Moving On Up On The East Side

The Atlanta Braves are making a move in the NL East and now find themselves only 2 games back of the Phillies.  With a sweep of the Marlins, the Braves find themselves poised to attack the top of the standings.

The Braves were hanging back at 3.5 games out of 1st for a couple of weeks, but with the help of a sweep of the fish, they are even closer to the Phillies.  They are 6-4 for their last 10 and have won 3 games in a row.  They next get to take on the Houston Astros for the weekend, which is definitely in their favor.

The Marlins are now 5 games out of 1st after losing 8 games in a row.  The Mets are now 6.5 out while the Nationals are a full 10 games back now.  The Braves have a real hold on the 2nd spot and a big opportunity this weekend to move even closer to the Phillies.

The Phillies will take on the Cubs this weekend, so in the end, it may be all a wash with the Braves.  The Braves have Hudson, Minor, Hanson and Lowe going against the Astros.  The Phillies will have Halladay, Lee and Oswalt to go against the Cubs.  Top of the rotation for both teams could mean basically the same outcome keeping things in the NL East at the status quo.

For now though, the Braves are on a roll and inching ever closer to the top of the NL East.  Next up for the two teams, the Phillies get the Marlins and the Braves get the Mets for action inside the division.  This series could be what changes the top of the NL East as the Marlins are sure to give the Phillies much more of a test than the Mets will give the Braves…..but you never know.

The Braves cannot let up.  They must continue to push forward and keep winning.  A sweep of the Astros, 4 games, would go a long way to doing just that.