Standings via MLB.com

Washington Nationals

It might be a bit premature to break out the champagne, but Washington has already won more games so far this season than their totals of either the 2008 or 2009 seasons. So, hooray.

But on the flipside, Nats first baseman Adam LaRoche left the game Sunday against the Brewers for back tightness, and he is listed as day to day.
Outfielder Xavier Nady was released on Sunday and the Nationals recalled John Lannan. Additionally, the Nats signed free-agent Mike MacDougal to a Minor League contract in Triple-A.

Read more on the Nationals on Win For Teddy

» Continue reading “NL East Recap: Record-Breakers & Re-Runs”

NL East Standings courtesy of: MLB.com

As the regular season winds down and playoff wishes are either granted or dashed, for this edition of the National League East for Around the Horn, I got a little perspective from Aerys Sports lead writers for the Florida Marlins and Washington Nationals.

Miri Diaz, lead writer for A Fishy Situation:

As a Marlins fan, I am used to seeing my team struggle a bit. This season was the worst that I can remember. June… no one wants to think about June. I think we only won as many games as I can count with my 10 fingers. August was almost just as bad.   This year has also seen it’s fair share of drama. This team is like the Real Housefish of Miami. Logan Morrison is not one to keep his mouth shut, so he’s always involved in something somehow. Hanley Ramirez, the team diva and Mr. Do No Wrong in team owner, Jeffrey Loria’s eyes, acting like a drama king. Then Wes Helms and Mike Cameron are released from the team due to conduct. Sigh…

I just want this year to be over with so we can look at 2012 with a lot of great things coming. I just hope the ownerships respects the history of this team and the fans and keep changes decent.

Keara Dowd, lead writer for Win For Teddy:

To sum up the Nats season in a word, only one comes to mind: future.  This season we got to see the development of young talent finally pay off with Danny Espinosa, Wilson Ramos, and Ian Desmond.  Stephen Strasburg returned, Jordan Zimmermann emerged, and Bryce Harper debuted.

There wasn’t much expectation for this year from the beginning.  The team improved from last season, which is a victory in itself.  This team grew closer with the sudden resignation of Jim Riggleman, and they pushed through a bad situation.  While many aspects of the team are still up in the air, one thing is certain: the next couple of years are going to be very, very fun to watch.

Thanks Keara and Miri!

The Philadelphia Phillies just won their 5^th consecutive NL East Division title and are on pace to have the best overall record in the National League, and possibly in all of baseball.  I’ll be completely honest, I’m beyond STOKED!  I’ve been a Phillies fan since birth, I watched them win the whole thing in 1980 and 2008, almost win it in 1993 and 2009, and hopefully will see them win it in 2011!

The Atlanta Braves are still leading the Wild Card race by 3 1/2 games over the St. Louis Cardinals, but the Cards are hot on the their trail and don’t look like a team that’s going to go away easily.  So the Braves who lost two games to the NY Mets over the weekend, need to step it back up if they want to see the postseason. For more on the Braves, visit:  She Is Out Of Your League.

As for the NY Mets, they definitely need to make some changes. And it doesn’t appear they will get much help from their minor league guys, most aren’t ready to be called up to the majors or they just don’t have real strong prospects to choose from, not yet anyway.  For more on the Mets, visit:  Curious Case of Sidd Finch

Heather Carnassale is lead writer for a View From Section 116 (Aerys Sports Phillies Site)

Standings courtesy of: MLB.com

The Philadelphia Phillies continue to reign supreme in the National League East.  And still boast the best overall record in the majors.  Pretty much everything is working well for them, except the occasional lack of offense. Even with losing starters Joe Blanton and Roy Oswalt, they still have aces Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, and Cole Hamels. With the addition of rookie pitchers Vance Worley and Michael Stutes, and of course having a healthy Chase Utley back only improves an already formidable team.

For more on the Phillies, please visit Aerys Sports Philadelphia Phillies site:  View from Section 116

Though the Phillies are still the ‘team to beat’ the surging Washington Nationals are sneaking their way into the mix. But not without controversy. After sweeping the St. Louis Cardinals then a week later sweeping the Seattle Mariners their manager Jim Riggleman resigned. And as of Monday, one-time Mets skipper Davey Johnson took over.  Currently the Nats have dropped two to the Los Angeles Angels and are hoping tonight to avoid being swept themselves.

For more on the Nationals and Riggleman’s resignaton, please visit Aerys Sports Washington Nationals site:  Win For Teddy

If you thought the Nationals sudden winning was shocking, the collapse of the Florida Marlins was probably even more astonishing.  The bottom dwelling Marlins are having an abysmal June, with a record 23 losses, its no wonder their manager Edwin Rodriguez quit on June 19th.

Their interim manager is Jack McKeon who was at the helm back in 2003 when the Marlins won the World Series. McKeon is 80 years old, making him the second-oldest manager in major league history.  The Marlins have lost a record 23 games in the month of June, with wins coming few and far between.  The Marlins were hoping to get right-handed pitcher Josh Johnson back sooner rather than later but they can’t do the happy dance just yet.

