MLB Power Rankings: Braves and Mets Battling for Playoff Spots in NL Wild Card
And now, they’re neck-and-neck.
The Atlanta Braves and New York Mets, historic rivals in the National League East, are locked in a crucial 19-game race for playoff survival. Both teams kick off the week with identical records of 78-65, vying for the third and last NL wild-card spot – and both are rising in YSL News Sports’ power rankings.
The Braves typically see playoffs as a given, having captured six straight NL East titles, but they’ve handed this year’s title to Philadelphia. However, their spot in the playoffs is at risk due to a nine-game winning streak by the Mets, which briefly put them in sole possession of the third wild-card position. Unless either team goes on a hot streak to overtake Arizona or San Diego, only one will qualify for the postseason.
The two teams will face off once more, from September 24-26 in Atlanta.
Here’s a glance at our revised rankings:
1. Los Angeles Dodgers (-)
- Jack Flaherty has been a game changer: 5-1 with a 2.61 ERA since being acquired at the trade deadline.
2. Philadelphia Phillies (-)
- Alec Bohm has hit the injured list as the lineup faces more challenges.
3. New York Yankees (+1)
- Nestor Cortes collaborated with Clarke Schmidt to complete a combined gem, though he wasn’t entirely satisfied with it.
4. Milwaukee Brewers (-1)
- The team has an exciting new bullpen option: top prospect Jacob Misiorowski.
5. Baltimore Orioles (-)
- Adley Rutschman has struggled, batting only .176 in his last 188 at-bats since late June.
6. Cleveland Guardians (-)
- The team is hitting just .230 and has been shut out four times in the last 20 games.
7. San Diego Padres (+1)
- Manny Machado has tied Nate Colbert for the most home runs in franchise history with 163.
8. Arizona Diamondbacks (-1)
- Ketel Marte has returned after a three-week layoff due to an ankle sprain.
9. Houston Astros (+1)
- They finished 49-31 even with Kyle Tucker sidelined by a shin fracture.
10. Atlanta Braves (+1)
- Closer Raisel Iglesias hasn’t allowed an earned run since before the All-Star break.
11. Kansas City Royals (+1)
- They have closed the gap to 2 ½ games behind first-place Cleveland.
12. New York Mets (+1)
- They’re riding a nine-game winning streak, their best run since April 2018.
13. Minnesota Twins (-4)
- They are now closer to fourth-place Tigers than first-place Cleveland in the standings.
14. Chicago Cubs (-)
- Shota Imanaga’s combined no-hitter showcases his impressive season.
15. Detroit Tigers (+2)
- With the youngest roster in the majors, they are making a push for the playoffs.
16. Seattle Mariners (-1)
- Management remains optimistic that this winter will bring a more competitive lineup.
17. Boston Red Sox (-1)
- They still believe they have a shot at the playoffs.
18. St. Louis Cardinals
- Masyn Winn is struggling, hitting just 4-for-40 recently.
19. San Francisco Giants (-)
- Matt Chapman’s contract extension brings stability to the team.
20. Tampa Bay Rays (-)
- They face a challenge to avoid their first losing season since 2017.
21. Texas Rangers (+2)
- Though it may be too late, they enjoyed a solid 10-3 run.
22. Cincinnati Reds (-)
- Hunter Greene is set to return next week after a month out with an elbow injury.
23. Toronto Blue Jays (-2)
- Closer Jordan Romano has been ruled out for the rest of the season due to an elbow issue.
24. Pittsburgh Pirates (-)
- Billy Cook made an impressive debut with a double in his first major league at-bat.
25. Washington Nationals (-)
- Trevor Williams is about to start a rehab assignment.
26. Oakland Athletics (-)
- Brent Rooker has hit 35 home runs and is closing in on 100 RBIs.
27. Los Angeles Angels (-)
- Samuel Aldegheri achieved his first win in the major leagues.
28. Miami Marlins (-)
- Connor Norby, a true Marlin, has launched four home runs in the last week.
29. Colorado Rockies (-)
- Kyle Freeland has recorded a quality start in three of his last four games, lowering his ERA below 5.
30. Chicago White Sox (-)
- With a record of 37-125, they are on track for the most losses ever recorded on any continent.