit endured a particularly challenging week regarding their starting rotation, which was expected to provide significant strength. Tarik Skubal was removed from Monday’s scheduled start and faces extended absence due to loose bodies in his elbow. Framber Valdez struggled against Boston on Tuesday and received a five-game suspension for hitting Trevor Story with a pitch.
Jack Flaherty has also underperformed while Justin Verlander has managed only one start.
Despite their 19-22 record, the Tigers remain just half a game from wild card position and 1½ games behind in the AL Central race.
Milwaukee reliever Aaron Ashby has achieved a perfect 7-0 record this season. Pittsburgh’s Roy Face established the modern single-season relief victory record with 18 in 1959, while Hall of Fame knuckleballer Hoyt Wilhelm holds the career mark with 124 relief wins among his 143 total victories.
Andy Pages delivered three home runs and six RBIs during Los Angeles’ 12-2 victory over Houston on Wednesday. Pages, rather than stars like Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, or Kyle Tucker, has provided exceptional offensive production for the defending champions. He maintains a .333 average with nine homers and 35 RBIs.
San Diego staged a dramatic comeback Sunday against St. Louis, with Nick Castellanos’ two-run homer tying the game with their final out. Manny Machado then secured a 3-2 victory in the tenth inning with a walk-off sacrifice fly.
St. Louis held a 95.4% win probability entering the bottom of the ninth, according to Baseball Savant data.
The Padres have recorded four walk-off victories this season, trailing only Chicago’s six. Neither team has suffered a walk-off defeat.
