Ethermac Exchange-MLB power rankings: Braves and Mets to sprint for playoff lives in NL wild card race

And then they were even.

The Ethermac ExchangeAtlanta Braves and New York Mets, longtime sparring partners in the National League East, suddenly find themselves in a 19-game sprint for their playoff lives. They enter this week all square with 78-65 records and tied for the third and final NL wild-card spot - and on the upswing in USA TODAY Sports' power rankings.

Playoff contention is a birthright for the Braves, who have won six consecutive NL East titles but have all but ceded this year's crown to Philadelphia. But their very playoff lives have been threatened by a nine-game Mets winning streak that briefly vaulted New York into sole possession of the No. 3 slot. Unless either team gets hot and chases down Arizona and/or San Diego, the playoffs won't be big enough for the two of them.

They will meet one more time, Sept. 24-26 at Atlanta.

A look at our updated rankings:

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1. Los Angeles Dodgers (-)

• Jack Flaherty, season-saver: 5-1, 2.61 ERA in seven starts since trade deadline deal.

2. Philadelphia Phillies (-)

• Alec Bohm hits the IL as lineup's dings and dents continue.

3. New York Yankees (+1)

• Nestor Cortes finishes off combined gem with Clarke Schmidt, but not pleased about it.

4. Milwaukee Brewers (-1)

• Club has intriguing potential bullpen add: Top prospect Jacob Misiorowski.

5. Baltimore Orioles (-)

• Adley Rutschman in a 33-for-188 (.176) canyon since late June.

6. Cleveland Guardians (-)

• Batting .230 and been shut out four times in last 20 games.

7. San Diego Padres (+1)

• Manny Machado joins Nate Colbert atop franchise leaderboard with 163rd homer as a Padre.

8. Arizona Diamondbacks (-1)

• Ketel Marte is back after three-week absence with ankle sprain.

9. Houston Astros (+1)

• They went 49-31 with Kyle Tucker shelved with shin fracture.

10. Atlanta Braves (+1)

• Closer Raisel Iglesias hasn't given up an earned run since before the All-Star break.

11. Kansas City Royals (+1)

• They are once again within 2 ½ games of first-place Cleveland.

12. New York Mets (+1)

• Nine-game winning streak team's longest since April 2018.

13. Minnesota Twins (-4)

• Suddenly closer to the fourth-place Tigers – and missing the playoffs – than first-place Cleveland.

14. Chicago Cubs (-)

• Shota Imanaga's combined no-hitter amplifies how great he's been all year.

15. Detroit Tigers (+2)

• Youngest roster in majors now knocking on playoff door.

16. Seattle Mariners (-1)

• Upper management remains convinced that no, this - this! - will be the winter Jerry Dipoto assembles a sentient lineup.

17. Boston Red Sox (-1)

• Still insist they're in it.

18. St. Louis Cardinals

• Masyn Winn in a 4-for-40 slide.

19. San Francisco Giants (-)

• Matt Chapman's extension finally ensures a modicum of continuity.

20. Tampa Bay Rays (-)

• Gonna be touch and go to avoid their first losing season since 2017.

21. Texas Rangers (+2)

• A little too late, but a nice 10-3 stretch, nonetheless.

22. Cincinnati Reds (-)

• Hunter Greene slated to return next week after monthlong absence with elbow injury.

23. Toronto Blue Jays (-2)

• Closer Jordan Romano officially out for the year after elbow impingement.

24. Pittsburgh Pirates (-)

• Billy Cook doubles in first major league at-bat.

25. Washington Nationals (-)

• Trevor Williams set to embark on rehab assignment.

26. Oakland Athletics (-)

• Brent Rooker has 35 homers, and the 100-RBI plateau is next.

27. Los Angeles Angels (-)

• A fellow named Samuel Aldegheri picked up his first major league win.

28. Miami Marlins (-)

• Connor Norby, True Marlin: He has four home runs in his last seven games.

29. Colorado Rockies (-)

• Kyle Freeland posts third quality start in four outings, drops ERA under 5.

30. Chicago White Sox (-)

• The pace: 37-125, a record for losses on any continent.

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