ational League Central throughout most of the first half of the season.However http://www.bravesfanproshop.com/authentic-nick-markakis-jersey , they lost that lead in the final days before the All-Star break and will have to chase down the Chicago Cubs to regain it. While the Brewers appear to be a stronger team than the one that struggled in the second half of last season, they will almost certainly need to make some moves prior to the July 31 trade deadline.The Brewers were reportedly involved in the Manny Machado trade talks before the Baltimore Orioles ultimately sent him to the Los Angeles Dodgers for five prospects.They fell short in their attempt to get Machado, but they should be in a position to make several other moves. One of them could come in a deal with the Minnesota Twins for power-hitting second baseman Brian Dozier, according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports and The Athletic.Rosenthal also reported the Brewers have some interest in acquiring additional pitching help. That would seem to be the case with most of the contenders, with the possible exception of the defending World Series champion Houston Astros.Dozier had 16 home runs and 48 RBI in the first half of the season, and he has been strong in the second half in each of the last two years, hitting hit 28 home runs in 2016 and 21 last year after the All-Star break.The New York Mets sit 4th in the NL East (40-55) and are not in contention for a playoff spot, even after their 11-1 start.However, the Mets' pitching is a strength despite clear problems with their hitting, fielding and base running.While it may take a blockbuster offer before they would consider trading Noah Synedegaard or Jacob deGrom, other hurlers such ashard-throwing righthander Zack Wheeler could come at a more reasonable price.A source who had discussed the matter with the Mets' front office said it was "better than 50-50" that Wheeler would be traded by the trade deadline, according to Mike Puma of the New York Post.Wheeler has a 3-6 record and a 4.44 earned run average. However Babe Ruth Jersey , he has a 3.67 ERA since June 1 and has struck out 106 batters in 107.1 innings in total. Wheeler's ability to come up with a big strikeout when it is needed most could make him a much-coveted commodity.Steven Matz could also be a trade target, but he is likely not as highly thought of as Wheeler.Additionally, Tom Verducci reported Friday night during the MLB Network's broadcast of the Mets' game against the New York Yankees that "several teams" are involved in talks for closer Jeurys Familia.Rosenthal went a bit further, tweeting Familia "was on the verge" of being traded, with a tweet from ESPN's Buster Olney suggesting the Oakland A'sas one of the teams to be seriously interested. ATLANTA (AP) — After the Atlanta Braves leaned heavily on their youth in a breakout season, a lack of experience and depth finally caught up to them in October.The Baby Braves ran out of steam in the NL Division Series, falling to the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-2 on Monday. Manny Machado delivered the crushing blow, a three-run homer in the seventh inning against Chad Sobotka, a rookie who made Atlanta’s postseason roster despite appearing in only 14 regular-season games. Los Angeles won the series 3-1.The Braves scored a combined two runs in their three losses.“We didn’t hit,” Freddie Freeman said. “Bottom line. Too many opportunities left out there.”Sobotka was the second straight rookie reliever, after Max Fried, used by manager Brian Snitker in the game.The Braves lost their ninth consecutive playoff series since sweeping the Astros in the 2001 division series. Still http://www.bravesfanproshop.com/authentic-dale-murphy-jersey , the team has good reason for optimism after improving from 90 losses in 2017 to win their first NL East title since 2013.The Baby Braves enjoyed their postseason moment in the spotlight Sunday night, when 20-year-old rookie Ronald Acuna Jr. became the youngest player to hit a postseason grand slam and rookie Touki Toussaint earned the win in relief. The 6-5 win kept the Braves from being swept in the series.But the kids certainly had their struggles. Acuna’s slam was a highlight, but he batted just .188. Ozzie Albies hit .200 and appeared to miscommunicate with right fielder Nick Markakis on Yasiel Puig’s popup Monday. Johan Camargo was hitless in the series.“I think probably after we won the division, they probably sat around and thought about the playoffs,” said Snitker of the group of young players. “But until you actually experience it, the intensity, just the electricity that’s involved in that. And like I say, if a team makes the playoffs, they’re pretty good.”There was obvious disappointment in the Braves clubhouse.“We didn’t win the World Series. It’s a lost season in my book,” Freeman said.Added Acuna through a translator: “That’s just baseball. Not everything goes the way you want it to. We did everything we could under our control. We put in maximum effort.”Snitker said the young players will benefit from their first postseason.“I think it’s just been a great experience for all those young guys to have experienced the postseason at such a young age,” Snitker said. “I hope they remember how good it felt when we clinched the division. And as they head to their offseason and their workouts and when they get to spring training, you know Freddie Freeman Jersey , they’ll have an eye on the prize there.”The veterans weren’t much of a help, either. Markakis had one hit in 12 at-bats, and Inciarte was 3 for 14. Reliever Jonny Venters created a jam that allowed David Freese to deliver a pinch-hit, two-run single off Brad Brach in the sixth Monday. Even Freeman, an All-Star, couldn’t match his usual production, going 4 for 16 with a homer.Atlanta’s thin bench was a glaring disadvantage, especially when compared with the Dodgers’ impressive depth.Kurt Suzuki, pinch-hitting for Braves starting pitcher Mike Foltynewicz, gave Atlanta the run with a two-run single off Rich Hill in the fourth . But Snitker’s other options on a thin bench included Ryan Flaherty, who hit .217 in the regular season, Lane Adams http://www.bravesfanproshop.com/authentic-bobby-cox-jersey , Lucas Duda and backup catcher Rene Rivera.Duda just missed hitting a three-run homer off Kenta Maeda in the eighth, pulling the deep blast foul, before ending the inning with a fly ball to center.Atlanta’s depth took a hit when shortstop Dansby Swanson was left off the postseason roster with a hand injury.Charlie Culberson, normally a utility player, was forced into a starting role. Culberson was 1 for 4 on Monday and hit only .167 for the series.“It’s one of those things where everyone didn’t expect us to be here,” Culberson said. “We love to prove people wrong, but we’re pretty upset about not making it past the Division Series. … We’re looking forward. With everyone getting postseason experience this year, now we know what to expect and we have bigger goals in mind.”