Updated NL East Power Rankings 35 games into the 2023 season

We are getting to the point of the season where teams are beginning to separate themselves from the pack.

The Braves have separated themselves from the pack, but there are three teams with similar records trying to chase them down.

Let's take a look at our third NL East power rankings, as we are nearly a fourth of the way through the 2023 season.

5. Washington Nationals

Record: 14-20

Current/Upcoming Series: San Francisco Giants

Previous Rank: 5

Early Season Recap: The Nationals ugly start to the 2023 season has continued over these past few weeks. It's going to be a long season for Nats fans as this team is looking to rebuild after their World Series just a few years earlier.

Who has Played Well: Josiah Gray has been one of the few bright spots for the Nationals as he carries a 3.03 ERA through seven starts. Ironically the team is so bad that even though he has a low ERA, his record is 2-5.

4. Philadelphia Phillies

Record: 16-19

Current/Upcoming Series: Toronto Blue Jays

Previous Rank: 3

Early Season Recap: The Phillies have had a rough start to the season, but Bryce Harper is officially back from his surgery which should boost this ball club. I expect the Phillies to be in the race for the East after the All-Star break, even though the season has started rough.

Who has Played Well: Brandon Marsh has had a hot start to the season at the dish as he is hitting .314 through 102 at-bats. His hot start at the plate has really helped get this team through their rough start.

3. Miami Marlins

Record: 17-18

Current/Upcoming Series: Arizona Diamondbacks

Previous Rank: 4

Early Season Recap: The Marlins have stayed right around .500 all season and currently have a better record than the Phillies and the same record as the Mets. This is not a place many would have expected the fish at this point in the season. All thanks are due to Luis Arraez, who has been unbelievable to start the season.

Who has Played Well: Luis Arraez is batting .420, which gives him the best batting average in the MLB. The Marlins second baseman has 47 hits in 112 at-bats. Arraez is on pace to break records if he can keep seeing a beach ball at the dish.

2. New York Mets

Record: 17-18

Current/Upcoming Series: Cincinnati Reds

Previous Rank: 2

Early Season Recap: The Mets, like the Phillies, have not had the start to the season many would have imagined. This rough start has the Mets seven games behind the Braves in the west. The preseason injuries suffered by the Mets are proving costly.

Who has Played Well: Brandon Nimmo has a .310 average through 126 at-bats, giving him the 18th-best batting average in the MLB. The Mets outfielder has had a hot start to the 2023 season.

1. Atlanta Braves

Record: 24-11

Previous Rank: 1

Current/Upcoming Series: Boston Red Sox

Early Season Recap: The Braves have had a scorching hot start to the 2023 season, putting them seven games ahead of the second-place team in the division. The injury bug has hurt this team, so it's scary to think what this team is capable of once everyone is back healthy and settled back into baseball. The Braves look like one of the best teams in baseball nearly a fourth of the way into the season.

Who has Played Well: Ronald Acuña Jr. has been one of the best players in baseball so far, thanks to what he can do in every part of the game. He is batting .338 and has to be one of the frontrunners to win MVP to this point in the season, right there with Arraez of the Marlins.