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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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BALTIMORE, MD – AUGUST 18: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles celebrates with Jonathan Schoop #6 after hitting the game winning grand slam in the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 18, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. Baltimore won the game 9-7. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – AUGUST 18: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles celebrates with Jonathan Schoop #6 after hitting the game winning grand slam in the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 18, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. Baltimore won the game 9-7. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) /
20

Pittsburgh Pirates 60-65

Last week: 3-7
Last rank: 18

The Pirates made a valiant little push to try and keep up with the pack in the NL Central, but are falling back at this point. Even without a playoff berth, 2017 is not a lost season for the Buccos. They got Andrew McCutchen’s mojo back, have gotten over 20 home runs from rookie Josh Bell and have a dominant young closer in Felipe Rivero.

Are the Pirates an automatic playoff contender for 2018 as currently constructed? Not likely. There are still holes in their bullpen and lineup. Top prospects Tyler Glasnow and Gregory Polanco (not exactly a prospect at this point) need to step up and live up to their potential. Ownership will also have to authorize some meaningful spending this offseason. The small-market Pirates held onto almost all of their big trade chips at the deadline, signalling a desire to win next year.

19

Baltimore Orioles 61-64

Last week: 4-6
Last rank: 14

The Orioles’ playoff hopes are on life support after a disappointing stretch of very winnable games against the AL West. Baltimore has won the first game of four straight series against Los Angeles, Oakland and Seattle, but ultimately lost or split each one. As has been the case all season, the blame goes on the starting pitching.

Over the past two weeks, the Orioles have lost three games in which they were winning or tied in the eighth inning, but All-Star closer Zach Britton did not pitch in a single one of the losses. Those are devastating losses that the Orioles cannot afford to take. Buck Showalter has earned a reputation as one of the best bullpen managers in the league, but his continued refusal to use his best pitcher in the most important situations could end up costing the Orioles another berth in the playoffs.

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