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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 20: Aroldis Chapman #54 of the New York Yankees looks on in the seventh inning of a game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on August 20, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – AUGUST 20: Aroldis Chapman #54 of the New York Yankees looks on in the seventh inning of a game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on August 20, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /
8

New York Yankees 66-57

Last week: 6-4
Last rank: 9

Aaron Judge has broken one of the most unwanted records in MLB history with a strikeout in his 33rd game in a row and is chugging right along with more whiffs. The right fielder’s struggles the entire second half have not done much to slow down the Yankees, who still hold a 3.5-game lead for a Wild Card. Judge has only 18 hits in the second half, but six of them are home runs.

With Judge struggling, Gary Sanchez has helped pick up the slack. The All-Star catcher is hitting .341/.415/.750 in August with five home runs. New York is 18-14 in the second half despite a slumping MVP candidate. The AL East title is beginning to slip away, but their playoff chances are still in fine shape.

The Yankees do need to be seriously concerned about the health and effectiveness of closer Aroldis Chapman. The left-hander has always been essentially a one-trick pony, and when he does not locate his fastball, hitters will drive it a long way. Moving David Robertson back to the ninth inning for two weeks might help Chapman clear his head and gear up for October.

7

Arizona Diamondbacks 68-57

Last week: 4-6
Last rank: 5

The Diamondbacks are skidding after being swept by the Twins over the weekend. The sweep — at the hands of a fringe playoff contender — is not a good sign for Arizona. The D’backs have allowed the Brewers to climb back into the playoff race. What seemed like a safe bet now feels uncertain.

The sweep by the Twins ended with a disastrous spot start by long reliever T.J. McFarland who gave up five hits and seven earned runs in 0.1 innings on Sunday. Robbie Ray is expected to return to the rotation at some point this week. His recovery from concussion symptoms after being struck in the head by a line drive went well. After the scary injury, the Diamondbacks need Ray to come back and pitch like an All-Star.

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