Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
Despite the struggles of 80 percent of the division, the middle of June is still too early to say the Mets are running away with the NL East, but we’re certainly getting closer to that point.
New York continues to thrive behind one of the best starting rotations in baseball, reaching their high-water mark at nine games over .500 with a 3-2 win over the Cubs on Tuesday. Meanwhile, no one else in the division is even at .500. The Phillies are closest at just one game under, but they’ve shown no ability through two and a half months to eclipse that mark with any consistency.
Strangely enough, every team besides the Braves is at least .500 at home, but the NL East hasn’t traveled well, as none of the five squads are within three games of even on the road.
1. New York Mets (34-25)
Last 10: 7-3
Who’s Hot: Taijuan Walker
The Mets are 10-2 overall and 6-0 at home when Walker starts. Over his last two outings, Walker has combined to pitch 14 innings, allow three runs, one walk and strike out 21. His 12 Ks against the Cubs Tuesday were a career-best.
After the game last night, Walker revealed that the Mets were the only offer he received in the offseason, and it’s certainly worked out for both parties thus far.
Who’s Not: Jacob Barnes
The righty was DFA’d Monday as the Mets recalled fan-favorite Sean Reid-Foley from Triple-A. Barnes was essentially the lone weak spot in an otherwise fantastic bullpen. He allowed a grand slam and solo homer to back-to-back hitters Sunday, sealing his fate.
Injury Report
Jeff McNeil and Albert Almora Jr. are both on rehab assignments at Triple-A Syracuse, and could return any day now. Michael Conforto should start his own rehab stint in the coming days. Suddenly the already-hot Mets are getting healthy. The backups have done a remarkable job thus far, and as everyday players start trickling back, the Mets could have one of the deepest teams in baseball.
Outlook
New York has already taken the first two games of a four-game set with the Cubs, and have Jacob deGrom and Marcus Stroman on the hill for the next two. The Mets have three double-headers and only one day off before the All-Star break, but their pitching staff is giving them a chance to win virtually every day.
2. Philadelphia Phillies (32-33, 5 GB)
Last 10: 6-4
Who’s Hot: Zack Wheeler
The righty starter keeps on producing for the Phillies. Over his last two starts, Wheeler has combined for 15.1 innings, two runs, two walks and 20 strikeouts. His eight shutout innings on Friday set the table for a Phillies dramatic win, and he’ll get the ball Wednesday night as Philly looks to salvage the last of a three-game set with the Dodgers.
Who’s Not: Rhys Hoskins
The Phillie first baseman is absolutely flailing at the plate right now. He hasn’t had a hit since June 5, and is 0-for-31 in that span with four walks and eight strikeouts. Yikes.
Injury Report
Bryce Harper and Jean Segura both left Tuesday’s game with injuries and are both listed as day-to-day.
After pausing his rehab from an elbow injury, Didi Gregorius has resumed his stint at Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
Outlook
The Phillies may not be a great team, but they certainly aren’t boring. Philadelphia won three-straight games in walk-off fashion last week against the Braves and Yankees before downing the Yanks 7-0 on Sunday to climb to one game over .500. Philly promptly dropped its last two to the Dodgers, falling back under the even mark that they’ve flirted with all season.
3. Atlanta Braves (30-34, 6.5 GB)
Last 10: 4-6
Who’s Hot: Luke Jackson
The veteran reliever has been the best in the bullpen for the Braves thus far. He hasn’t allowed a run in 13-straight outings dating back to May 12, and his scoreless seventh inning Tuesday lowered his season ERA to 1.07
Who’s Not: Dansby Swanson
The shortstop is slashing just .192/.222/.269 over his last seven games and has just one multi-hit game in June.
Injury Report
General Manager Alex Anthopoulos said he’s optimistic the Braves could get Travis d’Arnaud, Huascar Ynoa and Mike Soroka back in August, but whether that’s too late remains to be seen.
Also, starter Tucker Davidson was just placed on the 10-Day IL and will undergo an MRI on his forearm.
Outlook
What is going on in Atlanta?
The division favorite Braves have lost five of their last six, including three to the Marlins, and have fallen to third in the division, just a game ahead of fourth place. Things aren’t getting any easier for the Braves either. After Wednesday’s series finale against the Red Sox, their next four series’ come against the Cardinals, Mets, Reds and Mets again – all teams currently above .500.
4. Washington Nationals (29-35, 7.5 GB)
Last 10: 5-5
Who’s Hot: Kyle Schwarber
After 11 games without a homer, Schwarber hit four in four games over the last week. His two on Sunday gave the Nationals a series split with San Francisco.
Who’s Not: Daniel Hudson
The veteran reliever was placed on the 10-Day IL with elbow discomfort, but is expected back at the end of his required time. Prior to the injury, Hudson had allowed runs in three of his last five appearances.
Injury Report
Max Scherzer joined Stephen Strasburg on the IL this week. Scherzer has been a source of trade rumors, but is currently on the shelf with groin inflammation. Strasburg meanwhile isn’t even throwing and his status for 2021 is very much uncertain.
Outlook
The Nats are out of the cellar, which is good news in D.C., and just a game back of the third-place Braves. It’s still hard to see this team make a run, but four games in three days against the Mets over the weekend could certainly provide a boost in that regard.
5. Miami Marlins (29-38, 9 GB)
Last 10: 5-5
Who’s Hot: Zach Thompson
In just the second appearance of his career – and first start – the 6-foot-7 righty threw five shutout innings against Atlanta on Saturday, striking out six. Thompson could be the latest find in an already impressive crop of young arms for Miami.
Who’s Not: Late-Inning Relievers
The Marlins bullpen has been one of the best in the league, but faltered in the first two games against the Cardinals. Miami’s Dylan Floro gave up two runs in the eighth to break a 2-2 tie on Monday, then Yimi Garcia was victimized by a Paul Goldschmidt walk-off homer on Tuesday.
Injury Report
Shortstop Miguel Rojas should be activated this weekend, but third baseman Brian Anderson was transferred to the 60-day IL and Corey Dickerson hit the 10-day list on Tuesday with a left foot contusion.
Outlook
Miami has actually won its last two full series’, taking two of three from both Colorado and Atlanta, but has dropped the first two against the Cardinals. At nine under and nine back, the Marlins hopes of back-to-back playoff appearances are all but over. The biggest question in Miami is the future of superstar Starling Marte.
