1Q report: Takeaways from the quarter mark of the 2024 MLB season

Most MLB teams have either already reached the 40-game mark or will at the end of their weekend series, meaning we've reached the quarter mark of the 2024 season.

Here are eight takeaways from the first portion of the year.

Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga was the most important offseason import

With all the attention the Dodgers received for signing Japanese League star Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Cubs' signing of Imanaga didn't make quite as many headlines. But the former Yokohama ace has been stellar in his first season in Chicago. 

Imanaga is currently fourth in NL Cy Young odds, and he'll have stronger odds if he maintains his MLB-best 1.08 earned run average. 

Per data from Baseball Savant, Imanaga makes up for below-average velocity with one of the best chase-rates in the league, ranking in the 97th percentile among pitchers in getting batters to swing at pitches outside of the strike zone.

The Marlins are trapped in a vicious cycle

Every so often, the Marlins appear to be building toward something promising, only to turn around and let all of their talent head elsewhere. 

Instead of building upon last season's unexpected wild-card berth, Miami is once again selling off its most valuable assets. Earlier this month, the Marlins traded two-time All-Star Luis Arraez, unquestionably the team's best position player, to the Padres, signaling another long rebuild is underway. 

Red Sox pitchers recalibrate 2024 expectations 

Not much was expected from Boston after it sat on its hands during the offseason and (seemingly) watched the rest of the AL East get better. 

Instead, the Red Sox (19-19) are in the mix for a playoff berth due to the strength of their pitching staff. Boston starting pitchers lead the majors with a 2.39 ERA in 192.1 innings pitched, per FanGraphs.

Beside its outfield production, Boston's lineup is lacking. Second base has been particularly cumbersome, with Enmanuel Valdez, Pablo Reyes, David Hamilton and Vaughn Grissom all receiving playing time at the position and floundering. They've combined for a .171 batting average, a significant reason for Sox second basemen having the league's worst wins above replacement (WAR) at the position.

Limitations to the lineup gives Boston a hard ceiling, but the outstanding production from its pitching staff might make the front office consider becoming buyers as the trade deadline nears.

The Astros are in trouble

Houston may have already played itself out of an eighth consecutive playoff appearance because of its pitching woes. 

According to Stathead, since 1901, only three teams in MLB history have made the playoffs after winning a third of their first 36 games or fewer. Houston is seeking to become the fourth after its 12-24 start.