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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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NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 30: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees walks off the field after striking out to end the first game of a doubleheader against the Cleveland Indians at Yankee Stadium on August 30, 2017 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 30: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees walks off the field after striking out to end the first game of a doubleheader against the Cleveland Indians at Yankee Stadium on August 30, 2017 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
9

New York Yankees 70-62

Last week: 4-6
Last rank: 8

The Yankees’ playoff spot seemed nearly assured at this time last week, but after being swept by the Cleveland Indians at home, their lead in the AL Wild Card is down to a single game as the red-hot Twins continue to creep up. Even the Angels and Orioles are within three games of the top spot.

As Aaron Judge goes, so go the Yankees. The rookie phenom is obviously dealing with his own struggles at the plate, but his slump is starting to affect the rest of the team. The Yankees have seen their team OPS fall over 60 points in the second half.

8

Colorado Rockies 72-61

Last week: 4-6
Last rank: 6

The Rockies are slip-sliding away in their pursuit of a playoff spot, and their lead over the Brewers is down to three games. It seemed a foregone conclusion for months that the Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks would make the Wild Card Game. All that was left to do was determine who would host.

Colorado has a difficult schedule in September with seven games left against both the Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers. If they do not win at least six of those games, the Milwaukee Brewers may be able to strike and edge past the Rockies for the NL’s final playoff spot. It would be a shame to waste Charlie Blackmon’s historic season out of the leadoff spot. He has an outside shot at becoming the first leadoff man in MLB history to hit 40 home runs.

7

Chicago Cubs 72-60

Last week: 7-3
Last rank: 9

As the Cubs hung 17 runs on the poor Pirates on Wednesday night, it was a nice reminder to the rest of the National League that they are the defending World Series champions. Kyle Schwarber homered twice and now has 24 on the year. While his average is still below .200, Schwarber has a more respectable .238/.333/.540 line in the second half.

Kris Bryant is actually having a better year than his MVP year in 2016 in some regards and has pushed his OPS over .940. Anthony Rizzo is there too after a laborious start to the year. Rizzo is hitting .327/.424/.605 with 11 home runs and 40 RBI in the second half. Water always finds its level.

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