NL East Rundown: Week 17

The MLB trade deadline is Wednesday and the Mets struck first by acquiring Marcus Stroman. Miami traded away closer Sergio Romo as they continue to bolster their farm system. Meanwhile Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Washington have yet to make major moves. Now without further ado, here is this week’s NL East Rundown. For those that missed last week, click here.

Power Rankings

1) Atlanta Braves (62-44) (3-3 in the past week) (Last week ranked 1)

Atlanta was swept in a two game series by the Kansas City Royals before they took two of three from the Phillies.

After being swept by the Royals, the Braves offense came to life against their division rival. In the first two games, they outscored the Phillies 24-9. Ronald Acuna Jr. was key in the offensive outburst. In the first two games, he had four hits, drove in six runs, and scored four times. Despite losing on Sunday, Atlanta is still up 5.5 games over Washington in the NL East.

Unfortunately for Atlanta, they  saw Nick Markakis and Dansby Swanson both land on the 10 day IL. They will need their bench guys to step up as they head to Washington for a key three game series.

2) Washington Nationals (56-49) (4-4 in the past week) (Last week ranked 2)

Image courtesy of Off The Bench Baseball.

Washington took three of four from the Colorado Rockies before they lost two of three to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Trea Turner hit for the cycle against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night as the Nats went on to win 11-1. This is his second time hitting for the cycle and both times have been against the Rockies. Turner became the third player in MLB history to hit the for the cycle multiple times against the same team.

Stephen Strasburg continued to dominate as Max Scherzer dealt with his back injury. In the month of July Strasburg went 5-0 with a 1.14 ERA, and 44 strikeouts. He also drove in more runs (6) this month then he allowed (4). He is currently on a three game hitting streak. Strasburg has been able to stay healthy this year and is a big reason the team has stayed afloat without Scherzer.

3) Philadelphia Phillies (55-50) (3-2 in the past week) (Last week ranked 3)

Image courtesy of New York Daily News.

The Phillies swept a two game series against the Detroit Tigers before they lost two of three to the Braves.

The Phillies needing starting pitching depth traded for Jason Vargas from the Mets. In return they gave up Double A prospect, Austin Bossart. Vargas is 6-5 with a 4.05 ERA, and 81 strikeouts in 19 games this season. However Vargas has a 3.27 ERA in his last 16 starts. The Phillies need more pitching depth behind ace Aaron Nola. Jake Arrieta needs surgery and the rest of the rotation has struggled or is hurt.

4) New York Mets (50-55) (5-1 in the past week) (Last week ranked 4)

The Mets took two of three from the San Diego Padres and then swept the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Mets are 11.5 games behind the Braves for first place in the NL East, but only six games out of a wild card spot. New York was on the fence of buying or selling and then decided to go for it when they traded for Marcus Stroman. Stroman joins Zack Wheeler, Noah Syndergaard, and Jacob deGrom in a stacked Mets rotation. New York may still trade Wheeler, but they now have one of the best top three out of any pitching staffs in the National League.

5) Miami Marlins (40-63) (4-2 in the past week) (Last week ranked 5)

Image courtesy of NBC Sports.

The Marlins swept a two game sereis against the Chicago White Sox and then started a four game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. They took two of three with the series finale on Monday.

Miami traded away their close Sergio Romo, as well as prospect Chris Vallimont, and a player to be named later to the Minnesota Twins. In return they received prospect Lewin Diaz. Romo is 2-0 with a 3.58 ERA, 33 strikeouts, and is 17/18 in save opportunities. Miami is looking for more position player prospects to add to their farm system. They already have a deep group of young arms and need offense to compliment them when the rebuild ends.

NL East Player of the week

Image courtesy of Newsday.

Jacob deGrom, New York Mets– deGrom has continued to look like his 2018 self as he blanked the Padres. He went seven shutout innings, gave up four hits, walked one, and struck out nine. After battling injuries and inconsistency, deGrom has settled in. He is 6-7 with a 2.89 ERA, and 163 strikeouts. Unsurprisingly, his turnaround has came at the same time as the Mets current winning streak.

Honorable mention- Trea Turner, Ronald Acuna Jr.

Injuries

Atlanta Braves- Dansby Swanson was placed on the 10 day IL July 27, retroactive to July 24, with a right foot contusion.

Nick Markakis was placed the 10 day IL on July 27. He fractured his left wrist.

Miami Marlins- Dominic Smith was placed on the 10 day IL on July 27 due to stress reaction in his left foot.

New York Mets- Jeff McNeil is day to day with a right shin contusion. He was hit by a pitch on Sunday and the X-rays were negative.

Philadelphia Phillies- Tommy Hunter underwent season ending surgery to fix a flexor tendon in his right arm.

Washington Nationals- Max Scherzer was placed on the 10 day IL wit

Trade Rumors

The MLB trade deadline is this Wednesday at 4pm. Many of the top relievers are still available. Washington Atlanta, and Philadelphia all need to bolster their respective bullpens and should be busy the next few days. If New York decides against selling, then they will also be in the market for some relief help.

NL East Headlines

The Mets traded for Marcus Stroman-

The Mets went out and acquired arguably the best starter on the open market in Marcus Stroman. Stroman is 6-11 with a 2.96 ERA, and 99 strikeouts. The Mets did not give up a single top 100 prospect. Instead they gave up pitching prospects, Anthony Kay and Simeon Woods Richardson.

Feature Image From Bleacher Report

You can ‘Like’ The Game Haus on Facebook and ‘Follow’ us on Twitter for more sports and esports articles from other great TGH writers along with Max.

“From Our Haus to Yours”