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Atlanta Braves: evaluating the NL East contenders after the deadline

By Jonathan Magel

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 31: Josh Donaldson #20 of the Atlanta Braves hits the game winning home run against the Washington Nationals during the tenth inning at Nationals Park on July 31, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 31: Josh Donaldson #20 of the Atlanta Braves hits the game winning home run against the Washington Nationals during the tenth inning at Nationals Park on July 31, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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Before the trade deadline, we explored the state of the NL East; now it’s time to see how they look in their post-deadline state.

In a previous article on this topic, the Phillies were identified as the team that would have the best shot to beat the Atlanta Braves. It was close when deciding between the Nationals and Phillies, seeing as the Nationals were just heating up.

Now a little over a month later it’s the Washington Nationals that are the team doing the most to challenge the Braves. But truthfully not much has changed: the Nationals sit 7 games behind the Braves, which is a larger lead than they had on the Phillies (by a half-game) at the time of our last look.

The Phillies are actually tied with the Nationals at 7 games out and it could go either way down the stretch. The Phillies have all the reasons going for them that were mentioned previously, but the difference now is the Nationals pitching.

The Nationals have one of the best 1-2-3 starting pitcher combinations in the game (maybe would’ve said the best, but the Astros… wow).

Max Scherzer continues his Cy Young like pitching this year with a 2.41 ERA and 12.7 SO/9. This is under the assumption that his back will not continue to be a problem.

Follow that with Stephen Strasburg who has a 3.26 ERA and 10.7 SO/9 and then big free-agent acquisition Patrick Corbin with a 3.23 ERA and 10.5. SO/9.

Their big issue before was the bullpen before Sean Doolittle, but they acquired multiple relievers at the deadline. Now, these moves don’t compare to the moves that the Braves made, but it does upgrade their current pen.

Daniel Hudson is the best of the three: acquired from the Blue Jays, he’s carrying a 3.00 ERA and 9 SO/9.

Followed by Roenis Elias who has a 4.40 ERA and 8.6 SO/9, the last was Hunter Strickland who was successful in the past with the Giants, but the injury-prone player has only appeared 4 games and carries an 8.10 ERA.

So clearly nothing game-changing but some solid pieces.  With their starting rotation paired with a young lineup anchored by Anthony Rendon and Seam Doolittle closing, they have the capability to win some games.

Quite frankly none of these teams are likely to catch the Braves and the rest of the NL East is simply vying for a wild card spot.

The Braves shored up their biggest weakness with three relievers that have had experience closing – one who has been truly dominant – making them the most complete team in the division.

The other weakness for the Braves has been the starting pitchers to some degree, but the talent is there. With Mike Soroka making his claim as a true ace and Dallas Kuechel to follow as a very good pitcher with true postseason experience the question comes to what follows.

The end of the season will truly be who can find their form between Teheran, Folty, Fried, and Gausman… and ride the hot hand.

One thing to note is don’t be surprised to see the Mets make some noise and try to make a play for the Wild Card. They’re 8-2 in their last 10 and have the talent. It likely not happen, but something to keep an eye on.

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