NL East Roundup: Mets Division Lead Trimmed to 1.5 Games

At the beginning of this week, the New York Mets had a four-game lead over the Atlanta Braves in the National League East. That advantage has dropped all the way down to 1.5 games since Monday, as the Mets lost two straight to the New York Yankees and the Braves swept a three-game set with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Let’s take a look at how the National League East division stands on August 25.

New York Mets (79-46)

Last 10: 4-6

Who’s Hot: Jeff McNeil, IF/OF

McNeil is having an all-around great season, but what he is doing as of late makes him one of the hottest hitters in all of baseball. The 30-year-old utility man is 23-for-54 with a 1.096 OPS over his last 15 games, raising his OPS to .838 for the year. McNeil ranks fourth among all hitters in batting average at .321 this season.

Who’s Not: Pete Alonso, 1B

The All-Star first baseman is on pace to have one of the best offensive seasons in franchise history, but he is currently in the middle of his first rough stretch at the plate. Alonso is slashing .196/.274/.286 with one home run and seven runs batted in over his last 15 games, including 11 strikeouts during that span.

Injury News

Starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco said he felt much better after throwing a bullpen session on Tuesday. The right-hander left his last start against the Atlanta Braves on August 15 with left-side tightness, which was later diagnosed as an oblique injury. Carrasco could make his return to the mound towards the middle of September if he recovery process goes smoothly.

Atlanta Braves (78-48, 1.5 GB)

Last 10: 8-2

Who’s Hot: Max Fried, SP

Fried should be in the conversation for the National League CY Young award with the kind of season he is having. The left-hander has been great all year, but his outings post All-Star break have been sensational. Fried is 2-1 with a 2.12 ERA and a 0.882 WHIP in 34 innings across five starts during the second half.

Who’s Not: Eddie Rosario, OF

The outfielder has really struggled throughout the 2022 season, both with injuries and the inability to produce at the plate when in the lineup. Rosario is just 9-for-47 with a .602 OPS over the last 15 games, including a staggering 16 strikeouts during that stretch.

Injury News

Second baseman Ozzie Albies joined the Braves on their six-game road trip as he continues to ramp up his baseball activities. The 25-year-old has been out since June 13 with a broken right foot and should be back on the field at some point in September.

Philadelphia Phillies (69-55, 9.5 GB)

Last 10: 6-4

Who’s Hot: J.T. Realmuto, C

The three-time All-Star is not only having another productive season, but he has been scorching hot with the bat over the last week and a half. Realmuto is slashing .429/.467/.750 with one home run and five runs batted in over the last seven games, raising his OPS to .803 for the season.

Who’s Not: Rhys Hoskins, 1B

Hoskins is someone the Phillies have been able to rely on as an everyday first baseman this season, which has helped the slugger produce plenty of power with his bat (26 home runs in 2022). But when the ball is not leaving the park for the 29-year-old, he tends to struggle like he is at the moment. Hoskins is just 4-for-28 with six strikeouts and a .429 OPS over his last seven games, hitting no home runs during that span.

Injury News

Former National League MVP Bryce Harper is getting closer to a return after suffering a fractured left thumb in late June. In two minor league games with Triple-A Lehigh Valley, the 29-year-old superstar is five-for-eight with two home runs, four extra base hits and a 2.325 OPS. Harper could be back with the Phillies as soon today or tomorrow, per Jon Morosi of MLB Network.

Miami Marlins (54-70, 24.5 GB)

Last 10: 4-6

Who’s Hot: Edward Cabrera, SP

The 24-year-old right-hander is proving to be dominant when healthy this season, pitching to an excellent 1.41 ERA in seven starts. Cabrera has been even better in the second half, giving up no runs across 22 2/3 innings across four appearances.

Who’s Not: Joey Wendle, IF

While the Marlins have a lineup full of hitters struggling at the plate right now, the utility man is having the roughest stretch of them all. Wendle is just 1-for-18 over his last six games, dropping his OPS to .628 for the year.

Injury News

2022 All-Star Garrett Cooper reported to Single-A Jupiter to begin a rehab assignment earlier this week. The 31-year-old has been out since August 16 with a concussion. 

Washington Nationals (42-83, 37.0 GB)

Last 10: 4-6

Who’s Hot: Lane Thomas, OF

Thomas has been one of the bright spots in the Nationals lineup over the last week and a half. The 27-year-old outfielder is 10-for-29 with a .862 OPS over his last seven games, increasing his OPS to .686 for the season.

Who’s Not: Nelson Cruz, DH

The 42-year-old designated hitter is currently struggling at the plate, slashing .185/.214/.296 with 11 strikeouts over the last seven games, dropping his OPS to .664 for the year. Cruz is hitting .236 in 111 games this season, his lowest number in that statistical category since the 2007 season.

Injury News

Recently acquired starting pitcher MacKenzie Gore threw off a mound Wednesday. The 23-year-old left-hander last pitched in the majors on July 25 for the San Diego Padres before sustaining an elbow injury.