Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Hold on to your chairs Mets fans, September has arrived. The Braves continue to make strides towards the Mets and see themselves only one game out of first place. Atlanta, who once saw themselves 10.5 games back on June 1, has shrunk the Mets’ lead to one game.
Philadelphia had a mediocre week and past 10 games. The club went 4-6 in their last 10, and only see themselves 2.5 games ahead of the Brewers for the last wild card. With Zack Wheeler on the IL for the foreseeable future, the Phillies need to find a way to stay afloat.
The Nationals had a surprising series in New York over the weekend. Washington took 2 out of 3 games from the Mets, who had just come off a series win against the Dodgers. It was only the 10 and 11 wins against NL East opponents for the Nationals in 2022.
New York Mets (85-50)
Last 10: 6-4
Who’s Hot: Eduardo Escobar (3B)
Escobar has been putting on a clinic against National League pitching in the past week. Over the past seven days, Escobar is slashing .353/.400/.765 with two home runs. With Brett Baty potentially out for the season, the Mets will need Escobar to continue this hot streak in the month of September.
Who’s Not: Pete Alonso (1B/DH)
Alonso, unfortunately, finds himself back in the “Who’s Not” column for the second week in a row. The Mets’ first baseman has slashed an egregious .095/.208/.238 in his last seven days. To make matters worse, Alonso has only hit two home runs in his past 71 at-bats.
Injury News
Luis Guillorme is slated to start his rehab assignment in Tuesday. The Mets utility infielder has been on the IL since August 15 with a groin strain. Before his injury, Guillorme had registered a 1.6 WAR and an OPS+ of 106 in 82 games.
Tylor Megill also just started a rehab assignment, and Drew Smith will start one soon.
Atlanta Braves (84-51, 1 GB)
Last 10: 7-3
Who’s Hot: Michael Harris II (LF)
The 2022 Braves have ridden the backs of their rookies all year long. None have been better than Michael Harris II. The Braves left-fielder has slashed .455/.500/.761 with only three strikeouts over his last 22 at-bats. This is no fluke, as Harris II has an OPS+ of 143 and leads all National League rookies with 4.3 WAR.
Who’s Not: Kenley Jansen (CP)
Jansen has struggled in the ninth inning recently for the Braves. Opponents have an OPS of 1.219 against the former all-star in his last three innings. Jansen has also blown two saves in his last five chances. With the Braves inches away from first place, Jansen needs to be lock-down in the ninth.
Injury News
Mike Soroka and Ozzie Albies are both making strides in their comeback attempts for Atlanta, according to MLB.com. The Braves’ second baseman will play baseball for the first time on Thursday since injuring his foot back in June. Soroka, who has made three starts in Triple-A, does not have a timetable on his return date as of now. The longest appearance for the Braves ace was 4 2/3 innings in his last start.
Philadelphia Phillies (73-61, 11.5 GB)
Last 10: 4-6
Who’s Hot: Brandon Marsh (CF)
Marsh has been one of Philadelphia’s most productive hitters as of late. The Phillies center-fielder has slashed .316/.316/.579 with 6 RBI over the past seven days. Philadelphia will take any offensive production they can get from Marsh. His career OPS+ before the trade was 82+.
Who’s Not: Kyle Gibson (SP)
Gibson has been anything but the all-star pitcher the Phillies traded for back in 2021. The right-hander recorded the worst start of his career against the Giants on September 2, where he gave up 7 ER in 1 ⅔ inning pitched.
Injury News
Zack Wheeler suffered a setback in his elbow, according to NBCSports.com. The Phillies right-hander was supposed to make his scheduled start on Tuesday against the Marlins but is still dealing with inflammation in his elbow. The Phillies starter did not make his scheduled bullpen session in San Francisco either.
Miami Marlins (55-78, 29 GB)
Last 10: 1-9
Who’s Hot: Edward Cabrera (SP)
Cabrera has been one of the few bright spots for the Marlins over the last month. Before a blow-up start to the Dodgers on August 28, the rookie did not give up an earned run in the month of August. Cabrera carried his electric stuff into September, where he pitched 5 innings of one-run ball against the Braves.
Who’s Not: Brian Anderson (3B/OF)
Anderson has been one of the coldest batters in baseball over his last 20 games. In those games, the third baseman is slashing .157/.263/.314. To be fair to Anderson, most of the Marlins hitters could have qualified for this segment. Coming into today, the Marlins had the fourth worst offense in baseball.
Injury News
Anthony Bender will most likely miss the whole 2023 season due to Tommy John surgery. It was a season to forget for Bender, who missed the majority of the season earlier due to back stiffness.
Washington Nationals (47-87, 37.5 GB)
Last 10: 6-4
Who’s Hot: Luis García (2B/SS)
García has been one of the best hitters in baseball over the past week. In the past seven days, the Nationals’ second baseman slashed .385/.407/.731 with seven extra-base hits. García has been one of the Nationals most improved players this year as well. He is batting .298 in September after only batting .242 last year.
Who’s Not: CJ Abrams (SS)
Abrams was one of the prestigious names that Mike Rizzo got in return for Juan Soto this year. The shortstop product has been anything but stellar, however, for the Nationals. In his last 39 plate appearances, Abrams is slashing .179/.220/.205 with one extra-base hit.
Injury News
Nelson Cruz has been sitting with a right knee contusion. The Nationals DH supposedly will be ready sometime during the Cardinals series. Mackenzie Gore might make a return in 2022 as well. The Nationals acquired the left-hander in the Juan Soto deal and was one of the top prospects in baseball. Gore is slated to throw a sim game on Tuesday while the Nationals are in St. Louis.
