MLB Power Rankings: Braves Dive While NL West Teams Rise High

With Major League Baseball’s postseason just around the corner, the playoff battles are heating up and the excitement is building!

The unstoppable San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks have surged to the top of the National League Wild Card race and are challenging the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West. Meanwhile, the Atlanta Braves are struggling to maintain their postseason position.

More news: Dodgers Make Surprising Roster Move with Player Cut at Deadline

Brian Snitker, Braves

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In the American League, the Kansas City Royals are clinging to the final Wild Card spot, with the Seattle Mariners and Boston Red Sox close behind them.

As for the divisions, the NL East and NL Central are the only ones with teams holding leads of four games or more.

1. New York Yankees (70-49)

2. Baltimore Orioles (70-49)

3. Philadelphia Phillies (69-49)

4. Los Angeles Dodgers (69-49)

5. Cleveland Guardians (69-49)

6. Milwaukee Brewers (67-50)

7. Kansas City Royals (65-53)

8. Arizona Diamondbacks (66-53)

9. San Diego Padres (66-53)

10. Minnesota Twins (65-52)

11. Houston Astros (62-55)

12. Seattle Mariners (63-56)

13. Atlanta Braves (61-56)

14. Boston Red Sox (61-55)

15. New York Mets (61-57)

16. San Francisco Giants (61-59)

17. St. Louis Cardinals (60-58)

18. Tampa Bay Rays (59-58)

19. Chicago Cubs (59-60)

20. Cincinnati Reds (57-61)

21. Pittsburgh Pirates (56-61)

22. Texas Rangers (55-63)

23. Detroit Tigers (56-63)

24. Washington Nationals (54-65)

25. Toronto Blue Jays (54-64)

26. Los Angeles Angels (52-66)

27. Oakland Athletics (50-69)

28. Miami Marlins (44-75)

29. Colorado Rockies (44-75)

30. Chicago White Sox (28-91)

Teams on the Rise

Arizona Diamondbacks (+3)

Having gone 15-3 in their last 18 games, the Diamondbacks are making waves as one of MLB’s hottest teams. Their impressive sweep over the Guardians and a series win against the Phillies show they are serious contenders for a World Series spot.

San Francisco Giants (+3)

The NL West is proving to be as competitive as expected, and the Giants are making a strong push, winning 12 of their last 16 games. They’re now just 1.5 games shy of claiming the final Wild Card position.

Chicago Cubs (+3)

The Cubs are on a roll and have rallied back into postseason contention, now just three games from the third NL Wild Card spot after winning eight of their last ten.

Teams on a Downward Trend

Atlanta Braves (-5)

Once seen as a dominant force, the Braves are faltering, having lost seven of their last eight games. Their recent collapse against the Rockies—blowing a six-run lead—has fans worried about their playoff hopes.

Pittsburgh Pirates (-5)

The Pirates started August strong but have struggled against the tough NL West. After being swept by both the Padres and Dodgers, they head back to San Diego for another challenging series.

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