This week, we take a tour through the Bible Belt on the heels of a near no-no, a look ahead in St. Louis with help on the way and a rookie in Chi-town is definitely living up to the hype. We'll also clear the ducks on the pond in other area codes. 

Let's start off in Hotlanta and check in on the Braves. Shelby Miller, acquired in the St. Louis Jason Heyward trade, came with in one out from a no-hitter in Miami versus the Marlins.  Even though he just fell short, Miller has proved to be quite the coup by John Hart and company. He entered the game with an era well below two, and that was his second complete game shutout in three games. He is only twenty-four. 

That win by the Braves completed a three game sweep Miami. The second one in South Beach this year by the Braves. A home stand this week versus Tampa and Milwaukee sets up nicely for the Braves. While the Nationals and Mets take on the likes of the Yankees and Cardinals, the Braves can make some ground up this week. This is a huge week Braves fans, so keep an eye on your club this holiday weekend. 

St. Louis got some great news om Sunday, as they got word that starter Jaimie Garcia will return to the hill on Thursday. He'll take over the slot in the rotation abandoned by the injured Adam Wainwright. Wainwright will miss the rest of 2015, but the Cardinals are still rolling. 

St. Louis won the final game of the three game series versus Detroit. The Tigers took the first two, but St. Louis still has a commanding four game lead over the Cubs, and Pittsburgh is way back at 7.5 games. A tough stretch this week takes the Cardinals to the Mets for four and KC for three. That weekend series versus the Royals could be a Show-Me-State World Series preview. When you add that they're facing each other on Memorial Day Weekend, this might a one raucous crowd and a great MLB rivalry atmosphere!

It took a few weeks for rookie Chicago Cub Kris Bryant to heat up, but now he is on fire. After two weeks up with no homers, Bryant has now left the yard four times over the past week, and has racked up 24 RBI and 17 runs. His pure swing is an incredible thing to watch. 

The infused youth in this lineup has sent electricity throughout the Wind City. If the season ended today, the Cubbies would have the first wildcard slot in the National League. They head out west this week to San Diego and Arizona. West coast trips are usually tough, but this Cubs team has a different look than in years past. This will be a good test against solid pitching for these young Cub rookies. Joe Maddon meets his first big challenge for this young club. 

Time to clear the bases with one more swing. Noah Syndergaard made his Mets debut this week and is the real deal with swing and miss curves and a heater in the upper 90s. Carlos Rodon looks to be here to stay for the Whitesox and his slider is downright nasty. SS Troy Tulowitzki has demanded and then retracted a trade all in a few days, again. He'll gave to get hot before anyone will take on that bloated contract. The Astros are sizzling and running away with the AL West, and they are awaiting for Monday's debut of rookie starter Lance McCullers. McCullers owns a .62 era in double-A and and .90 whip. He'll face the Oakland A's at home. If you're by your t.v. or computer, tune into MLB. He is as anticipated as they have come over the last several years. 

Last, but not least, the Miami Marlins fired their manager Mike Redmond after a 16-22 start. The last time the Marlins fired a manger this early eithe exact same record was 2003. Jeff Torborg was canned after an identical 16-22 start and the 2003 Marlins went on to win it all that very October.

Keep it locked in here each week on Mac Magee's Bible Belt Report on Vavel, and we'll see you next week with more baseball news and notes on the teams that matter.