Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
As we reach the end of the first week in May, the NL East continues to be one of the most competitive divisions in baseball, as each individual team is in a different spot in the standings than they were just a week ago.
It also continues to be one of the worst, with no team above .500 for the second week in a row. The Phillies jumped from third place to first in the last week, but even they are just 15-15 on the year and 5-5 over their last 10.
At some point, someone is bound to make a move. The Braves and Mets are playing below their talent levels, but Atlanta seems to be getting healthier. Philadelphia and Washington figure to hang around and compete all season, while the Marlins are starting to fade in the standings.
1. Philadelphia Phillies (16-15)
Last 10: 5-5
Who’s Hot: Vince Velasquez
Injuries thrust the uber-talented but oft-erratic Velasquez into the Phillies rotation and he’s seemingly becoming more comfortable in that role. Velasquez went six innings, allowing just one run with six strikeouts in his last start Monday against the Brewers. That should be plenty good enough to earn another start as Philadelphia searches for consistency behind Aaron Nola and Zach Wheeler.
Who’s Not: Anyone in center field
The Phillies knew center field could be a weak spot entering 2021, but even they couldn’t have imagined the offensive futility the position has so far produced. Roman Quinn leads the pack with 16 starts in center, and is slashing just .116/.255/.233 on the year. Behind him are, Mickey Moniak (seven starts, .120/.214/.240), Odubel Herrera (seven starts, .091/.130/.091) and Adam Haseley (six starts, .190/.190/.238). Limited production from a particular spot is one thing, but at this point it’s like the Phillies have two pitchers in the lineup every day.
Injury Report
Bryce Harper took a 97 mile per hour fastball off the face last week, but came out mostly unscathed. Harper is dealing with a wrist injury, caused by that HBP and aggravated on Sunday that’s kept him out of the lineup for four of the last five games. The Phillies though, are hopeful Harper will avoid an IL stint.
The aforementioned Quinn was placed on the IL Wednesday with a laceration on his finger.
Outlook
Truthfully, the Phillies are probably right on pace as a .500 team. They have top end talent like Nola, Wheeler, Harper and Rhys Hoskins, but are 22nd in the league in defensive efficiency and near the bottom in virtually every bullpen category. Philadelphia has also been ravaged by injuries throughout the young year. Despite all that, the Phillies will take stumbling into first place. Maybe the Braves and Mets never put it together and .500 is good enough to compete for the division. At this point, it doesn’t seem all that farfetched.
Credit: Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports
2. New York Mets (12-13, 1.0 GB)
Last 10: 4-6
Who’s Hot: Pete Alonso
The Polar Bear is up to a .282 average with five homers and 16 RBI on the year. Over his last seven games, Alonso is hitting .333 and his OPS is at .993. Coupled with the resurgence of Michael Conforto (.308/.400/.538 over his last seven) the Mets look to have solidified the middle of their lineup. Kevil Pillar is 8-for-16 with two home runs over his last four games.
Who’s Not: Francisco Lindor
Maybe the coldest player on the planet, Lindor is 0-for-his-last-24, dropping his average to just .157 on the year with just one home run and three RBI. Manager Luis Rojas has continued to bat Lindor near the top of the lineup, and he has been completely unable to get on base for the hot duo behind him.
Injury Report
The Mets lost utility man Luis Guillorme to an oblique injury last Friday, but he seemingly has a real chance to return to action when he is first eligible on May 11.
JD Davis went on the IL Sunday for second time this season with a left-hand injury. Davis was arguably the hottest Mets hitter, averaging .390 with an OPS of 1.089 on the year, before going down.
Brandon Nimmo and his .430 OBP also hit the IL Wednesday, nursing a finger injury.
It seemed the Mets worst fears were realized Tuesday when Jacob deGrom was scratched from his start with a sore lat. MRIs revealed no structural damage however, and the hope is deGrom will avoid an IL stint and be ready for his next start on Sunday.
