MLB power rankings: Old NL East rivals in back-and-forth playoff battle

And then they were even.
The Atlanta 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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