Standings

1st- Atlanta Braves- 93-58, clinched playoff birth

2nd- Washington Nationals- 82-66, 9.5 games back, 1.5 games up in first Wild Card

3rd- New York Mets- 77-72, eliminated from division, 4 games back of second Wild Card

4th- Philadelphia Phillies- 76-72, eliminated from division, 4.5 games back of second Wild Card

5th- Miami Marlins- 52-97, completely eliminated

Recap

PHILLIES

The Phillies split a four game series against the Braves to start the week. Scott Kingery hit an inside-the-park home run on Tuesday to secure a win. It was Kingery’s 19th home run on the season and the first of that variety for the Phillies since Nick Williams in 2017. Kingery is hitting .294 against the Braves this season with 7 extra base hits and 5 RBIs in 14 games. 

But then the Phillies were swept in a two game series by the Red Sox. Eduardo Rodriquez threw 6 2/3 of one run ball while striking out 12 on Saturday, and Christian Vazquez hit two home runs, including a grand slam, on Sunday. Sunday’s loss put the Phillies’ Wild Card chances on life support heading into a tough 11 game road trip. 

Upcoming games- Three in Atlanta, followed by three in Cleveland

BRAVES

Atlanta split four games in Philly to start the week. Dallas Keuchel continued to roll in Wednesday’s win. The lefty went six innings while allowing one run on three hits and struck out 8 Phillies hitters. 

The Braves then rebounded and took two of three from the Nationals to end their road trip. Saturday’s 10-1 win officially clinched a postseason berth for Atlanta. Mike Foltynewicz went six innings while allowing one run on 4 hits with 5 strikeouts. Ozzie Albies and Nick Markakis combined for 7 of the Braves’ 14 hits and 4 total RBIs. 

Upcoming games- Six at home with three against Philadelphia, followed by three against San Francisco

NATIONALS

The Nats started their week by winning two of three in Minnesota. Thursday’s rubber match was another explosion from the Washington offense. The Nats combined for 14 hits and four home runs with one each from Rendon, Eaton, Soto, and Gomes.

Washington then came home and dropped two of three to the Braves. The sole win of the series came on Sunday in a 7-0 shutout. Anibal Sanchez went seven innings while allowing three hits, then Hunter Strickland and Sean Doolittle took things the rest of the way in blanking the Braves.

Upcoming games- Three in St. Louis, followed by three in Miami

METS

The Mets once again revived their Wild Card chances with a huge four game sweep over the D-Backs at home. Wednesday’s win was a 9-0 shutout that featured Steven Matz going six innings while allowing four hits and 7 strikeouts. Jeff McNeil went 3-4 with 3 RBIs to lead the offense.

New York then wrapped up a 10 game home stand by losing two of three to the Dodgers. The lone win came Saturday in a 3-0 shutout. Jacob DeGrom went seven while allowing three hits and striking out 8 but did not get a decision. New York scored the only three runs in the game in the bottom of the eighth courtesy of a pinch hit three run double from Rajai Davis. 

Upcoming games- Three in Colorado, followed by three in Cincinnati 

MARLINS

The Marlins continued their march to 100 losses by getting swept in a four game series at home by the Milwaukee Brewers. The Brewers were able to complete the sweep on Thursday despite losing reigning NL MVP and former Marlin Christian Yelich for the rest of the season to a broken kneecap on Tuesday.

Miami was then able to avoid a winless week by taking one of three from the Giants. That one win came Saturday in a 4-2 victory after Jorge Alfaro hit a two run home run, his 15th on the season, to break a scoreless tie in the seventh. 

Upcoming games- Three in Arizona, followed by three at home against Washington

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