Some notes by the numbers:
17-17: That's the first-place Braves' record since May 20. You'd expect such a so-so stretch to cost a team in the standings, but no other National League East team is above .500 during that period, either. Through games of May 20, the Braves led the division by 1-1/2 games over the second-place Phillies. Now, the Braves lead the second-place Phillies by 2 ½ games. The records of the NL East teams since May 20: Braves 17-17, Nationals 16-16, Phillies 16-18, Marlins 15-20 and Mets 9-27.
1.07 million: That's how many viewers across the U.S. watched the Atlanta United-Portland match Sunday on Fox – "one of MLS' best viewing figures on English-language television in a very, very long time," according to World Soccer Talk. Even so, the audience reflected a 75-percent drop from the 4.38 million who watched the Poland-Colombia World Cup game on Fox preceding the MLS telecast Sunday, World Soccer Talk noted.
2nd: That's where Pro Football Focus ranks the Falcons among the 32 NFL teams in overall roster talent about a month from the start of training camps. The defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles' roster is ranked No. 1.
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TODAY’S LEADOFF LINKS
> The Braves plan to have Ronald Acuna back in their lineup when they open a tough trip Friday in St. Louis, David O'Brien reports.
> And here's a look at the Braves' struggling bullpen.
> LeBron James won't be signing with the Hawks, but his choice of team could affect Atlanta. See Michael Cunningham's blog here.
> A five-day series of events is set in Atlanta leading up to the MLS All-Star game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Aug. 1. Chris Vivlamore has the details here.
