Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Braves #1, Dodgers #2; Rangers Surge, Rockies Plummet

6/9/2026

48 9

Summary

Braves Lead Rankings

The June 8, 2026 MLB power rankings placed the Atlanta Braves (45-21) No. 1 and the Los Angeles Dodgers (42-24) No. 2.
Jacob de Grom’s six shutout innings with six strikeouts on 87 pitches lifted the Texas Rangers to No. 8 (32-33).
A 5-1 week, including a Padres sweep, raised the Philadelphia Phillies to No. 8 (35-30).
The Colorado Rockies sit at 24-42, on pace for a 59-103 season, the league’s worst record.

Summary

Underdogs Win Divisions

Teams six or more games back midseason have still won divisions, as recent turnarounds show.
The 2024 Brewers were 6½ games behind on June 17 and finished five games ahead to win the NL Central.
Toronto’s 2025 Blue Jays (eight games back early, 4½ down after 65 games) and Seattle’s 2023 Mariners (seven games out July 10) each turned deficits into division titles or playoff spots.

History

Historical Context

In 1995 the Seattle Mariners, 13 games behind the California Angels in early August, rallied to finish 79-66, win a 9-1 one-game tiebreaker and claim their first AL West title. Manager Lou Piniella’s crew, highlighted by Edgar Martínez’s walk-off double, sparked a citywide push that secured a new stadium and set a template for later comeback narratives.

1 of 3

Braves Lead Rankings

The June 8, 2026 MLB power rankings placed the Atlanta Braves (45-21) No. 1 and the Los Angeles Dodgers (42-24) No. 2.
Jacob de Grom’s six shutout innings with six strikeouts on 87 pitches lifted the Texas Rangers to No. 8 (32-33).
A 5-1 week, including a Padres sweep, raised the Philadelphia Phillies to No. 8 (35-30).
The Colorado Rockies sit at 24-42, on pace for a 59-103 season, the league’s worst record.

1 / 3