The Atlanta Braves won five of seven against the New York Mets and Houston Astros last week and enter Monday having won 11 of 13, four games behind the Mets in the National League East.
The Mets head to the Bronx to play the Yankees for two games starting Monday while the Braves face the Pirates for three in Pittsburgh, perhaps another opportunity for Atlanta to pick up some ground.
The Braves moved up two spots to No. 3 in this week’s power rankings, right behind the Mets who took over the second spot from the Astros, who dropped to No. 4.
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Here’s how USA TODAY Sports’ eight-person panel voted this week
Rank (movement from last week)
1. Los Angeles Dodgers (–)
- Dustin May strikes out nine across five scoreless in return from Tommy John surgery.
2. New York Mets (+1)
- Dropping three of four in Atlanta last week was the first NL East series the Mets lost this season.
3. Atlanta Braves (+2)
4. Houston Astros (-2)
- Houston plays 24 of its last 39 games at Minute Maid Park.
5. New York Yankees (-1)
- Frankie Montas has a 9.00 ERA (14 ER in 14 IP) through three starts for New York.
6. St. Louis Cardinals (+2)
7. Philadelphia Phillies (-1)
- Went 5-14 against the Mets, but are 29-13 against the rest of the NL East entering Monday.
8. Seattle Mariners (+2)
- With baseball’s easiest remaining schedule, Mariners has a shot to host wild-card series.
9. Toronto Blue…
