It’s still very, very early in the 2024 MLB season, but we are already starting to see some trends.
Take, for example, the NL East.
The Atlanta Braves have dominated the division for several years now, winning it every season since 2018.
That impressive streak is now in jeopardy.
Why?
Because the Philadelphia Phillies have emerged as an NL powerhouse.
They were a very solid team projected to be contenders before the start of the 2024 campaign, make no mistake.
However, they have played some amazing baseball and taken advantage of a relatively easy schedule to build a six-game lead in the division.
FOX Sports: MLB presented fans with a big question: Who will win the NL East in 2024?
“The Phillies have a 6 game lead over the Braves in the NL East with over 100 games to go. Will Atlanta catch Philadelphia this year?” they tweeted, with both teams’ records to this date.
The Phillies have a 6 game lead over the Braves in the NL East with over 100 games to go.
Will Atlanta catch Philadelphia this year? 👀 pic.twitter.com/3Lq1qSeHSS
The Phillies are 37-14, and the Braves are 29-18.
We have seen the Braves come back in the standings in miraculous ways before.
In 2022, the New York Mets were up by as many as 10.5 games in the East in early June, but the Braves swooped in and stole the division late in September.
It’s not impossible, certainly not for a really talented squad like the Braves.
These Phillies are about to be tested, too, with a tougher schedule.
However, they are the real deal and won’t be easy to push around.
The battle for the NL East will be fascinating all year, as both teams have the means and resources to win it.