Week 8 is in the books and the Phillies are still first in the NL East. They finished the week on a three game winning streak to stay above the surging Braves. The Mets have lost five straight, including being swept by the Marlins, while the Nationals won a series for the first time in over a month. Here is this week’s NL East rundown and for those that missed last week’s issue, click here.
Power Rankings
1) Philadelphia Phillies (27-19) (4-3 in the past week) (Last week ranked 1)
The Phillies just swept an under-performing Colorado Rockies team to stay first in the NL East for another week. The struggling Bryce Harper homered in his last two games
Aaron Nola is starting to return to form as on Saturday he picked up his fourth win. He went six innings, only giving up one as he struck out 12 and walked one. If Nola can return to his 2018 form, then the Phillies are one step closer to winning the NL East.
2) Atlanta Braves (25-22) (4-2 in the past week) )Last week ranked 2)
The Braves have won seven of their last 10 and are only 2.5 games behind the Phillies. Freddie Freeman has homered in his last four games, and young stud Max Fried has continued to dominate. On Friday, he went six innings and only gave up two hits. He walked two, struck out five and picked up the win as they went on the beat the Brewers 12-8. Fried has stepped up and has the Braves in a great position to overtake the Phillies.
3) New York Mets (20-25) (1-5 in the past week) (Last week ranked 3)
The Mets have lost five straight including being swept by the Miami Marlins over the weekend.
After three straight solid outings, ace Jacob deGrom was rocked early and often by the Marlins on Friday. He only went five innings as he gave up six earned runs, walked none and only struck out three. He gave up nine hits which are the most he’s given up in a game this season. The Mets pitching staff will need to carry the team until the offense can right itself. If the starters cant, it may be a long season for Mets fans.
4) Washington Nationals (19-26) (3-2 in the past week) (Sundays game ended late) (Last week ranked 4)
Washington won its first series in over a month as they took two of three from the Mets. They then lost two of three to the Chicago Cubs thanks to another bullpen collapse in Friday’s game.
Fortunately for Washington, Trea Turner returned from the IL. The next few weeks will be crucial for the Nats season. If they can turn things around now that Juan Soto, Anthony Rendon and Trea Turner are all back, they should be sellers at the deadline again. But if the team continues to falter, the roster may look much different in a few months.
5) Miami Marlins (13-31) (3-2 in the past week) (Last week ranked 5)
The Marlins swept the Mets to cap off a winning week. The inconsistent Sandy Alcantara threw a gem as he two hit the Mets on Sunday. He threw a complete game on only 89 pitches, as he struck out eight and only walked one. The 23-year-old Alcantara is one to watch. If he can become more consistent, he will be a key cog in the Marlins rebuild.
NL East Player of the week
Freddie Freeman, Atlanta Braves- Freddie Freeman has had quite a week as he has homered in his last four games. Over the last seven days, Freeman is hitting .368 with four home runs. He was a key reason the Braves were able to take two of three from the Milwaukee Brewers.
Honorable Mentions- Sandy Alcatara, Stephen Strasburg, Ronald Acuna, Jr.
Injuries
Atlanta Braves- Ender Inciarte was placed on the 10 day IL May 15th due to lower back tightness.
Miami Marlins- Jorge Alfaro left the game early on Saturday and did not play on Sunday. He’s suffering from a left calf strain and is day to day.
Jon Berti was not in the lineup Sunday due to a left oblique strain. He is due back any day.
New York Mets- Michael Conforto was placed on the 7 day IL with a concussion.
Philadelphia Phillies- Victor Arano threw a 20 pitch bullpen session on May 14. He has been on the IL with right elbow inflammation since April 20.
Washington Nationals- Trea Turner returned from the IL after breaking his finger early on in the season.
Trade Rumors
N/A.
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”