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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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CHICAGO, IL – AUGUST 17: Joey Votto #19 of the Cincinnati Reds rounds the bases after hitting a home run in the second inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on August 17, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – AUGUST 17: Joey Votto #19 of the Cincinnati Reds rounds the bases after hitting a home run in the second inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on August 17, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
28

San Francisco Giants 51-76

Last week: 5-5
Last rank: 28

The fact that the Los Angeles Dodgers are on pace to win the most games in single-season MLB history only adds insult to injury as the Giants labor through the worst season in franchise history in over 20 years. San Francisco has not lost more than 95 games since 1985, and they will easily get there this year if the current second-half trend continues.

Locking up Brandon Crawford and Brandon Belt to long-term contracts seemed like a smart move at the time. Both are solid defenders with enough offensive pop to justify being paid over $70 million. Crawford and Belt’s offensive production has cratered this year and the Giants are on the hook for both through 2021. Hopefully they can turn it around next year, because if not, San Francisco is stuck with a lead anchor at two key positions.

On the bright side, Madison Bumgarner has been outstanding since recovering from his dirt bike injuries. He has a 2.98 ERA in seven starts since coming off the disabled list. Even with all the questions about the makeup of the Giants lineup, there is some reason to be hopeful for next year with Mad Bum leading the rotation. Jeff Samardzija has not been as bad as his 4.74 ERA would indicate.

27

Cincinnati Reds 53-72

Last week: 5-5
Last rank: 26

Joey Votto is going to force everyone voter at the BBWAA to think about the meaning of “value” when it comes to Most Valuable Player. Over the past few years, the award has come to be more of an award for the best player on a playoff team instead of an award that any good player can win. It takes a truly historic season for a player from a bad team to win the MVP.

Votto has been historically good this season, and should be in the running for the NL MVP. He leads MLB in OPS and walks and the NL in OPS. His streak of reaching base multiple times finally ended last week, but Votto is batting .402/.570/.683 with 29 walks and only 13 strikeouts in his past 25 games. The award will most likely end up going to Nolan Arenado or Paul Goldschmidt, but Votto deserves to be in the conversation.

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