2024 MLB Season 10 Questions

By: Joe Cardoso

It’s getting warmer and the sun is staying out a little longer as we thaw out from winter. With that comes the start of a new MLB season and fans are excited to see who can make a run at the World Series and what stars will emerge across the league. It was an offseason that saw Shohei Ohtani make the move to an already-loaded Dodgers team. Now all eyes are on them and anything less than a ring is a waste. The season is 162 games long which gives us so much to watch and moments to remember. So with that being said here are 10 questions I want answer to during the 2024 MLB season.

1. Can the Baltimore Orioles Live Up To The Hype?
   They were the darlings of the league last season and had Camden Yards rocking. With a host of great young talent led by Jackson Holliday who won’t be in the minor leagues for long trust me. How will they react to being expected to win and being the hunted? Corbin Burnes is a name to watch out for as well.

   

2. How many games will the Dodgers win?
   This team is STACKED from top to bottom, and the rotation is solid so unless they get hit with injury this team should be must-see TV. The latest news on Ohtani is still blurry as we wait for more information to come out. On the field Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts have a lot of baseball left on them and will we see an adjustment period for Yoshinobu Yamamoto? Worst case they have enough pieces if things aren’t working they can make moves to reach their goals most teams would kill for that kind of power.
3. Which one of the teams on the brink makes the leap to postseason play?
   The Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners, Chicago Cubs, and Cincinnati Reds come to mind when I think of young teams that could use a visit to the excitement that is October baseball. Which one of these clubs or one I didn’t mention will get it done and make it? I am also keeping an eye on Cleveland who can win 80-85 games as well.
4. Is 2024 the year of the Atlanta Braves?
   The boys from the A are looking for a 7th division title but also a World Series title. This offseason they made moves to improve the rotation and added some bats as well. Will it be enough to make it to the mountain top we will see. It is “World Series Or Bust”
5. The clock is ticking loud for the Phillies, Yankees, and Padres who’s alarm goes off first?
   These fan bases are suffering from high expectations and getting bad results. Each one is different but the one thing they have in common is no titles to show for it. For the Yankees fans like me are in disbelief as teams pass us in terms of talent and the Bronx is no longer a spot-free agents run to. We have needed pitching forever and some young blood would do us some real good. The San Diego Padres made a splash by backing up the Brinks truck and grabbing high-price talent. It hasn’t worked so they traded away some and let others walk. Now a new youth movement comes in and we will see if that is enough to get them over the hump. Fernando Tatis Jr. also looks to clean up his image and be the face of not just the franchise but perhaps MLB. The Phillies have been on a hell of a run and I for one do not think the window is closed. Back-2-Back deep runs in the playoffs a ring has to be next right? The sting of losing games 6 & 7 of the NLCS at home is all the fuel they should need to get it done. Trea Turner getting off to a hot start would be nice this team has a core all in its prime that is bad news for the rest of the National League.
6. Young Talent Everywhere!
   This is a great time to be a fan of MLB with the amount of young stars all over the league. You can pick 1 or 3 and follow them as they become superstars. In case you need some names here are some that come top of mind to me:

   Jackson Holliday-Baltimore Orioles

   Bobby Witt Jr- Kansas City Royals

   Julio Rodriguez- Seattle Mariners

   Elly De La Cruz- Cinncinnati Reds

   Ronald Acuna Jr- Atlanta Braves

7. Who doesn’t think the Houston Astros are still a threat?
   Well let us take a look at the stats during the last nine seasons, the Astros have gone to the playoffs eight times. They’ve gone to the ALCS SEVEN straight years. They have four pennants and two World Series titles. They’ve won 100+ games four times. This is the gold standard for the rest of the league when it comes down to it they will have a say in how things play out.
8. Will we see a 80 stolen bases season?
   We saw Ronald Acuna Jr steal 73 bases which made his the first to do it since 2009! The new rules have made stealing all the rage again and fans love it. Who will be the league leader? As the kids like to say fast ain’t fair.
9. Who will win the AL Central? Why can’t it be the Detroit Tigers?
   With the longest streak in MLB of not making the postseason it has to end sometime so why not this year? They have a ton of youth that has been in and out of the big leagues some more than others. Can they take some of the good vibes from how last season ended and build off of it into this year?
10. Is this the year that MLB FINALLY figures out how to market its talent?
    As I said ealier the league is full of super talented players and personalities but time after time the league finds a way to not showcase them. We have seen some signs they understand it with the live in-game interviews during the All-Star game and regular season games. Local outlets are doing more and more interviews with its stars so fans can get to know players better. Here is to hoping this season it all comes together.

This season will be one for the books and have moments and games we will enjoy. What are somethings you want to see or are predicting for the season let me know. Follow me on X @JoeCardoso301. Until next time PLAY BALL!