NL East Roundup: Surging Nats Soar into Second

Don’t look now, but here come the Nationals.

Within the last couple weeks, Washington has climbed its way out of the basement and into second place. The trio of Trae Turner, Kyle Schwarber and Juan Soto are propelling the Nats offensively, and they’re finding a way to get it done on the mound mostly without the services of Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg.

The continued struggles of the rest of the division have helped make it possible for Washington to climb so quickly – they’re still under .500 and in second place – and the Mets don’t seem to be in too much danger yet.

But New York has struggled lately, especially on the offensive side of things. Getting Jeff McNeil and Michael Conforto back, after both missed over 30 games with hamstring injuries, has already paid dividends, but now the Mets have a new rash of injuries – this time to their pitching staff – that they have to work through.

1. New York Mets (38-31)

Last 10: 4-6

Who’s Hot: Edwin Diaz

Maybe Brodie Van Wagenen’s trade wasn’t so bad after all? After a really ugly 2019, Edwin Diaz has simply been one of the best closers in the game over the last two seasons. He’s only allowed two runs in June and on Wednesday recorded his second five-out save of the season.

Who’s Not: Sean Reid-Foley

The fan-favorite reliever was called back up on June 16 after almost three weeks in Triple-A, and as of Wednesday is already back in Syracuse. Reid-Foley allowed runs in two of his three appearances after his return, including five runs in 1 2/3 innings of work on Saturday.

Injury Report

Just when the Mets position players started getting healthy, their pitching staff has quickly been decimated.

Jeff McNeil and Michael Conforto returned this week and Brandon Nimmo is only days away. That has immediately helped the struggling offense.

Pitching is another story. Jeurys Familia was enjoying a career resurgence, but hit the IL this week, along with Robert Gsellman – who will miss extended time with a torn lat. Joey Lucchesi was pitching the best he has in his career, but will miss the rest of this season and much of next as he undergoes Tommy John surgery.

Marcus Stroman left his last start Tuesday after just two innings with hip soreness, but his MRI came back clean, so he could avoid an IL stint. Meanwhile, early-season hero Jonathan Villar is day-to-day with a calf injury.

Outlook

Winning Wednesday’s game to salvage the series finale from the Braves was huge for the Mets, who have four games in the next three days with the Phillies. Assuming the offense figures things out with the return of its everyday players, it will be up to guys like Jerad Eickhoff and Tylor Megill to help pick up the slack in the rotation.

2. Washington Nationals (35-36, 4 GB)

Last 10: 9-1

Who’s Hot: Kyle Schwarber

Over his last seven games, the big man is slashing .321/.367/.964 for the scorching hot Nats. He’s hit six homers in his last four, including five in two days against the Mets, and now has 19 long balls on the year.

Who’s Not: Joe Ross

Despite an eight-inning shutout performance against the Giants on June 13, Ross has allowed 13 runs in three of his last four starts. He didn’t pitch terribly against the Mets on Saturday, but Francisco Lindor tagged him for two homers and five RBI.

Injury Report

Scherzer returned for the Nationals Tuesday and gave the Nats an immediate boost in their rotation.

In the bullpen, Kyle Finnegan has been one of the better relievers for Washington this year, but landed on the IL Tuesday with a hamstring injury.

Outlook

It’s starting to feel like 2019 in D.C.

Winning nine-of-10 will get you on the right track in a hurry, and the Nationals are in a good spot to stack up a few more wins as they begin a four-game set with the Marlins on Thursday. We’ll see in a hurry if Washington is for real after that. Its next four series’ before the All-Star break come against the Rays, Dodgers, Padres and Giants with a makeup game against the Mets thrown in on Monday.

3. Atlanta Braves (35-38, 5 GB)

Last 10: 5-5

Who’s Hot: Charlie Morton

The 14-year vet hasn’t allowed a run in 14.2 innings over his last two starts. Tuesday against the Mets, Morton went seven innings, allowed just one hit – an infield single to a pitcher – and struck out 11.

Who’s Not: Freddie Freeman

Freeman has the power numbers, but the 2020 MVP is hitting 42 points below his career average. He went 4-for-4 against the Mets on Wednesday, but hadn’t had a hit in his previous four games before that. He’s not playing bad, per say, he’s just not playing like at the level he has his whole career.

Injury Report

Outfielders Guillermo Heredia and Ronald Acuna Jr. are both day-to-day with minor injuries, and the Braves placed starter Max Fried on the IL with a blister on his finger.

Outlook

Despite winning three of four from the first-place Mets, the Braves continue to lack any consistency in the win column, and have still never been above .500 as we close the third month of the season. A big reason is that they lead the league in losses when they’re up after seven innings. They had zero of those in 2020.

4. Philadelphia Phillies (34-37, 5 GB)

Last 10: 4-6

Who’s Hot: Rhys Hoskins

After being mired in a horrific slump for much of June, Hoskins has emerged in a big way for the Phillies. The first baseman has an OPS of .982 over his last seven games and has hit four homers in that span.

Who’s Not: Hector Neris

After his third blown save in five games, Phillies manager Joe Girardi hinted that Neris’s days as a closer may be numbered. Neris was lights-out for much of May, but has severely underperformed in June.

Injury Report

The middle infield for Philly is in a rough spot with injuries to Didi Gregorius and Jean Segura, and neither seem like they’ll be returning in the very near future.

Outlook

Philadelphia has lost its last three series’ – to the Dodgers, Giants and Nationals in heartbreaking fashion – and have four games with the Mets due over the weekend. Despite their struggles, the Phillies still sit just five games back of New York, but that number could become close to insurmountable with a poor performance in Queens this weekend.

5. Miami Marlins (31-42, 9 GB)

Last 10: 3-7

Who’s Hot: Sandy Alcantara

One of an impressive stable of young starters, the 25-year-old has been near untouchable over his past four starts. Alcantra has combined for 30.1 innings in that span, allowing just four runs and striking out 22.

Who’s Not: Miami in Tight Games

How does a mostly competitive team with a strong young pitching staff fall 11 games below .500 by the end of June? Well, the Marlins are 5-16 in one run games on the year, a tortuous stat for the Miami faithful. All 40 of them.

Injury Report

Garrett Cooper has started a rehab assignment in Triple-A, and should return soon. Starters Sixto Sanchez and Elieser Hernandez are still a ways off, but are both progressing in their throwing programs.

Outlook

Hopes of a second-straight postseason appearance are all but over in Miami, and attention now turns to first-year GM Kim Ng and what moves she’ll make at the deadline, especially with Starling Marte – who should command a hefty price on the trade market.