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For the last few weeks, the New York Mets and the Atlanta Braves have been neck and neck in the race for first in the NL East. The Mets had opportunities to create a gap with the Braves losing consecutive series to the Seattle Mariners and San Francisco Giants, but the lead sits at a single game going into Friday’s action.
Let’s take a look at how the National League East division stands on September 16.
New York Mets (90-55)
Last 10: 5-5
Who’s Hot: Jeff McNeil, IF/OF
The 30-year-old utility man is slashing .385/.469/.423 over the last seven games, raising his OPS to .824 and OPS+ to 135 for the season. McNeil’s .322 batting average is the third best mark in all of baseball, only trailing Freddie Freeman (.329) of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Paul Goldschmidt (.324) of the St. Louis Cardinals.
Who’s Not: Darin Ruf, DH/1B/OF
The Mets traded four players including J.D. Davis for Ruf in hopes he would help their DH situation and he has not. The veteran has a 14 OPS+ with double the number of strikeouts (16) as he does hits (8) in 58 plate appearances.
Injury News
Starting pitcher Max Scherzer threw 3 2/3 innings in a rehab start with Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday. The 38-year-old is set to make his return to the Mets when the team begins their road trip in Milwaukee next week. Scherzer landed on the injured list with left-side irritation back on September 7.
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Atlanta Braves (88-55, 1 GB)
Last 10: 6-4
Who’s Hot: Eddie Rosario, OF
The 30-year-old had a slow start to the season, thanks to complications with his vision that resulted in him needing a laser eye procedure in late April. Since Rosario returned to the team at the beginning of July, his bat has begun to produce consistently. The outfielder is 6-for-12 with an OPS of 1.083 over his last five games.
Who’s Not: Vaughn Grissom, 2B
Grissom has begun to cool down after a fantastic start to his big league career. The 21-year-old infielder is 1-for-17 with six strikeouts over the last five games, owning a .170 OPS during that period. In 31 games, Grissom is slashing .304/.355/.482 with five home runs and 16 runs batted in.
Injury News
Two-time All-Star Ozzie Albies has been reinstated from the 60-day injured list ahead of the Braves’ weekend series with the Philadelphia Phillies. The second baseman has been out since June 13 when he suffered a fractured left foot against the Washington Nationals. Albies is slashing .244/.289/.405 with a 90 OPS+ in 62 games this season.
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Philadelphia Phillies (80-63, 9 GB)
Last 10: 7-3
Who’s Hot: Brandon Marsh, OF
The 23-year-old struggled at the plate during his time with the Los Angeles Angels, but the same cannot be said about his first 25 games in the Phillies organization. Since being acquired on August 2, Marsh is slashing .300/.317/.475 with a 119 OPS+ while providing great defense in center field. His numbers over the last five games are even more eye-opening, as he is 10-for-19 with four extra-base hits during that stretch.
Who’s Not: Alec Bohm, 3B
Bohm has been a critical piece in the Phillies lineup throughout the year, but his bat has slowed down as of late. The 24-year-old infielder is 3-for-19 with four strikeouts and a .568 OPS over the last five games, dropping his OPS to .730 and his OPS+ to 104 for the season.
Injury News
Starting pitcher Zack Wheeler is set to throw a bullpen session at some point today after he threw earlier this week on Tuesday. The 32-year-old right-hander has been out since August 20 with a forearm injury. Wheeler is 11-7 with a 3.07 ERA in 23 starts this season.
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Miami Marlins (59-85, 30.5 GB)
Last 10: 4-6
Who’s Hot: Jordan Groshans, IF
The former third ranked prospect in the Toronto Blue Jays system is off to a fast start with the Marlins. Groshans was 4-for-10 in his first three games at the major league level, including hitting his first career home run off Phillies starter Noah Syndergaard on Thursday night.
Who’s Not: JJ Bleday, OF
Bleday has yet to take advantage of the opportunity since getting called up from Triple-A Jacksonville in late July. The 24-year-old outfielder is struggling to put good at-bats together, as he is slashing .175/.294/.325 with 14 extra-base hits and a 75 OPS+ in 49 games.
Injury News
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Washington Nationals (49-94, 40 GB)
Last 10: 3-7
Who’s Hot: Ildemaro Vargas, IF
Vargas is one of the few position players for the Nationals that have run with the chance to play every day following the trade deadline. The 31-year-old infielder is 7-for-15 with two extra-base hits and zero strikeouts over his last five games. Vargas is slashing .287/.331/.441 since joining the Nationals big league roster at the beginning of August.
Who’s Not: Nelson Cruz, DH
The seven-time All-Star was one of the few key pieces that stayed on the Nationals roster following the exit of Juan Soto and Josh Bell. Cruz has begun to show his age in the second half of the year, slashing .217/.290/.283 with five extra-base hits and 41 strikeouts in 40 games.
Injury News
Starting pitcher MacKenzie Gore (elbow) is set to make a rehab start with Triple-A Rochester next Friday. The left-handed starter has yet to make an appearance with the Nationals since coming over in the trade with the San Diego Padres.