Outlook
The biggest news out of Queens the last week was the firing of hitting coach Chili Davis after Monday’s game. The Mets have spent most of the year at or near the bottom of the league in virtually every vital offensive category, and the team hopes the move to the more analytically-driven Hugh Quattlebaum will provide some semblance of offensive consistency.
3. Atlanta Braves (14-16, 1.5 GB)
Last 10: 5-5
Who’s Hot: Huascar Ynoa
In his last two starts, the 22-year-old righty has combined for 13.1 innings, no earned runs and 13 strikeouts. And oh, by the way, Ynoa has also homered in both those games, including a grand slam in Tuesday’s 6-1 win over the Nationals.
Who’s Not: Pitchers not named Huascar Ynoa
After two straight shutouts against the Cubs last week, Braves pitchers combined to give up 35 runs over their next four games, all losses. Even Atlanta’s prolific offense can’t overcome a staff giving up almost nine runs per game.
Injury Report
Starter Max Fried was activated off the IL and started Wednesday for the first time since April 13. The Braves will be without the services of starting catcher Travis d’Arnaud for at least several months after he underwent surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left thumb this past week.
Outlook
Out of their 16 losses, 12 have come as a result of three separate four-game losing streaks. One would have to think they’ll figure things out at some point and avoid those types of skids. For their part, the rest of the division has politely dealt with struggles of their own while the Braves get things figured out.
4. Washington Nationals (12-14, 1.5 GB)
Last 10: 5-5
Who’s Hot: Max Scherzer
After an uncharacteristically bad start two outings ago at Toronto (five innings, seven runs, five earned), Scherzer bounced back with a typical dominant outing. The veteran righty threw a complete-game, one-run gem against the Marlins on Sunday, then quickly exited the stadium for the birth of his third child, Derek Alexander.
Who’s Not: Patrick Corbin
Corbin hasn’t been as bad as his 1-3 record and 8.10 ERA would indicate, but consistency has eluded the big lefty so far. After getting pounded in his second start of the year – giving up nine earned runs in two innings of work – Corbin rebounded five days later with a six-innings, no-run performance. In his last two starts, Corbin gave up four runs in four innings against the Mets and again calmed down his next start in a seven-inning, two-run effort against the Marlins on Saturday.
Injury Report
Starter Stephen Strasburg continues to make headway towards a return after throwing a bullpen session over the weekends, but the big news in D.C. is the return of Juan Soto. The 22-year-old superstar outfielder returned from the IL and pinch-hit Tuesday night. His return should give the Nats lineup a major boost.
Outlook
Between COVID-19 ravaging their roster early on and injuries to two of their biggest players, the Nationals have done a remarkable job of keeping their season together with scotch tape and bubble gum. Washington had a four-game winning streak ended at the hands of the Braves on Tuesday, and host Atlanta for two more before traveling to the Bronx for a weekend series with the suddenly-surging Yankees.
5. Miami Marlins (13-16, 2 GB)
Last 10: 5-5
Who’s Hot: Jesus Aguilar
The big first baseman is tied for second in the majors with 24 RBI on the year and is slashing .320/.438/.800 over his last seven games. Aguilar’s RBI single in the eighth inning Tuesday gave the Marlins the lead in a game they would go on to win 9-3 over Arizona.
Who’s Not: Paul Campbell
Campbell was already having a tough year, pitching to an 8.74 ERA, mostly out of the bullpen. On Saturday he started against the Nationals, going 3.2 innings, allowing four runs and taking the loss. Things went from bad to worse for Campbell Tuesday, as the MLB announced he would be suspended 80 games after violating the leagues PED policy.
Injury Report
Miami’s been ravaged by injury, losing starters both on the pitching staff and in the lineup. It seems like catcher Jorge Alfaro and starter Sixto Sanchez both could be nearing returns, while center fielder Starling Marte and infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. could be further out.
Outlook
Despite their surprising playoff appearance – and series win – in 2020, the Marlins entered the season still probably a year away from truly competing for the division. Hopefully the fish can get healthy soon, because whether or not they hang around in the division, they’re a fun team with a wealth of young talent that can be a thorn in the side of whoever is competing for the division crown.
