Speaking of strange deadlines, the Braves are 15.5 games back in the division and 14 games back of a wild-card spot. It has been a miserable year in Atlanta. Yet they did nothing to improve their future, holding onto Marcell Ozuna and Raisel Iglesias despite both becoming free agents at the end of the year.

The Brewers have now won 46 of their last 65 games, a full-season pace of 115 wins. They've been playing like one of the best teams in baseball history since May 17. They are now on pace to win 98 games. That would be a franchise record, breaking the mark set in 2011 and 2018 at 96 wins.

Well, they're likely not going to finish 122-40, but after a 6-0 victory over the Seattle Mariners July 21, the Brewers have won 11 straight games and suddenly have Major League Baseball's best record. That also means they've hurdled the rival Chicago Cubs in the National League Central Division standings.