The Atlanta Braves are currently at the top of the National League East, but the Miami Marlins may be the biggest story through two months of the season. Their improvement from a year ago proves they may be in the running for a playoff berth down the stretch. As for the other three teams, including the New York Mets, it has been much of an inconsistent product on the field as of late.
Let’s take a look at how the NL East stands on June 5.
Atlanta Braves (35-24)
Last 10: 5-5
Who’s Hot: Eddie Rosario, LF
The 31-year-old had a remarkable weekend series against the Arizona Diamondbacks, recording an RBI in each of the three games. Rosario hit three home runs, one of which was a go-ahead grand slam in the ninth inning of Atlanta’s 8-5 victory on Sunday. The outfielder is slashing .357/.357/.821 with ten hits, three home runs and seven runs batted in over his last seven games.
Who’s Not: Michael Harris II, CF
Michael Harris II has experienced major regression in his second big league season, failing to make much an of impact with his bat at the bottom of the Braves lineup. The 22-year-old is just 6-for-47 with a total of three runs batted in and 18 strikeouts over the last 15 games. While Atlanta has been able to withstand his struggles, they will need him to perform better in order to reach their ultimate goal of winning a World Series. Harris is hitting .168 with a .506 OPS in 134 plate appearances this season.
Injury News
Max Fried remains without a concrete timetable for his return from a left forearm strain. The Braves expected the starting pitcher to miss a few months, but he could be back on the mound towards the end of June if his throwing progression goes smoothly. Fried has not pitched since May 5, making a total of five starts in 2023.
Miami Marlins (32-28, 3.5 GB)
Last 10: 7-3
Who’s Hot: Luis Arráez, 2B
The former Minnesota Twin is having a magnificent year in his first season with the Marlins, leading the league with a .392 batting average. Arráez is slashing .429/.476/.518 with 24 hits, 12 runs batted in and five walks over his last 15 games. The 26-year-old is maybe the biggest reason why the Marlins and four games above .500 and are currently tied for the third Wild Card spot with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Who’s Not: Sandy Alcántara, SP
Injury News
Trevor Rogers threw five scoreless innings in a rehab start on Sunday with Triple-A Jacksonville. The Marlins placed the left-hander on the injured list with a left biceps strain back on Apr. 21. Rogers made four big league starts prior to the injury, pitching to a 1-2 record with a 4.00 ERA in 18 innings.
New York Mets (30-30, 5.5 GB)
Last 10: 5-5
Who’s Hot: Starling Marte, RF
Who’s Not: Francisco Lindor, SS
Injury News
Omar Narváez has officially been activated off the injured list, rejoining the Mets big league roster ahead of their three-game series with the Braves. The 31-year-old catcher has missed the last two months with a left calf strain, recording a hit in three of his first four starts. Narváez will begin to split time at the catcher position with Francisco Álvarez.
Philadelphia Phillies (27-32, 8 GB)
Last 10: 4-6
Who’s Hot: Nick Castellanos, RF
The Phillies offense has struggled as a whole so far this season, but Nick Castellanos is one player who is thriving with the bat. He is slashing .361/.394/.574 with two home runs, eight runs batted in and six runs scored over his last 15 games. Castellanos has provided quality at bats in the middle of their order game after game, leading the team with a .316 batting average and a .858 OPS in 59 games.
Who’s Not: Trea Turner, SS
Injury News
José Alvarado is going to continue his rehab assignment in Double-A Reading before he returns to the big league ball club. The hard-throwing reliever last pitched on May 7, missing the last few weeks with left elbow inflammation. Alvarado is 11-3 with a 3.35 ERA in 137 appearances across two plus seasons for the Phillies.
Washingtion Nationals (25-34, 10 GB)
Last 10: 4-6
Who’s Hot: Joey Meneses, DH
Joey Meneses is replicating what he did at the end of the 2022 season, giving the Nationals an impact bat in the middle of their lineup. The 31-year-old is slashing .322/.374/.430 with one home run, 20 runs batted in and 17 runs scored over his last 30 games. The only thing missing in his game is the home runs, but besides that, Meneses has been everything the Nationals could have expected and then some.
Who’s Not: CJ Abrams, SS
The former San Diego Padre had a solid stretch where it looked like his bat had begun to show some progression, but that has not been the case as of late. Abrams is 10-for-54 with two home runs, seven runs batted in, 15 strikeouts and a .611 OPS over the last 15 games. The 22-year-old shortstop is hitting .237 with a .689 OPS in 54 games this season.
Injury News
Stephen Strasburg has been shut down from all rehab activities for at least a month due to severe nerve damage, per Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post. The 34-year-old right-hander has made a total of eight starts over the last three season, as has yet to pitch in 2023. Fear has begun to set in that Strasburg may be forced to retire because of this latest injury.