Brian Snitker says he and his Atlanta Braves "plan on winning the (National League) East." This might be the week to put that plan into action.
The Braves manager and his six-time defending division champions were eight games behind the Philadelphia Phillies when he made that bold but understandable proclamation on June 17. Two weeks later, the Braves face the same deficit.
But the getting might never be as good as now.
The Braves and Phillies will play for just the second time this year when the teams meet in Atlanta this weekend. The Phillies will be without leadoff batter Kyle Schwarber (groin) and MVP candidate Bryce Harper (hamstring), both on the injured list for what are believed to be brief stays.
The Braves, meanwhile, have shaken many of their early doldrums to win four of their last five series and claw up to No. X in USA TODAY Sports' power rankings. They'd love to reprise their epic comeback of 2022, when they looked out of it by Memorial Day, but won 101 games to chase down the Mets.
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A look at our updated rankings:
1. Philadelphia Phillies (-)
As expected, teammates duel for NL ERA lead - but it's Ranger Suarez and Cristopher Sanchez.
2. Baltimore Orioles (+2)
A 60-homer June gives them a major league-leading 139 longballs.
3. Cleveland Guardians (-)
And now Gavin Williams is back for his season debut.
4. New York Yankees (-2)
Just a blip for the pitching staff? We'll see.
5. Los Angeles Dodgers (-)
As Max Muncy's absence extends, Dodgers third basemen rank 24th with a .640 OPS.
6. Atlanta Braves (-)
1-5 in Spencer Schwellenbach's starts.
7. Milwaukee Brewers (-)
Five grand slams in their last eight games.
8. Minnesota Twins (+1)
Bomba Squad redux? A club record 19 consecutive games with a home run..
9. Seattle Mariners (-1)
Have dropped four consecutive series, just as Astros are waking up.
10. Kansas City Royals (+1)
Still for real: Take three of four from Guardians.
11. San Diego Padres (+1)
Manny Machado hearing cheers at Fenway Park? That's what's in!
12. Boston Red Sox (-2)
Kenley Jansen and Craig Kimbrel passing fifth place on the all-time saves list back and forth.
13. St. Louis Cardinals (-1)
Ryan Helsley 30 for 31 in save opportunities.
14. Houston Astros (+2)
Yainer Diaz (.282, seven homers, .728 OPS) providing the punch they envisioned out of catcher's spot.
15. New York Mets (+2)
Right-hander Tylor Megill sent to minors, likely until All-Star break.
16. Tampa Bay Rays (+3)
Taj Bradley strikes out 11 in third excellent start out of last four.
17. Arizona Diamondbacks (+1)
Zac Gallen makes triumphant return with six shutout innings.
18. San Francisco Giants (+7)
Jorge Soler's June line – .284/.361/.484 – an encouraging sign.
19. Washington Nationals (-4)
Ballyhooed slugger James Wood set to make major league debut Monday.
20. Cincinnati Reds (+2)
A disappointing split in St. Louis thanks to two shutout losses.
21. Texas Rangers (-7)
Low point: Corey Seager suffers wrist injury as team loses sixth in a row.
