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MLB Power Rankings: Cardinals and Angels climbing

By Joshua Sadlock

BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 19: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim celebrates with third base coach Ron Roenicke #10 as he runs the bases after hitting a solo home run in the third inning against the Baltimore Orioles during a game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 19, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 19: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim celebrates with third base coach Ron Roenicke #10 as he runs the bases after hitting a solo home run in the third inning against the Baltimore Orioles during a game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 19, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – AUGUST 16: Paul DeJong #11 of the St. Louis Cardinals turns a double play over Mitch Moreland #18 of the Boston Red Sox during the sixth inning at Fenway Park on August 16, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – AUGUST 16: Paul DeJong #11 of the St. Louis Cardinals turns a double play over Mitch Moreland #18 of the Boston Red Sox during the sixth inning at Fenway Park on August 16, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
12

Minnesota Twins 64-60

Last week: 6-4
Last rank: 17

The Twins refuse to go quietly this year. No matter how close they appear to falling out of the Wild Card discussion, Minnesota keeps finding a way to claw back into the fringes of contention. Eight remaining games against the White Sox and seven against the Tigers may be enough to give the Twins a spot in the dance come the end of the regular season.

Miguel Sano’s breakout year is the big story for the Twins, but don’t sleep on the fact that Byron Buxton appears to finally have hitting at the MLB level all figured out. The former top prospect is hitting .326/.385/.435 in the second half with four stolen bases. Thanks to his astonishing defense in center field, Buxton is nearly a three-WAR player and trending upward.

Minnesota really does not have the starting pitching to pose a real threat in the playoff race, but that’s out the window with such a weak remaining schedule. As long as they can keep their heads close to .500 in games against Cleveland and Kansas City, the Twins may snake out a playoff spot.

11

St. Louis Cardinals 63-61

Last week: 5-5
Last rank: 15

Life has a very interesting way of working itself out. Paul DeJong went to Illinois State as a preferred walk-on and set out to put himself on the path to medical school. Along the way, he turned himself into a draftable hitter who went to the Cardinals in the fourth round in 2015. Even with the early-round status, DeJong was not considered one of the top prospects in the St. Louis system.

After 2016 All-Star Aledmys Diaz went on the disabled list, DeJong was summoned, and has not looked back. He has hit 18 home runs in his first 66 MLB games and has a .905 OPS. DeJong has also been a defensive upgrade over Diaz at shortstop.

The Cardinals solid pitching staff kept them in the playoff race in the first half in spite of a scuffling offense. Now, the lineup is getting its act together, and St. Louis is within arm’s reach of the Chicago Cubs for the NL Central lead. Collectively, the Cards have hit .274/.354/.431 in the second half. That’s more than good enough to put a real scare in the Cubbies.

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