Week 12 is over and there has been a shakeup in the NL East. Atlanta created some breathing room in the division after another superior week. Washington continued to win games and their season seems to be back on track. Philadelphia had a week to forget while the Marlins had a week to remember. New York repeated with another inconsistent week as they try to stay afloat. Without further ado, here is this week’s NL East rundown. For those that missed last week’s issue, click here.
Power Rankings
1) Atlanta Braves (46-32) (4-2 in the past week) (Last week ranked 1)
The Braves were able to show the division why they are in first. They started the week off by taking two of three from the Mets and then took another two of three from Washington. Atlanta came back after they were down 8-4 on Saturday to stun the Nats 13-9. Then on Sunday, they won thanks to a two-run pinch-hit homer by Johan Camargo in the top of the 10th.
The downside of this week was during Sunday’s game, Cy Young candidate, Mike Soroka left early. He was hit by a pitch in the top of the second inning on his pitching arm. Hopefully, he won’t be out for long, because the Braves will need Soroka as they try to stay in first. On the season Soroka is 8-1 with a 2.07 ERA and is a crucial part of the Braves recent surge.
2) Philadelphia Phillies (39-38) (0-6 in the past week) (Last week ranked 2)
The Phillies went winless this week as they were swept by Washington and Miami. The Phillies have lost seven straight and are 6-14 in June. Injuries to the bullpen as well as Andrew McCutchen and a slumping offense has stopped the team in their tracks. The All-Star break cannot come fast enough for this team. Hopefully, an extended break will give the team the rest they need so they can turn their season around.
A moment 10 years in the making…
Chase Utley really threw his first pitch to @RMcElhenney! pic.twitter.com/ajCOXqz5k5
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) June 21, 2019
On Friday the Phillies had a retirement ceremony for Chase Utley. Utley played 13 seasons for the Phillies and helped the team win the 2008 World Series. The ceremony was a bright spot during a tough week.
3) Washington Nationals (37-40) (4-2) in the past week) (Last week ranked 4)
Washington swept the Phillies before they lost two of three to the Braves. Max Scherzer added another memorable start to his impressive resume. On Tuesday he broke his nose after he bunted a ball into his face during batting practice. He announced he would still start the game on Wednesday against the Phillies. Unfortunately for the Phillies, Scherzer’s broken nose did not slow him down. He went seven shutout innings, struck out ten, gave up four hits, and walked only two.
On Saturday Trevor Rosenthal pitched the seventh inning with a four-run lead and walked the first three batters he faced before he was pulled. All three runners went on to score as the Braves tied the game and later went on to win. On Sunday the Nats cut Rosenthal, after giving him multiple opportunities to prove himself. They now have another roster spot open for another reliever to help out the bullpen.
4) New York Mets (37-41) (3-4 in the past week) (Last week ranked 3)
New York fell to fourth in the power rankings due to losing two of three to the Braves and then split a four-game series with the Chicago Cubs. New York has struggled as of late due increasing injuries to the offense and pitching staff.
Jacob deGrom gave the team an opportunity to win one but they squandered it away. deGrom went six innings, giving up two runs on eight hits, walked none, and struck out nine. He even added an RBI single in the fifth to help himself out. After he departed, Seth Lugo came in and gave up three runs and the offense was unable to produce for the rest of the game. This game was just an example of the Mets current season. They will need to dig deep if they want a chance of turning their season around.
5) Miami Marlins (30-46) (5-2 in the past week) (Last week ranked 5)
Miami split a four-game series with the Cardinals and then swept the Phillies. They ended the week on a four-game win streak.
Rookie Jordan Yamamoto improved to 3-0 on the season in three starts. He went five innings, gave up two runs on two hits, walked four, and struck out seven. The 23 year-old who was acquired in the Christian Yelich trade, has shined in his limited opportunities. Yamamoto has helped a pitching staff that ranks fifth in the MLB in ERA with a 3.71. This is great news for a rebuilding team and shows the fans what they can expect in the future.
NL East Player of the week
Freddie Freeman, Atlanta Braves- Freddie Freeman is on a tear, as this week he hit .435 with two home runs and 12 RBI’s. Freeman delivered in the clutch Saturday with a three-run double that tied the game at 8. The Braves went on to win.
Freeman hit an RBI in 10 straight games to tie the Atlanta Braves record. He had a chance on Sunday to break the record but was unable to do so.
Honorable Mentions– Max Scherzer, Ronald Acuna Jr., Jordan Yamamoto.
Injuries
Atlanta Braves- Sean Newcomb was sent on a Triple-A rehab start on June 22. He has been on the 60-day IL with a head injury.
Mike Soroka left the game early on Sunday after he was hit by a pitch on his arm when he was batting.
Miami Marlins- Jorge Alfaro was placed on the 7-day IL on June 21st with a concussion.
New York Mets- Jeurys Familia was placed on the 10-day IL on June 18 with a Bennett lesion in his right shoulder.
Philadelphia Phillies- Placed Pat Neshek on the 10-day IL on June 20 with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain.
Washington Nationals- Victor Robles left the game early on June 22 with dehydration. He was not in Sunday’s lineup.
Trade Rumors
Atlanta- They may look to add more bullpen help.
Washington- If they can take advantage of their upcoming stretch of games, then Mike Rizzo might pull the trigger on a trade for more bullpen help.
NL East Headlines
New York Mets get into an altercation with a reporter- For those that missed it, following Sunday’s loss to the Chicago Cubs, the Mets’ manager Mickey Callaway and starting pitcher Jason Vargas got into an altercation with a reporter.
Callaway told the public relations staff to “Get this motherf—-er” out of the clubhouse and when Healey didn’t leave, Vargas got into a stare down with him. Words were exchanged and Vargas had to be restrained from him.
— Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) June 23, 2019
Nothing has come out yet on what the reporter said to set off the Mets manager, but this is an unfortunate situation indeed.
Peter Alonso sets records- On Saturday, Peter Alonso broke the record for most home runs by a rookie with 26. He passed Cody Bellinger who hit 25 in 2017. On Sunday Alonso added to his record by hitting his 27th home run.
His 27th home run broke the record for the most home runs by a Mets rookie. Needless to say, Alonso is having himself a hell of a season.
Feature Image From Bleacher Report
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