Surprising Braves Sweep Mets, Move Into First Place in N.L. East

At the beginning of the season, the Washington Nationals were considered the odds on favorite in the National League East, but as we move through the first week of May, it turns out that this division is much more competitive. Through games of May 3rd, the Nationals were 16-16, and in fourth place, though Washington has now won five in a row and may be breaking out of its lethargic start. The Philadelphia Phillies were in third at 17-13, and the New York Mets (17-12) were in second, after cooling down from an 11-1 start to the season.

In first place, to the surprise of many, are the Atlanta Braves, at 19-11. The Braves swept a three game series on the road against the Mets to take over first place, winning 3-2 on May 1st, and then posting consecutive shutouts of 7-0 and 11-0. The Braves have won five in a row. At the plate, Nick Markakis leads the N.L. in hitting at .336, and Freddy Freeman is fifth at .332. Both are veterans who’ve been around a while, but the Braves have some young players who are providing a lot of help, too. Shortstop Ozzie Albies, 21, and in his second year, is tied for the league lead in home runs with 10. Twenty year old Ronald Acuna, Jr., the Braves top prospect, was called up from the minors recently and is 13 for 34 (.382) with two homers and five RBIs in eight games.

The Braves top pitching prospect is another 20 year old, Michael Soroka, who made his major league debut on May 1st, allowing one run on six hits in six innings against the Mets, picking up the win in that 3-2 victory.

The Braves return to Atlanta for a three game series against the San Francisco Giants over the May 4th-6th weekend.