The Atlanta Braves have been in first place nearly all season. The last day that wrapped up with the Braves not in first place was April 7, when they were 7-5 and a half-game out. Still, this NL East race is headed into September as one of the most interesting playoff battles in the league, as both the Braves and Phillies continue to run hot and cold, often on different schedules.
On June 7, the Braves beat the Pirates to move to 45-21 and boost their lead to a menacing 9 ½ games. They would go just 4-13 the rest of the month. The Phillies, who started the season 9-19 and fired their manager, went 18-10 in May and 18-9 in June.
Pair those hot months with the Braves' dip in the second half of June, and the Braves took just a 2 ½-game lead into July. By the All-Star break, it was only two games. The Braves came out of the break hot, while the Phillies faltered, and Atlanta's lead grew again.
The Phillies closed July losing eight of their last nine games. Meanwhile, the Braves won 10 of 15 to end the month and also wrapped an eight-game winning streak around the turn of the calendar. They were 70-45 after that eight-game winning streak.
They then won three of four through Aug. 12, and the lead grew all the way back to 9 ½ games. The division race looked over. The Braves then lost seven of their next nine games before winning Sunday night.
The Phillies haven't lost in that stretch. Their nine-game winning streak means the division lead for the Braves is now down to three games. Overall, the Phillies went 9-15 in July and are now 16-5 in August.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
