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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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DENVER, CO – AUGUST 19: Chad Bettis #35 of the Colorado Rockies pitches against the Milwaukee Brewers in the second inning of a game at Coors Field on August 19, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – AUGUST 19: Chad Bettis #35 of the Colorado Rockies pitches against the Milwaukee Brewers in the second inning of a game at Coors Field on August 19, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
6

Colorado Rockies 68-56

Last week: 3-7
Last rank: 6

The return of Chad Bettis from testicular cancer with seven shutout innings was more than just an inspirational moment. His return gives the Rockies an established starter to reinforce the rotation for a pennant race. Bettis has now made a second start and has a 1.93 ERA after 14 innings of work.

While the Rockies have a strong hold on one of the NL Wild Cards, there is reason to be worried about closer Greg Holland running out of gas in his first season back from Tommy John. He has now blown two saves and taken another loss while giving up nine earned runs in his past five appearances.

Colorado needs a strong bullpen to help carry their young rotation to the finish line. Rockies relievers have a 4.96 ERA in the second half after posting a respectable 4.39 mark in the first half. They are fighting a war of attrition, and just have to hang on at this point.

5

Cleveland Indians 69-54

Last week: 8-2
Last rank: 7

After a much closer race than expected, the Indians have finally pulled away and put the rest of the AL Central in the rearview mirror. The starting pitching, which struggled at times in the first half, has been dominant since the All-Star Game. The biggest turnaround has been produced by Danny Salazar.

Salazar went 3-5 with a 5.40 ERA in the first half, but is 2-1 with a 2.68 ERA in six second-half starts. Salazar’s command has improved dramatically. He walked 4.58 per nine in the first half, but has brought that number down to 2.4 while continuing to strike out over 12 per nine.

With Corey Kluber and Carlos Carrasco a combined 24-8 and Salazar rounding into form, the Indians will enter the playoffs with the best rotation in the American League. No other team in the league can boast five starters averaging more than 10 strikeouts per nine. Once again, the Indians feel like the team to beat in October.

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