Jun 26, 2021; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets right fielder Michael Conforto (30) is mobbed by teammates after hitting a sacrifice fly to defeat the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
At the beginning of June, the Washington Nationals were jockeying with the Marlins for last place in the division.
Now, as the calendar officially flips to July, not only are they in second place, they’re closing in a hurry – just two games behind the division-leading Mets.
For their part, New York finished the month at .500, a welcome development for a team with the Mets injury problems and their past struggles in June. The last game of the month was certainly a forgettable one – a 20-2 laugher of a loss to the Braves that erased the team’s plus-16 run differential on the year – but Jacob deGrom takes the hill Thursday with a chance to take the series.
1. New York Mets (41-35)
Last 10: 4-6
Who’s Hot: Pete Alonso
The big first baseman has been getting his hits – his average is up to .264 on the year – but wasn’t hitting for much power of late. He’s homered in two of his last three games though, and should benefit from more protection in the lineup as players continue to get healthy. He needs to hit for more power at home though, he has just one of his 13 homers at Citi Field this year.
Who’s Not: Miguel Castro
The wildcard reliever had a great start to 2021, but issues with his location have slowed him in a big way recently. He allowed two runs in one inning of work in his last appearance on Monday, and seems to be falling out of Luis Rojas’s circle of trust.
Injury Report
Dellin Betances had worked back up to Triple-A after hitting the IL in the first week of the year, but his season is done as he’ll undergo shoulder surgery.
Meanwhile, the Syracuse Mets currently boast Brandon Nimmo, J.D. Davis, Jonathan Villar, Jeurys Familia and Tomas Nido. Those players are all set to return in the very near future.
Outlook
Well, June is over. It wasn’t exactly a rousing success, and the Nationals are nipping at their heels, but the Mets made it to July in first place. They’re about to be as healthy as they have since Opening Day, and play a decidedly easier schedule than Washington leading up to the All-Star break with 10 games against the Yankees and Pirates sandwiched around a three-game set in Milwaukee.
2. Washington Nationals (40-38, 2 GB)
Last 10: 8-2
Who’s Hot: Kyle Schwarber
With all due respect to Trea Turner, who is also on fire, is there a hotter player on the planet right now than Schwarber? If it feels like every time he swings the bat, the ball leaves the stadium, that’s because it’s basically the case. Over his last 15 games, Schwarber has 12 homers and a slugging percentage of .917.
Who’s Not: Jon Lester
After picking up his first win as a National back on June 19, the veteran lefty has combined to pitch just 7.1 winnings in his next two starts, allowing 12 runs.
Injury Report
Pitchers Stephen Strasburg, Erick Fedde, Daniel Hudson and Kyle Finnegan, as well as outfielder Andrew Stevenson, are all making steady process in their recoveries.
Reliever Tanner Rainey was placed on the IL Tuesday with a stress reaction in his right leg.
Outlook
The hottest team in baseball entered a tumultuous stretch in front of the All-Star break, with series’ against the Rays, Dodgers, Padres and Giants. That apparently doesn’t scare the Nats, as they completed a two-game sweep of Tampa Bay on Wednesday with a resounding 15-6 win. If they’re going to overtake the Mets in first by the break – and that certainly seems possible – they will definitely have earned it.
3. Atlanta Braves (38-41, 4.5 GB)
Last 10: 5-5
Who’s Hot: Charlie Morton
The veteran righty hung a curve in the seventh inning against the Mets Tuesday that James McCann turned around for a three-run homer. Before that though, Morton had gone over 20 innings without allowing a run over three starts.
Who’s Not: Abraham Almonte
Thrust into action because of Marcell Ozuna’s injury, Almonte has struggled mightily. He’s slashing just .167/.333/.262 over his last 15 games, and before Wednesday had gone 10 of 11 games without a hit.
Injury Report
Just when it looked like Mike Soroka was making progress, he re-tore his Achilles tendon earlier in the week. A devastating blow for the starting pitcher, who will have to again have surgery on the tendon.
Outlook
The Braves continue to disappoint, hovering around the .500 mark at about the halfway point. Not only have the Nationals passed them by to battle with the Mets for tops in the division, but Philly – for all their mediocrity – is just a half game behind Atlanta in fourth place. After Thursday’s finale with the Mets, the Braves play the Marlins twice and the Pirates before the break. If they want to avoid a lost season, they desperately need to take care of business.
4. Philadelphia Phillies (37-41, 5 GB)
Last 10: 3-7
Who’s Hot: Bryce Harper
Over his last 15 games, Harper is slashing .315/.383/.630 for the Phils. Last week, he hit three homers in four games and went deep twice on Wednesday.
Who’s Not: Neftali Feliz
Desperate for bullpen help, the Phillies turned to the one-time closer, and early returns have not been promising. Feliz has made two appearance this week, combining to pitch one inning and allow four runs. His ERA is currently a comical 36.00.
Injury Report
Didi Gregorius and Brandon Kintzler both started rehab assignments in Triple-A.
Reliever Sam Coonrod was placed on the IL with forearm tendonitis.
Outlook
The first 13 days of June, the Phillies went 7-2. The next 17, they went 5-10. Their next three series’ come against the Padres, Cubs and Red Sox before the break. They’re just half a game out of third, but that stretch could drop them closer if they aren’t careful.
5. Miami Marlins (34-45, 8.5 GB)
Last 10: 4-6
Who’s Hot: Joe Panik
The Marlins traded for the 30-year-old infielder on Tuesday, and after driving from Buffalo (where he was playing with the Blue Jays) to Philly, Panik homered and singled in the go-ahead run in a Miami win over the Phillies on Wednesday.
Who’s Not: Jorge Alfaro
The Marlins’ catcher is struggling mightily at the plate of late. In his last seven, Alfaro is slashing .083/.083/.083 with 12 strikeouts. He hasn’t driven in a run in his last 15 games dating back to June 10.
Injury Report
Sixto Sanchez continues to throw from 120 feet, while Brian Anderson is inching closer to a return to action.
Starter Cody Poteet was placed on the IL with a knee sprain.
Outlook
It’s officially spoiler time in Miami. At 8.5 games back and 11 under .500, there’s virtually no hope for any kind of success in the standings, but if the Mets and Nats are going to battle for first over the summer, games against the Marlins are going to be very important.
