Keuchel Deals Gem, Braves Win 8th In A Row

The Braves (80 – 52) are a season high 28 games over .500 on the year. It’s the first time they have been that many games over since finishing the 2013 season with a 96 – 66 record. They have continued to torch the Mets as this victory makes the Bravos 11 – 5 against them this season. “They’ve beat up on us a little bit,” Mets manager Mickey Callaway said, adding, “so we need to figure the Braves out, that’s for sure.”

Records Tied

To add insult to injury, Donaldson has tied Hank Aaron‘s club mark for most homers in a year against the Mets. Hammerin’ Hank did it against the expansion club in 1962. With each passing day, Donaldson gets closer and closer to his 2015 American League MVP season where he hit a total of 41 HR.

“I’ve had some success against them,” Donaldson said. “I have a lot of respect for their pitching staff. They know that they have good stuff, and they’re going to challenge you.”

Sean Newcomb worked a perfect eighth and Melancon closed for his sixth save, including a 5-for-5 performance since being traded from San Francisco to the Braves in late July. The Mets got Melancon for a run on a double by Pete Alonso, a single by J.D. Davis and an RBI forceout by Todd Frazier. Pinch-hitter Wilson Ramos singled with two outs, stretching his hitting streak to career high-tying 19 games. Panik grounded out and sealed the victory for the Braves. Newcomb extended the Braves’ bullpen streak to 25 shutout innings, the most since the team moved from Milwaukee to Atlanta in 1966. The prior mark was 24 2/3 innings in 2013. Steven Matz (8-8) took the hard-luck loss. He pitched two-hit ball for six innings, striking out six with one walk.

The Hot Streak

Atlanta has had some combinations of luck and skill to help propel them to this hot streak. They added catcher Francisco Cervelli over the weekend to help stabilize the position with the recent struggles of Tyler Flowers. His addition, along with the addition of Billy Hamilton, have kept this well oiled machine producing win after win during this streak. Cervelli had 3 hits and 3 RBIs in his debut on Saturday night to help the Braves win total. Ronald Acuña Jr. became the second player in baseball history to have at least 30 HR and 30 SB in a season prior to his 22nd birthday. The other to accomplish that feat? Mike Trout.

Playoffs Ahead

If the Braves’ pitching staff ever finds some consistency, primarily in the bullpen, this team is going to be a problem in the playoffs. It would take a collapse of monumental proportions for them to not make the playoffs at this point in the season. This has been a patchwork job from Braves manager Brian Snitker and GM Alex Anthopoulos recently. With the 5 – 8 spots in the lineup as regular starters Dansby Swanson, Austin Riley and Nick Markakis are on the IL, it is amazing that they have kept this win streak up. Snitker stated that Swanson did travel with the team to Denver where the Braves will play Monday at Colorado in a makeup of an April snowout. That is good news. The team will then start a series at Toronto.

In our “Stat of the Day” line, the Braves are 38 – 21 vs. the NL East so far this season. Their record against the rest of the NL East is as follows:

15 – 4 vs. the Marlins

11 – 5 vs. the Mets

6 – 6 vs. the Phillies

6 – 6 vs. the Nationals

Atlanta will face both Washington and Philadelphia 7 times each beginning on September 5th. This stretch against both Philly and Washington could help clinch the division and keep the Braves’ win streak alive.