NL East Weekly Recap
Coming into the season, the NL East was heralded to be one of the best divisions to watch this season.
Only a couple weeks in, teams are still searching for their chemistry and identities but from what we’ve seen, it doesn’t take a 111-win squad to make it to the Fall Classic.
Here is where the NL East stacks up after this past week’s action:
Atlanta Braves
Atop the NL East and arguably the best team in the league, the Atlanta Braves haven’t skipped a beat since a season ago, or their World Series win in 2021.
Currently riding an eight-game winning streak, it’s safe to say the Braves’ response is fearsome and intimidating after they dropped three of four to the Padres just over a week ago.
At 14-4, the Braves are fourth in the league in team batting average, currently sitting at .269 and are third in runs scored with 97.
Matt Olson leads the team in home runs and RBI with six and 20, respectively, while Ronald Acuna Jr. has been slashing with a .368 AVG, .448 OBP, and .553 SLG.
It’s still early, but the Braves are seemingly pulling away as their lead over the Mets for first place has now grown to three games.
New York Mets
Last season, it took the Mets nearly until September when they dropped their first series.
This year, they got their series loss out of the way early after being swept by the Milwaukee Brewers, a team who’s making a case to win the NL Central.
Since then, however, the Mets are back on the consistency track as they have won five of their last six.
After sweeping the Athletics in dominating fashion over the weekend, the Mets will have a big rubber match against the Dodgers on Wednesday night.
After taking game one of the series, the bats went cold in game two against Clayton Kershaw.
Although Pete Alonso leads the whole league in homers with eight, the Mets currently don’t have any hitters with an average above .300 — a stat they’ll look to change in order to keep up with the Braves.
Miami Marlins
Coming in at third place in the division, the Miami Marlins are certainly not out of the conversation in terms of being a competitor.
Second-basemen Luis Arraez has been incredible for the Fish, slashing .458 with 27 hits in 59 at-bats.
Meanwhile, defending Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara hasn’t been adequate enough thus far. With a 5.84 ERA in 24.2 innings pitched, Alcantra last took the mound on Sunday in a 5-0 loss to the NL West-leading Diamondbacks.
Alcantara went six innings, allowing all 5 runs on seven hits while striking out nine.
The Marlins came back and took the first two at home against the Giants, with a rubber match looming against Alex Cobb Wednesday afternoon.
Philadelphia Phillies
Surprisingly enough, the defending NL Champs currently find themselves in a little slump to start the 2023 campaign.
After suffering a brutal blow with Rhys Hoskins out for the year, the early return of Bryce Harper may be Philly’s saving grace as the Phillies have not quite found it yet.
It’s inconsistency right now that’s holding them back, as during the weekend in Cincinnati, the Phillies were defeated 13-0 on Saturday but bounced back Sunday in a 14-3 win to split the four-game set.
Sitting at 7-11, a crucial matchup awaits Wednesday afternoon after Philadelphia managed to split a doubleheader on Tuesday with the White Sox.
Sure, they’re not fully healthy, but the Phillies still have a lineup that can produce wins, but April has not historically been a month that’s played in the Phillies’ favor.
Washington Nationals
It feels like a very long four seasons since the Washington Nationals were crowned champions in Houston, as this young, revamped squad faces growing pains in a rebuilding stage.
It’s been a slow start for the Nationals, sitting at 5-12 in last place, and there hasn’t been any true or dominant player thus far.
The Nationals have dropped five of their last six, losing the series to the Angels and Guardians, and dropping the first game against the Orioles Tuesday night.
Patrick Corbin isn’t even the Nationals’ best pitcher right now, with a 6.30 ERA in 20 innings pitched.
Instead, Washington has been leaning on Josiah Gray, but even he is 0-4. Gray has a 3.74 ERA in 21.2 innings with 16 strikeouts, three more than Corbin.
Connor Fenix is a senior majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email cjf5726@psu.edu.
