NL East Report: Phillies and Braves Tangling, Mets Back at .500

Team News and Notes

Philadelphia Phillies (31-22)

Despite losing by eight runs on Sunday, the Philadelphia Phillies won two-out-of-three games this past weekend to pickup an impressive series win over the Milwaukee Brewers. The Phillies have now won seven of their last 10 and hold a game and a half lead on the Atlanta Braves in the division.

Pitching

The Phillies pitching has been strong lately as ace Aaron Nola is 4-0 in his last seven starts with a 3.05 ERA and 1.49 WHIP. Jake Arietta is coming off two impressive starts giving up a combined three runs in 14 innings against the Brewers and Chicago Cubs. Starter Zach Efflin is also having a nice campaign thus far with his 3.02 ERA, and 1.19 WHIP to go along with five wins.

In the bullpen, closer Hector Neris has nine saves on the season to go along with a 1.99 ERA, 2.62 FIP, 0.926 WHIP, and 12.9 K/9. Lefty reliever Adam Morgan is also having a nice year posting a 1.96 ERA, 3.87 FIP, 0.709 WHIP.

Hitting

While Bryce Harper‘s struggles continue (.227/.355/.438), the trio of Andrew McCutcheon, Cesar Hernandez, and Jean Segura have picked up the slack offensively. McCutcheon is slashing .316/.426/.579 in his last 15 games, while Hernandez (.309/.345/.527) and Segura (.339/.388/.565) have stayed consistently hot during this time period, as well.

Atlanta Braves (30-24)

The Atlanta Braves have been heating up as of late and are only a game and a half behind the first place Phillies, after their win over the St.Louis Cardinals on Sunday night. Like the Phillies, the Braves have also won seven out of their last 10, which has seen them creep up in the division over the past two weeks.

Pitching

One of the main reasons for their recent success comes from two young starting pitchers, who have dominated. These two pitchers are the National League wins leader Max Fried (7-2, 2.88 ERA/3.66 FIP/1.118 WHIP) and Mike Soroka, who is putting up a stellar 5-1 record to go along with a 1.07 ERA, 2.85 FIP, and 0.888 WHIP.

The back end of the bullpen has also received solid contributions from closer Luke Jackson and his seven saves, 3.00 ERA, 2.40 FIP, and 1.222 WHIP. Relievers Jacob Webb (3-0, 1.72 ERA, 3.87 FIP, 1.021 WHIP) and Dan Winkler (3.60 ERA, 1.133 WHIP) have also posted solid numbers, as well.

The team also acquired former Met reliever Anthony Swarzak last week from the Seattle Mariners. Swarzak has yet to allow a run in three appearances with the Bravos and has five strikeouts in three innings.

Hitting

As for the offense, left-handed batters Freddie Freeman and Nick Markakis continue to pave the way in this young season. Freeman is slugging .317/.406/.577 to go along with 13 home runs and 32 RBIs, while Markakis is slashing a cool .282/.377/.431.

Both Ronald Acuna Jr. and Ozzie Albies are following up their rookie of the year candidate seasons with solid sophomore performances to complement the lineup. Acuna is hitting .277/.368/.480 with 11 homers and 31 RBI, while Albies has slashed .267/.324/.421 to go along with seven home runs and 24 RBIs of his own.

Shortstop Dansby Swanson is also having a breakout season with 10 home runs, 35 RBIs and is slugging .262/.320/.482. The team has also gotten a big boost from top prospect Austin Riley, who is hitting an impressive five homers, and 14 RBI to go along with a .333/.373/.688 in his first 48 major league at-bats.

New York Mets (26-26)

After losing five games in a row, the New York Mets are coming off an impressive 6-1 home stand. The Mets limped back up north a week ago after being embarrassingly swept by the worst team in the league in the Miami Marlins.

In what was an overall crazy week for the Mets that saw Brodie Van Wagenen provide a vote of confidence to manager Mickey Callaway, along with Yoenis Cespedes breaking his ankle on his ranch, the team was able to show their resiliency by winning six of seven.

First it was setup man Seth lugo, who hit the I.L on Monday with shoulder tendinitis, then leading hitter Jeff McNeil joined him on Thursday with a hamstring pull, as did second basemen Robinson Cano (quad). Brandon Nimmo also landed on the I.L with a re-occuring neck issue. Luckily Michael Conforto returned on Sunday, after suffering a concussion 10 days ago.

Despite being riddled with injuries, the Mets replacements have stepped up in a big way to lead several comebacks last week. Carlos Gomez, Rajai Davis, and Adeiny Hechavarria all provided big 3-run homers, which have helped propel the team to some much needed wins over the Washington Nationals and Detroit Tigers.

Pitching

In the rotation, lefty Steven Matz (3.63 ERA, 1.3666 WHIP, 3-3 record) and reigning Cy Young award winner Jacob deGrom (3-5, 3.72 ERA, 1.138 WHIP) have led the charge over the first two months. Zack Wheeler leads the team with four wins, but Noah Syndergaard‘s struggles have continued as he hasn’t really been able to develop consistency this season (4.93 ERA/3.68 FIP/1.255 WHIP).

