Current:Home > NewsMLB power rankings: Braves and Mets to sprint for playoff lives in NL wild card race -Wealth Momentum Network
MLB power rankings: Braves and Mets to sprint for playoff lives in NL wild card race
View
Date:2025-04-17 03:50:50
And then they were even.
The Atlanta Braves and New York Mets, longtime sparring partners in the National League East, suddenly find themselves in a 19-game sprint for their playoff lives. They enter this week all square with 78-65 records and tied for the third and final NL wild-card spot - and on the upswing in USA TODAY Sports' power rankings.
Playoff contention is a birthright for the Braves, who have won six consecutive NL East titles but have all but ceded this year's crown to Philadelphia. But their very playoff lives have been threatened by a nine-game Mets winning streak that briefly vaulted New York into sole possession of the No. 3 slot. Unless either team gets hot and chases down Arizona and/or San Diego, the playoffs won't be big enough for the two of them.
They will meet one more time, Sept. 24-26 at Atlanta.
A look at our updated rankings:
Follow every MLB game: Latest MLB scores, stats, schedules and standings.
1. Los Angeles Dodgers (-)
- Jack Flaherty, season-saver: 5-1, 2.61 ERA in seven starts since trade deadline deal.
2. Philadelphia Phillies (-)
- Alec Bohm hits the IL as lineup's dings and dents continue.
3. New York Yankees (+1)
- Nestor Cortes finishes off combined gem with Clarke Schmidt, but not pleased about it.
4. Milwaukee Brewers (-1)
- Club has intriguing potential bullpen add: Top prospect Jacob Misiorowski.
5. Baltimore Orioles (-)
- Adley Rutschman in a 33-for-188 (.176) canyon since late June.
6. Cleveland Guardians (-)
- Batting .230 and been shut out four times in last 20 games.
7. San Diego Padres (+1)
- Manny Machado joins Nate Colbert atop franchise leaderboard with 163rd homer as a Padre.
8. Arizona Diamondbacks (-1)
- Ketel Marte is back after three-week absence with ankle sprain.
9. Houston Astros (+1)
- They went 49-31 with Kyle Tucker shelved with shin fracture.
10. Atlanta Braves (+1)
- Closer Raisel Iglesias hasn't given up an earned run since before the All-Star break.
11. Kansas City Royals (+1)
- They are once again within 2 ½ games of first-place Cleveland.
12. New York Mets (+1)
- Nine-game winning streak team's longest since April 2018.
13. Minnesota Twins (-4)
- Suddenly closer to the fourth-place Tigers – and missing the playoffs – than first-place Cleveland.
14. Chicago Cubs (-)
- Shota Imanaga's combined no-hitter amplifies how great he's been all year.
15. Detroit Tigers (+2)
- Youngest roster in majors now knocking on playoff door.
16. Seattle Mariners (-1)
- Upper management remains convinced that no, this - this! - will be the winter Jerry Dipoto assembles a sentient lineup.
17. Boston Red Sox (-1)
- Still insist they're in it.
18. St. Louis Cardinals
- Masyn Winn in a 4-for-40 slide.
19. San Francisco Giants (-)
- Matt Chapman's extension finally ensures a modicum of continuity.
20. Tampa Bay Rays (-)
- Gonna be touch and go to avoid their first losing season since 2017.
21. Texas Rangers (+2)
- A little too late, but a nice 10-3 stretch, nonetheless.
22. Cincinnati Reds (-)
- Hunter Greene slated to return next week after monthlong absence with elbow injury.
23. Toronto Blue Jays (-2)
- Closer Jordan Romano officially out for the year after elbow impingement.
24. Pittsburgh Pirates (-)
- Billy Cook doubles in first major league at-bat.
25. Washington Nationals (-)
- Trevor Williams set to embark on rehab assignment.
26. Oakland Athletics (-)
- Brent Rooker has 35 homers, and the 100-RBI plateau is next.
27. Los Angeles Angels (-)
- A fellow named Samuel Aldegheri picked up his first major league win.
28. Miami Marlins (-)
- Connor Norby, True Marlin: He has four home runs in his last seven games.
29. Colorado Rockies (-)
- Kyle Freeland posts third quality start in four outings, drops ERA under 5.
30. Chicago White Sox (-)
- The pace: 37-125, a record for losses on any continent.
The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
veryGood! (45963)
Related
- The FTC says 'gamified' online job scams by WhatsApp and text on the rise. What to know.
- An ER nurse says it was ‘second nature’ to rescue a man trapped in hurricane floodwaters
- Chanel West Coast Details Daughter Bowie's Terrible 2s During VMAs Date Night With Dom Fenison
- Hall of Famer Joe Schmidt, who helped Detroit Lions win 2 NFL titles, dies at 92
- Finally, good retirement news! Southwest pilots' plan is a bright spot, experts say
- Rangers prospect Kumar Rocker to make history as first MLB player of Indian descent
- Court won’t allow public money to be spent on private schools in South Carolina
- Fantasy football running back rankings for Week 2: What can Barkley do for an encore?
- Rams vs. 49ers highlights: LA wins rainy defensive struggle in key divisional game
- Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky's Kids Are Their Spitting Image in Red Carpet Appearance
Ranking
- Spooky or not? Some Choa Chu Kang residents say community garden resembles cemetery
- Francine weakens moving inland from Gulf Coast after hurricane winds cause blackouts
- 2024 MTV VMAs: Suki Waterhouse Shares Sweet Update on Parenthood With Robert Pattinson
- Cardi B Gives Birth, Welcomes Baby No. 3 With Estranged Husband Offset
- Finally, good retirement news! Southwest pilots' plan is a bright spot, experts say
- Rangers prospect Kumar Rocker to make history as first MLB player of Indian descent
- Gordon Ramsay’s Daughter Holly Ramsay Engaged to Olympic Gold Medalist Adam Peaty
- Tyreek Hill police incident: What happened during traffic stop according to body cam
Recommendation
California DMV apologizes for license plate that some say mocks Oct. 7 attack on Israel
Biden marks 30th anniversary of passage of landmark Violence Against Women Act
New York City police commissioner to resign after his phone was seized in federal investigation
USPS’ long-awaited new mail truck makes its debut to rave reviews from carriers
The 401(k) millionaires club keeps growing. We'll tell you how to join.
Coach Outlet Bags & Wallets Under $100—Starting at $26, Up to 75% Off! Shop Top Deals on Bestsellers Now
UAW’s rift with Stellantis raises fear that some US auto jobs could vanish
Fantasy football running back rankings for Week 2: What can Barkley do for an encore?