Braves Briefing: Atlanta remains top dog in latest MLB Power Rankings

The Atlanta Braves have had some ups and downs since the All-Star Break but MLB.com still has the Atlanta Braves as the best team in the MLB.

MLB.com's Will Leitch wrote the following after putting Atlanta at number one in this week's power rankings.

The Braves briefly looked a little wobbly coming out of the Deadline, losing three straight to the NL Central’s Cubs and Pirates. Fortunately for them, they had an ace in the hole: A series against the flailing Mets. Their doubleheader sweep on Saturday capped a particularly gruesome 34-3 drubbing over the first three games, which feels like the score of a dull Super Bowl. The only real trick for the Braves the rest of the way is remaining motivated and healthy heading into the postseason.

NL East Standings

Team	Record	GB	Action Today
Atlanta	75-42	-	Hosts NYY
Philadelphia	65-54	11.0	Off
Miami	62-57	14.0	Hosts Houston
NYM	53-65	22.5	Hosts Pittsburgh
Washington	53-66	23.0	Off

We wrote it

Marcell Ozuna is quietly stacking up a streak. Braves Today's Lindsay Crosby handled our weekend coverage and pointed out Ozuna's double-digit streak in his takeaways.

The Big Bear, who was so bad halfway through April that fans were asking for him to be DFA'd, has been hitting in the #5 hole all weekend and producing. His bases clearing double in the 1st inning gave Atlanta an early 3-0 lead and put him at 57 RBIs on the season.
He's hit safely in eleven straight games, notching eight RBIs in that stretch, and he's now up to a .237 average on the season with a .770 OPs and 23 HRs.

Check out the full list of takeaways here.

What's next for Atlanta?

In a cruel bit of logistical timing, the Braves' next opponent is already in Atlanta, waiting on them to arrive: The New York Yankees. Aaron Judge and company landed in Atlanta late Sunday evening and begin a three game set on Monday night in Truist Park. First pitch is scheduled for 7:20 PM ET, with Max Fried taking on Clarke Schmidt. The game broadcast will be available on Bally Sports South.

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