It’s not like this is now-or-never for the Atlanta Braves. But as the season nears the halfway point, this coming week should shed a little more light on exactly what they are.
The Braves finally showed a semblance of consistency recently, winning three straight series for just the second time all season, even sweeping their National League East rival New York Mets. Yet in following that prosperity by dropping a pair of games at the last-place Miami Marlins, the Braves remain unpredictable – and, at 35-40, firmly below .500.
They are mired at 23rd in USA TODAY Sports’ power rankings, a position hardly befitting a club bidding for its eighth consecutive playoff berth.
Well, they’ll have a chance to change a lot of that this week: They’re headed to Citi Field for four more games against the Mets, followed by three games at Philadelphia’s Citizens Bank Park, where the Phillies are suddenly winning again and soon to welcome back Bryce Harper. But Atlanta will have to make do without reigning Cy Young Award winner Chris Sale, who suffered a fractured rib cage during a win against the Mets and is out indefinitely.
A look at our updated rankings:
1. Detroit Tigers (-)
Gleyber Torres’ OPS up to .804 as third All-Star nod comes into view.
2. Los Angeles Dodgers (+3)
Five straight wins over Giants, Padres reasserts NL West alpha status.
3. Chicago Cubs (-1)
The wind’s blowing out at Wrigley – and unfortunately their pitchers gave up 33 runs to Mariners.
4. New York Mets (-1)
Mildly stunning: Francisco Alvarez shipped to minors with 27.5% K rate.
5. Philadelphia Phillies (+2)
12-3 in Cristopher Sanchez’s starts.
6. New York Yankees (-2)
Starting pitchers have major league-best 3.02 ERA since April 22.
7. Houston Astros (+1)
Jake Meyers having a career year – .310/.369/.407 – at the plate.
8. San Francisco Giants (-2)
Rafael Devers hits first Giants homer off his good buddy Brayan Bello.
9. Tampa Bay Rays (+1)
Junior Caminero on pace for a 40-ish home run season.
10. Milwaukee Brewers (+2)
Have won 18 of last 25 – and now home for six with Pirates, Rockies.
11. San Diego Padres (-2)
The season doesn’t end today but if it did, they wouldn’t make the playoffs.
12. Toronto Blue Jays (-)
Max Scherzer returns after three-month absence. Can his right thumb hold up?
13. St. Louis Cardinals (+2)
Nice week for Nolan Arenado: Hits 350th career homer and a game-tying shot in ninth.
14. Seattle Mariners (+3)
About time to break out the ‘Chasing Judge’ graphic for Cal Raleigh.
15. Cincinnati Reds (-1)
Chase Burns starts Tuesday against Yanks, 11 months after he was No. 2 overall pick.
16. Boston Red Sox (-)
Uh-oh: Elbow strain sends Hunter Dobbins to injured list.
17. Cleveland Guardians (+1)
José Ramírez drives in 900th career run; should catch Jim Thome soon for No. 2 on franchise list
18. Arizona Diamondbacks (+2)
Gabby Moreno fractures his right hand, so veteran James McCann joins the fold.
19. Texas Rangers (-)
Jacob deGrom on 12-start run with at least five innings and two or fewer runs – not bad for a 37-year-old.
20. Minnesota Twins (-9)
Streakiest team in the game? Have lost 13 of 16 to tumble deep in the AL pack.
21. Kansas City Royals (-)
Jac Caglianone hits his first two career home runs – and then the big fella robs one.
22. Los Angeles Angels (-)
Christian Moore hits first career homer in first game at Angel Stadium.
23. Atlanta Braves (+1)
With Chris Sale out, it’s gonna be Spencers For Hire to buoy the rotation.
24. Baltimore Orioles (-1)
This is just kinda who they are this year.
25. Washington Nationals (-)
That bullpen, though. Seriously.
26. Miami Marlins (-)
Sandy Alcantara might be back on the beam.
27. Athletics (+1)
Jack Perkins summoned to Yolo County for major league debut, tosses three scoreless relief innings.
28. Pittsburgh Pirates (-1)
Bryan Reynolds’ exit velocity a career-best 91.3 mph – but average is only .226.
29. Chicago White Sox (-)
If the Ishbia family can unload Kevin Durant, maybe they’ll save the White Sox someday, too.
30. Colorado Rockies (-)
Mickey Moniak has eight homers in last 18 games as club shows some life.
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