Series recap - I had fun, let's do this again

Game three of the series was Atlanta’s most comprehensive effort, with Paul Maholm continuing his good work against the Nationals and the Braves’ bats coming to life.  BJ Upton continued his vindication tour with a solo HR off of Nate Karns that would prove fatal to the Nats’ hopes of making a comeback. 

Going into this series, anything less than Washington taking two out of three would have to be considered a worst-case scenario from their vantage point, but somehow, an even worse worst-case manifested itself with the news of Stephen Strasburg’s oblique strain and Bryce Harper’s trip to the 15-day DL.  They now stare down a 6.5 game deficit without the knowledge of when their two biggest stars, two of the game’s dynamic talents, will be suiting up in meaningful action again.

The Braves’ pitching staff has done tremendous work during the team’s recent 12-4 streak, pitching to a 3.03 team ERA since May 19.  The offense has played above-average as well, posting a .320 on-base percentage with 18 HRs and a team wRC+ of 103, not spectacular by any means, but at least we have the comfort of knowing that this streak cannot be chalked up to BABIP luck and the like. 

This was an important series for the Braves to win, and they have now taken seven of ten from the Nationals with nine to play.  The teams won’t meet again until August 5-7 in Washington, a series sure to carry a considerable amount of influence on the course of the Nats’ season.  At this point, it is looking increasingly likely that they will prove reliant upon a myriad of factors beyond their control if they are to win this division, much less make the playoffs.  Atlanta, on the other hand, is in control of its own destiny.

(Leverage Index courtesy of FanGraphs)