MLB power rankings: Braves showing they can hang with Dodgers in National League
Corrections/clarifications: A previous version of this story misnamed Washington pitcher Daniel Hudson.
While the Los Angeles Dodgers have rightfully been the runaway favorite to win the National League pennant for a third consecutive year, the Atlanta Braves are making a case of their own.
The Braves took two of three from the Dodgers in Atlanta over the weekend and looked impressive doing so. Atlanta's bullpen only gave up one run in 8 ⅓ innings in the wins Saturday and Sunday, with new closer Mark Melancon saving both games.
Ronald Acuña Jr., making a run at a 40-40 season, has played his way into the NL MVP conversation, long thought to be a two-man race between the Dodgers' Cody Bellinger and reigning winner Christian Yelich of the Milwaukee Brewers.
With youngsters Mike Soroka and Max Fried pitching so well and veteran Dallas Keuchel in the rotation, Atlanta has the starting pitching it didn't have last year, a season that ended in a 3-1 Division Series loss to Los Angeles.
If the Braves hang on to win the division, they'll get a favorable NLDS matchup with the NL Central champions and are primed to meet the Dodgers again in the League Championship Series.
Here's how Paste BN Sports' seven-person panel voted this week:
RANK (movement from last week)
1. Los Angeles Dodgers (+1)
- Must be nice having half the season just to sort out your postseason roster.
2. New York Yankees (+1)
- They're 48-16 against the AL East.
3. Houston Astros (-2)
- Zack Greinke is 3-0 with the Astros and now has 200 career wins.
4. Minnesota Twins (+1)
- Only team in the majors this year with six players who have at least 20 homers.
5. Cleveland Indians (-1)
- Jose Ramirez in 36 games since All-Star break: .331 average, 13 HR, 39 RBI.
6. Atlanta Braves (+1)
- Reminder: Ronald Acuña Jr. doesn't even turn 22 until December.
7. Tampa Bay Rays (-1)
- They've got seven games left against Baltimore.
8. Oakland Athletics (+1)
- Tanner Roark has only given up five earned runs in first three starts with Oakland.
9. Washington Nationals (+2)
- New guys Daniel Hudson and Hunter Strickland need to step up with Sean Doolittle on IL.
10. Chicago Cubs (-2)
- 41-19 at home, but just 25-39 away from Wrigley Field.
11. St. Louis Cardinals (+3)
- Still have nine games vs. Brewers and seven against Cubs.
12. Milwaukee Brewers (–)
- Josh Hader blew four saves in his first five outings of August.
13. Boston Red Sox (–)
- Chris Sale hits the injured list.
14. New York Mets (-4)
- Tough nine-game homestand starts Tuesday: Indians, Braves and Cubs.
15. Philadelphia Phillies (+1)
- Bryce Harper hit eight homers with 18 RBI in first 16 games of August.
16. San Francisco Giants (+2)
- Kevin Pillar slashing .304/.336/.526 in 35 games since All-Star break.
17. Arizona Diamondbacks (-2)
- Wilmer Flores on a 16-for-35 tear to start August.
18. Texas Rangers (-1)
- Finally healthy and getting regular at-bats, Willie Calhoun is thriving.
19. Cincinnati Reds (–)
- Aristides Aquino hit 11 homers in his first 17 big-league games.
20. Los Angeles Angels (–)
- Mike Trout has a 1.314 OPS on the first pitch this season.
21. San Diego Padres (–)
- Fernando Tatis Jr.'s spectacular rookie campaign ends after 84 games.
22. Colorado Rockies (–)
- Nolan Arenado's still-great OPS is at its lowest since 2014.
23. Chicago White Sox (–)
- Four consecutive quality starts for Lucas Giolito after a rough patch in July.
24. Toronto Blue Jays (+1)
- Cheers to Vlad Jr. for ending the narrative that the Home Run Derby is bad for a hitter.
25. Pittsburgh Pirates (-1)
- After 27 first-half homers, Josh Bell has four in 30 games since the break.
26. Seattle Mariners (–)
- Kyle Seager enjoying a renaissance in the second half.
27. Miami Marlins (–)
- Wei-Yin Chen (7.13 ERA in 36 games) is due $22 million in 2020.
28. Kansas City Royals (–)
- With the AL's fewest errors, at least the team's defense has been good.
29. Baltimore Orioles (–)
- Lost the last 16 games against the Yankees, who they don't have to play again in 2019.
30. Detroit Tigers (–)
- Race is on between Detroit and Baltimore for the No.1 pick.