Atlanta Braves news and notes from the East

Promotions, an anti-sweep, and a smattering of news is coming out of the NL East this weekend.

For a couple of days this week, the Atlanta Braves were one of the several teams on pace for 100 wins this season.  The Giants have knocked that down to 93, but it would be hard to complain if the team managed to get to that number.   But if you count yourself as one of those jumping off the bandwagon, then please:  be careful… don’t hurt yourself.

AAA and Ruiz

When Jose Bautista was promoted to the majors, I had an inkling that Austin Riley might get the promotion he deserved as well.  However, that does mean that 3B Rio Ruiz is most likely out of the mix for any further shot at the hot corner – barring multiple injuries, of course.

It’s unfortunate, and it shows just how tough the sport can be at times.  Rosters have fixed numbers of players.  Promotions + (Demotions/DL stints/releases) must always = 0. There are no vacuums – nature must be appeased.

Ruiz did have his shot – hitting just .197 at the major league level over 180 plate appearances scattered from the end of 2016 through 2017.

Riley’s promotion effectively means that Ruiz has officially been passed up in the pecking order, though he remains on the 40-man roster.  Riley isn’t there… yet.

BAUTISTA.

Speaking of third basemen, Jose Bautista is expected to get a couple of days in the DH role this week.  The Braves play the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday and Wednesday before popping down to Miami for a 4-game set.

Dansby Swanson will not be eligible to come off the disabled list for another full week, so that means more changes to the lineup.

SOROKA.  Though Mike Soroka was on the hook for Sunday’s loss, he still fared better than either of his rotation mates against the Giants. In fact, he was a victim of circumstance as much as anything else.

Fortunately, the Braves recognized this:

New York Mets

The team that started 11-1 is now 6-14 in all games since.  But even after dropping their sixth in a row today – all at home – they aren’t sunk yet (1.5 games back of Atlanta still).

However, the medical news isn’t that great:  Yoenis Cespedes was removed from their game due to a balky right-side Quad.  Word is that this isn’t a serious concern, but frankly, you’d have to be concerned if you’re a Mets fan simply because (a) this isn’t his first experience with Quad problems, and (b) they need his offense in the lineup (best producer with .350 average and 1.009 OPS over the past week).

Washington Nationals

Still not sure what to make of this team.  Sure: they moved Bryce Harper to the leadoff spot, and he’s had 2 game-starting homers from there this week.  But that’s not a winning plan for the long-haul.

More from Tomahawk Take

• Atlanta Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos’ views on the offseason so far
• Braves News: Dansby goes to the Cubs, prospect rankings, more
• The Paradox of Dansby Swanson
• Report: Dansby Swanson to sign seven year deal with Chicago Cubs
• Braves News: Braves add multiple new players, Max Fried extension?, more

Meanwhile, Wilmer Difo and Matt Adams have been on fire.  Combined, they have an OPS of something close to 1.480.  While it may be hard to consider their efforts sustainable, Trea Turner (.381) is breaking out of his own slump.

All of this comes without Anthony Rendon, Ryan Zimmerman being left out, Adam Eaton still hobbled, and Daniel Murphy not yet back.  Yet they are now 18-17.

Of note:  of all of their pitchers used this week (12), only Trevor Gott and Carlos Torres sport ERAs above 3.50 in the past 7 days.  In addition, only Trevor Gott has a bad track record of walks.  He and Carlos Torres combined are the only Mets with a BB-rate above one per inning, but then again, neither has been left in very long:  3,1 innings total.

Ergo their bullpen is actually helping.

Al of this is bad news for the division since there was probably a secret hope (at least I harbored this secret) that the Nats would not be able to stay with the rest of the division until their injured players returned.

But darn it… they have:  just 2 games back of Atlanta now.

Miami Marlins

So how are things going for the fans down there in South Florida?  Here’s the best evidence I’ve seen about that (from a week ago):  even charity is suffering…

Next: Exciting Minor League News!

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