The two-time All-Star, who is on the 60-day disabled list with right shoulder inflammation, resumed throwing off the mound on June 17. He has continued tossing in side bullpen sessions every couple of days since.  To make sure there aren’t any complications with his shoulder, the 27-year-old right-hander will get another medical opinion from Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Alabama.  - Marlins.com

For more on the Marlins, please visit Aerys Sports Florida Marlins site:  Fishy Situation

The Atlanta Braves have held onto the second spot for a while now, but they just can’t seem to catch the Phillies, not yet anyway. The Braves swept the Toronto Blue Jays in three games last week and could possible sweep the Seattle Mariners tonight.  Their pitching continues to be their strong suit except for maybe a struggling Derek Lowe. But they are getting help from the likes of catcher Brian McCann whose batting average is .317 and first baseman Freddie Freeman.

Freeman has hit safely in eight of his last 12 games and is batting .304 (45-for-148) with five homers and 20 RBIs over his last 38 games (since May 14) to raise his season batting average 45 points in that span (from .220 to .265). - Braves.com

For more on the Braves, please visit Aerys Sports Atlanta Braves site:   She is Out of Your League

The New York Mets are above .500 for the first time since April 6th.  With a 40-39 record and in third place behind the Phillies, the Mets are 15-10 in the month of June.  Last night they had an impressive 14-3 romp over the Detroit Tigers and broke a grand slam drought thanks to both Jason Bay and Carlos Beltran.  The Mets’ last grand slam before last night’s game was on August 1, 2009 by Angel Pagan.

For more on the Mets, please visit Aerys Sports NY Mets site:  Curious Case of Sidd Finch

Standings courtesy of: MLB.com

The Good:

The Philadelphia Phillies, the Florida Marlins, and the Atlanta Braves.

The Phillies (36-24) have had their ups and downs, especially in the injury department and lack of offense.  But they have led the NL East for most of the season and currently have the best record in the Majors.  They’ve hit a slight snafu by losing back-to-back series to below .500 teams, but bounced back last night with a win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. With their highly lauded starting rotation, which includes Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, and Cole Hamels they are still considered the team to beat.

• Check out Aerys Sports Philadelphia Phillies Site:  View From Section 116

The Marlins (31-27) are on a 5-game losing streak and are 4-games back. This young team is facing an uphill battle without two of its biggest stars.  Shortstop Hanley Ramirez was just placed on the 15-day disabled list, due to lower back inflammation.  He hasn’t played since May 29th. Right handed pitcher  Josh Johnson has been on the DL since May 21st with right shoulder inflammation.  Last night RHP Javier Vazquez gave up six runs on eight hits in four innings to the Milwaukee Brewers.  So though they are still considered “good’ being tied for second place in the east, they need to find a way to turn the ship around.

• Check out Aerys Sports Florida Marlins Site:  Fishy Situation

The Braves (32-28) are tied with the Marlins being 4-games back.  In the off-season they bolstered the starting rotation, which has been comparable to the Phillies’ pitchers.  With the addition of second baseman Dan Uggla, and the ever inspiring if not annoying (this coming from a Phillies fan) Larry “Chipper” Jones, the Braves are good.  And two of those Braves, right fielder Jason Heyward and center fielder Nate McLouth are eligible to come off the DL tonight.  Their return would be a big boost.

• Check out Aerys Sports Atlanta Braves Site:  She is Out of Your League

The Bad (but getting ugly)

The Mets (28-31) are 7 1/2-games back and are in danger of falling even further.  Errors and lack of defense, their bullpen choking on more than one occasion, and injuries are all killing this team.  All-Star third baseman David Wright is on the 15-day DL with a stress fracture in his lower back.  He’s not expected back until at least July and even then there are no guarantees.  Right fielder Carlos Beltran fouled a pitch off the inner part of his right leg in Sunday’s night’s game.  An x-ray was negative and he’s currently listed as day-to-day.  Thing have gone from bad to worse.

• Check out Aerys Sports NY Mets Site:  Curious Case of Sidd Finch

The Ugly

The Nationals (26-34) are 10-games back.  With the offseason signing of right fielder Jayson Werth, the Nats were hoping he would be a much-needed spark.  Not saying he hasn’t been to some extent, but the Nationals still find themselves in the basement of the NL East. Hot pitcher Stephen Strasburg who had successful Tommy John surgery, could possibly return in September, but the Nationals might be so far out that even he won’t make a difference.  They also have 18 year-old phenom Bryce Harper biding his time in the minors but absolutely tearing it up while down there.  Can’t imagine it being too long before we see young Mr. Harper in the Majors.  Third baseman Ryan Zimmerman who has been out since April 9th with a torn abdominal muscle and surgery to repair it, recently began rehabbing in Single-A Hagerstown.  There’s a slight possibility he could be back with the Nats by next week.

• Check out Aerys Sports Washington Nationals Site:  Win For Teddy