In the bullpen, closer Edwin Diaz is 13 for 14 in save chances, while posting a 1.71 ERA, 1.048 WHIP, and an extremely high 14.6 k/9 rate. Robert Gsellman (3.41 ERA, 1.263 WHIP) and Seth Lugo (3.12 ERA, 1.000 WHIP) are also having nice campaigns, after their break seasons in 2018.

Hitting

While Pete Alonso has semi-cooled off a bit at the plate, he still has six home runs in his last 15 games and leads the Mets and all rookies with 17. Alonso also has a rookie leading 38 RBIs and is slashing .250/.330/.587. Wilson Ramos is starting to heat up at the plate, as well after a 3-for-3 day on Saturday, where he slugged two homers and drove in four in a Mets win over the Tigers. Ramos’s numbers are now up to .270/.345/.395 with five home runs and 31 RBIs.

Although the majority of Brodie’s offseason additions have flopped so far, J.D. Davis (.270/.346/.443, five home runs, 14 RBI) has arguably been the best and most surprising new comer. Dominic Smith has also provided a major spark off the bench with his solid .340/.456/.489 line.

Washington Nationals (22-31)

After being swept by the Mets in a four game series last week, the Washington Nationals now sit at nine games under .500 and nine games back of the Phillies. Despite being injury riddled to start the year, the Nats lineup is now completely healthy, but their bullpen has remained a constant issue leading the league with a plus six ERA.

Pitching

Starters Patrick Corbin, Max Scherzer, and Stephen Strasburg have all pitched to their expectations for the most part this year. Corbin has been the most dominant with a 5-2 record, 2.85 ERA, 3.3 FIP, 1.032 WHIP, and 10 K/9. Strasburg is putting up an impressive 3.25 ERA and 0.986 WHIP. While Scherzer hasn’t been too lucky in the win-loss column with his 2-5 record, he’s still been solid putting up a 3.41 ERA, 2.35 FIP, and 1.178 WHIP.

As previously mentioned, the Nats bullpen has been a nightmare. Past Sean Doolittle‘s 9 saves, 3.68 ERA, and 1.409 WHIP things get a bit messy. The only other reliever with a sub four ERA is Erick Fedde, who has a 2.18 ERA, 4.03 FIP, and 1.113 WHIP.

Hitting

On the offensive side, third basemen Anthony Rendon is the team’s leading hitter slugging .329/4.23/.678 to go along with 10 homers and 31 RBI. Juan Soto is also having a nice sophomore season slashing .288/.388/.513 with eight home runs and 35 RBIs.

Both Adam Eaton and Howie Kendrick have been solid additions to the lineup, as well. Eaton is hitting .278/.345/.397, while Kendrick is putting up a .303/.346/.549 slash line.

Miami Marlins (16-34)

Despite being 22 games under .500, the Miami Marlins have quietly won six of their last 10 games, three of which came from their sweep over the Mets a week ago. While their recent success is an encouraging sign, it unfortunately does not change the fact that they hold the worst record in the league.

Pitching

The starting pitching has surprisingly been pretty solid led by lefty Caleb Smith. Smith is 3-2, with a 3.05 ERA, 3.3 FIP, and 0.964 WHIP. Trevor Richards is second on the staff with his 4.14 ERA, and 1.399 WHIP.

In the bullpen, closer Sergio Romo has nine saves, but his 4.50 ERA, and 4.83 FIP are rather high for the veteran’s career average ERA 2.91 and 3.07 FIP. Relievers Tayron Guerrero (3.48 ERA, 1.355 WHIP) and Austin Brice (2.29 ERA, 1.373 WHIP) have also been pretty solid this year, as well.

Hitting

Neil Walker is currently leading the Marlins in hitting with a .285/.364/.431. Newly acquired catcher Jorge Alfaro (.250/.309/.414) is having a solid season after being traded to the Marlins this past offseason for J.T. Realmuto. Veteran utility man Martin Prado (.243/.270/.313) is arguably having the worst season of his career from an on base and slugging standpoint.

Injury Report

Phillies: Reliever David Robertson is expected to be out until June 23 (elbow). Pat Neshek will be out until July with a shoulder injury.

Braves: Jacob Lindgren (elbow) will be back on Tuesday. Ender Inciarte will be sidelined until June 7 with a back injury. Reliever Darren O’Day (forearm) is expected to be back in early June.

Mets: Seth Lugo will be out until June 25 with shoulder tendinitis. Brandon Nimmo (neck) will be out until at least June 8th. Jed Lowrie (hamstring) is expected to be back around June 17. Jeff McNeil (hamstring) is expected to be out until at least June 1st and and Robinson Cano (quad) should be back around the 4. Reliever Justin Wilson (elbow) won’t be back until June 4 and Luis Avilan (elbow) will be out until June 1.

Nationals: Annibal Sanchez (hamstring) will be out until June 6th. Ryan Zimmerman is expected to be back on June 1st (foot). Jeremy Hellickson will be back on May 3 (shoulder). Koda Glover is out until June 6 (forearm).

Marlins: Peter O’Brien (ribs) and Jon Berti (oblique) are both expected back on Tuesday and Wednesday. Drew Steckenreider (elbow) will be out until July 5. Reliever Riley Ferrell (biceps) will be out until June 1.