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MLB Power Rankings: Twins and Orioles charging

By Joshua Sadlock

BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 29: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles celebrates with Jonathan Schoop #6 after hitting a home run in the eighth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 29, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 29: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles celebrates with Jonathan Schoop #6 after hitting a home run in the eighth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 29, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 26: Zach Davies #27 of the Milwaukee Brewers pitches in the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on August 26, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 26: Zach Davies #27 of the Milwaukee Brewers pitches in the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on August 26, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
15

St. Louis Cardinals 66-66

Last week: 3-7
Last rank: 11

Trading Mike Leake to the Mariners will serve as the final white flag on the 2017 season for the Cardinals. The team had played itself back onto the verge of contention for a Wild Card, but a losing week torpedoes any hope of sneaking in. Suffice to say, Cardinals players were not pleased about the seemingly out-of-nowhere trade of Leake.

"Outfielder Tommy Pham said he was very surprised when he saw the news rolling across the screen on the television. “I said, ‘Is this a joke?” said Pham. “April Fool’s was months ago. It was shocking to all of us."

It’s hard not to view the Cardinals trade as anything more than a salary dump, but the ascension and solid performance of top prospect Luke Weaver made the decision easier. Re-signing Lance Lynn should be an offseason priority.

14

Miami Marlins 66-66

Last week: 6-4
Last rank: 18

A sweep at the hands of the Washington Nationals has put a damper on the Marlins slim playoff hopes, but their second half should open some eyes and build expectations for next year. The new ownership group is coming into power at the right time for the small-market franchise with one of the biggest superstars in baseball. Previous owner Jeffrey Loria may have been inclined to auction off his best pieces this winter. Now, maybe the Marlins can keep this dynamic offense together for a few more years.

The Giancarlo Stanton show rolled on, and his home run total is now up to 51. Even if the Marlins do not make the playoffs, it may be hard to leave Stanton off the MVP ballot. He leads the major leagues in homers and slugging percentage and has passed Paul Goldschmidt and Joey Votto for the NL lead in OPS.

13

Milwaukee Brewers 69-64

Last week: 6-4
Last rank: 13

The Chicago Cubs have begun to pull away in the NL Central with Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo pacing their previously stagnant lineup. The division may be out of reach this year, but the Brewers cannot lose sight of the fact that the Colorado Rockies have gradually been coming back to them in the race for the final NL Wild Card.

After struggling in the first half, Zach Davies has quietly had one of the best second halves of any pitcher in the entire league. The right-hander is 5-3 with a 2.28 ERA in nine starts and has allowed only two home runs in 59.1 innings.

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