MLB power rankings: Braves steal top spot from Dodgers with statement in LA
· Yahoo Sports
The Los Angeles Dodgers won't go wire-to-wire in the National League West - nor will they in USA TODAY Sports' power rankings.
The preseason No. 1 club may very well win a third consecutive championship this autumn but for now, they've been dislodged from the top spot for the first time this season by the Atlanta Braves.
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The passing of the torch came head-to-head, as Atlanta won two of three games at Dodger Stadium and improve to a major league-best 28-13. Their plus-87 run differential is also tops in the majors, and they also lead in OPS and ERA.
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The Braves' newfound position will be tested immediately, as they return home for a three-game series against the No. 3 Chicago Cubs, beginning Tuesday, May 10 at Truist Field.
A look at our updated rankings:
1. Atlanta Braves (+1)
- Spencer Strider punches out eight Dodgers in second start of year.
2. Los Angeles Dodgers (-1)
- Mookie Betts is back this week, not a moment too soon for flaccid offense.
3. Chicago Cubs (+1)
- Have the Cubs rescued Michael Conforto? Batting .364 with 1.132 OPS in 55 plate appearances.
4. Tampa Bay Rays (+2)
- Nick Martinez's 1.70 ERA is best in club history through eight games for a starter.
5. New York Yankees (-2)
- Carlos Rodón makes season debut, but can't prevent unsettling sweep at Milwaukee.
6. San Diego Padres (-1)
- A quarter through the season, Fernando Tatis Jr. at 0.0 WAR and zero home runs.
7. Milwaukee Brewers (+3)
- Sweep the Yankees for first time since they were an AL team - in 1989.
8. Pittsburgh Pirates (-)
- Oneil Cruz on a 40-homer pace.
9. Cincinnati Reds (-2)
- Elly De La Cruz's 135 adjusted OPS 16% higher than previous career best.
10. Cleveland Guardians (+1)
- A Patrick Bailey-Austin Hedges catching duo won't make anyone forget Johnny Bench.
11. Toronto Blue Jays (+1)
- Addison Barger finally returns and now he needs an elbow MRI.
12. Athletics (+3)
- Can Shea Langeliers bring a batting title back to Yolo County?
13. St. Louis Cardinals (+3)
- Jordan Walker up to 11 home runs.
14. Arizona Diamondbacks (-1)
- Eduardo Rodriguez averaging six innings per start, which he hasn't done since 2019.
15. Detroit Tigers (-6)
- Not exactly a "Win one for the Gipper" response after Tarik Skubal's injury.
16. Philadelphia Phillies (+3)
- Kyle Schwarber homers in four straight games for second time in his career.
17. Texas Rangers (-3)
- Jacob de Grom is 5-0 with a 1.22 ERA when pitching decisive game of series for Rangers.
18. Seattle Mariners (-1)
- Getting ugly: Cal Raleigh in an 0-for-32 hole, average down to .161.
19. Miami Marlins (-1)
- "We're trying to win. We're trying to win this year," GM Peter Bendix says after flurry of roster moves.
20. Baltimore Orioles (-)
- After getting outclassed in four-game sweep in Bronx, they get another shot at Yankees.
21. Kansas City Royals (+2)
- Cole Ragans heads to IL with left elbow impingement.
22. Washington Nationals (-1)
- Nasim Nuñez leads majors with 17 steals.
23. Chicago White Sox (+3)
- Davis Martin, All-Star Game starting pitcher? Stranger things have happened.
24. New York Mets (-2)
- Well, looks like Clay Holmes could fetch a nice haul at trade deadline, at least.
25. Minnesota Twins (-1)
- Series win at Cleveland their first since April 15.
26. Houston Astros (-1)
- After injury reset, Tatsuya Imai will start Tuesday.
27. Boston Red Sox (-)
- Only Texas has scored fewer runs in AL.
28. San Francisco Giants (-)
- Pragmatic or desperate? Dumping Gold Glove catcher Andrew Bailey is definitely something.
29. Los Angeles Angels (-)
- Alek Manoah experience will begin with a "bulk guy" appearance.
30. Colorado Rockies (-)
- Ethan Holliday with a three-homer week in A ball.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB power rankings: Braves overtake Dodgers for top spot