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MLB power rankings: Braves can overtake Mets in huge NL East series ahead of All-Star break

Jesse Yomtov, USA TODAY
·3 min read
7

On June 1, the Atlanta Braves trailed the New York Mets by 10 ½ games in the National League East – but have gone 29-8 since and enter a crucial series in position to take the division lead with a sweep.

The Braves host the Mets for three games starting Monday, having played only four times so far this season, back in early May. And while the Philadelphia Phillies would like to have a word, the 15 games remaining between Atlanta and New York are going to decide the NL East.

The Mets have gone 18-16 since June 1 but are still on pace to win 100 games through Sunday.

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Here's how USA TODAY Sports' eight-person panel voted this week:

Braves players celebrate a walk-off win against the Nationals on Sunday.
Braves players celebrate a walk-off win against the Nationals on Sunday.

Rank (movement from last week)

1. New York Yankees (–)

  • Six All-Stars is the most of any team in baseball.

2. Houston Astros (–)

  • Yordan Alvarez, Kyle Tucker and Framber Valdez are first-time All-Stars.

3. Los Angeles Dodgers (–)

  • Mookie Betts and Trea Turner will start the All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium.

4. New York Mets (–)

5. Atlanta Braves (–)

  • The Braves are 21-9 against left-handed starters in 2022, the best mark in baseball.

6. San Diego Padres (–)

  • Should be able to finish the first half strong with four at Rockies, three vs. D'backs.

7. Philadelphia Phillies (+8)

  • Zack Wheeler has 1.65 ERA with 46 strikeouts to five walks in his last seven starts.

8. Milwaukee Brewers (-1)

  • Josh Hader secures his fourth consecutive All-Star nod.

9. Boston Red Sox (-1)

10. Minnesota Twins (+1)

  • Luis Arraez and Byron Buxton are first-time All-Stars for Minnesota.

11. St. Louis Cardinals (-1)

  • Reliever Ryan Helsley (0.75 ERA in 36 innings) makes the All-Star team.

12. Toronto Blue Jays (-3)

  • Toronto has lost nine of its last 11 entering Monday.

13. Seattle Mariners (+6)

  • The Mariners have gone 16-3 since falling 10 games below .500 on June 19.

14. Tampa Bay Rays (-2)

  • Wander Franco lands back on the injured list.

15. Baltimore Orioles (+6)

  • Winners of eight in a row, the Orioles enter Monday just two games out of a wild-card spot.

16. Cleveland Guardians (-3)

  • Andres Gimenez, who came back in the Francisco Lindor trade, is an All-Star.

17. San Francisco Giants (-3)

  • Joc Pederson, who is starting in the NL outfield, is the Giants' only All-Star.

18. Miami Marlins (-1)

  • Sandy Alcantara has gone at least seven innings in 12 consecutive starts.

19. Chicago White Sox (-1)

  • Tough week ahead with eight games in seven days against Guardians, Twins.

20. Texas Rangers (-4)

  • Marcus Semien, who started slow, is looking like the $175 million man.

21. Arizona Diamondbacks (+1)

22. Colorado Rockies (+1)

  • C.J. Cron (20 HR, 66 RBI, .901 OPS) is an All-Star for the first time at 32.

23. Los Angeles Angels (-3)

  • Since they were 10 games over .500 on May 24, the Angels are 11-32.

24. Pittsburgh Pirates (+1)

25. Detroit Tigers (+1)

  • Riley Greene's plate discipline is evident with 13 walks in 21 games.

26. Chicago Cubs (-2)

  • Marcus Stroman tosses four scoreless innings in return from injured list.

27. Cincinnati Reds (–)

  • Right-hander Vladimir Gutierrez will undergo Tommy John surgery.

28. Kansas City Royals (–)

  • Kansas City closes out the first half with eight games in seven days.

29. Washington Nationals (–)

  • The Nationals have been outscored by 142 runs through Sunday, the worst in baseball.

30. Oakland Athletics (–)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB power rankings: Braves can overtake Mets in huge NL East series