Pair of NL East Moves To Tighten Up the Race for First Place
Braves, Phillies make moves as Atlanta tries to take first place
As of July 22, the Atlanta Braves are 9 games back from first place in the National League East to the Philadelphia Phillies. Atlanta, who has won the division for 6 straight seasons has lost to the Phillies in the NLDS the past two years prior to their World Series Championship in 2021. Recently however, the Braves have made multiple moves as they try to take the division back yet again. Along with Atlanta’s moves, the Phillies have made a few moves in the past few weeks.
Braves Moves
After Atlanta’s starting second baseman Ozzie Albies landed on the 10-day injured list with a fractured left wrist, Atlanta called up the #5 ranked prospect in their organization, Nacho Alvarez Jr. to fill in for Albies at second. In 76 games between AA Mississippi & AAA Gwinett, Nacho hit .300 with 7 home runs, 39 RBIs & 21 steals. In addition to the call-up, the Braves also signed South Carolina native Whit Merrifield to help in left field as well as at second base. Merrifield, a veteran utility player who was released by the Braves’ division-rival Philadelphia Phillies 10 days prior, struggled in a new role as a bench option for Philly, hitting .199/.277/.572 in 53 games with 3 home runs, 11 RBI’s, & 11 stolen bases.
Phillies Moves
As mentioned before, the Phillies released veteran Whit Merrifield as a result of Weston Wilson, a utility man playing very well in AAA Lehigh Valley of the International League. Four days prior to the release, Philadelphia designated OF David Dahl for assignment to make room for Kyle Schwarber to return from the injured list. After clearing waivers, Dahl declared free agency while looking for a team to give him the opportunity to be apart of the big league roster. Now, two weeks after being DFA’d, the Phillies have signed David Dahl to a minor league contract. Dahl hit .207/.242/.639 with the Phillies on the big league roster in 2024 and will start his new contract with the Phillies’ AAA team, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.
With first place in the National East in sight for both the Philadelphia Phillies & the Atlanta Braves, each of these moves could help determine who wins the National League East this year.
Hopefully
Phillies 💯