Are you ready for the I-75 World Series?
Less than 500 miles of interstate separates Atlanta from Tampa Bay, and, figuratively speaking, the Atlanta baseball club has been sneaking up on its friends from St. Petersburg for the past few weeks.
Now, the Braves have finally finished the Rays in the USA TODAY Sports power rankings.
All it took was a record-breaking June when the Braves hit 61 home runs, won 21 of 25 games, and got off to a 40-18 start over the Rays. Lately, well, not weak but more pedestrian and now ace Shane McClanahan has played on the injured list.
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That’s enough to put the Braves (56-27) ahead of the Rays (57-30). At least for now.
Check out this week’s rankings:
1. Atlanta Braves (+1)
- Eighty-seven first innings runs easily lead the majors.
2. Tampa Bay Rays (-1)
- Not known for big trade deadline deals. Does inflicting harm force their hand?
3. Texas Rangers (-)
- It turns out the Astros will indeed be a factor.
4. Baltimore Orioles (-)
- Nothing less than “Yenier Cano, All-Star” wins the World Series.
5. Arizona Diamondbacks (-)
- It works well for Zach Gallen’s All-Star start schedule, if you will.
6. Los Angeles Dodgers (-)
- Clayton Kershaw’s latest frustration shoulder.
7. Miami Marlins (-)
- Solid first half, but not ready for Braves buzzsaw.
8. San Francisco Giants (-)
- Obligatory weekly Patrick Bailey reference.
9. New York Yankees (-)
- Big series against the Orioles.
10. Houston Astros (+1)
- Jose Altuve’s OPS is up to .862.
11. Los Angeles Angels (-1)
- Aaron couldn’t catch a judge. can he
12. Cincinnati Reds (+2)
- No fluke: Andrew Abbott’s ERA is 1.21 after six starts.
13. Toronto Blue Jays (-2)
- They hold the title of craziest team, easily tied with the Padres and Mets.
14. Milwaukee Brewers (+2)
- 7-3 on a 10-game road trip.
15. Boston Red Sox (-2)
- If only they could play the Blue Jays every game in the series.
16. Philadelphia Phillies (-1)
- Nick Castellanos carried.
17. Minnesota Twins (-)
- Griffin Jacks hasn’t allowed an earned run in 17 straight games.
18. Seattle Mariners (+1)
- Homecoming Kings? In fourth place, he hosts the All-Star Game with one representative.
19. San Diego Padres (-1)
- Manny Machado’s two-year journey to stardom was snapped.
20. Cleveland Cavaliers (+1)
- Emanuel Klasse named the star just hours before he made his seventh save.
21. New York Mets (+1)
- It may be more difficult than building a $382 million club.
22. Pittsburgh Pirates (+1)
23. Chicago Cubs (-2)
- Justin Steele or Marcus Strowman for the All Star Game starter?
24. Chicago White Sox (-)
- Louis Roberts, the White Sox’s first star center fielder since Chet Lemon.
25. St. Louis Cardinals (-)
- At least for one weekend, a critical W in the Jordan Montgomery-Harrison Bader deal.
26. Detroit Tigers (-)
27. Washington Nationals (-)
- Will Paul Skeens go national in a week?
28. Colorado Rockies (-)
- The minus-142 run differential is nearly the reverse of the Braves’ plus-139.
29. Kansas City Royals (-)
- They can tell their grandkids that they once beat Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman in a streak.
30. Oakland Athletics (-)
- The record: 23-63. Run differential: Minus-237. Number of former A’s All-Stars for non-A’s teams: four.
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