Fansided

MLB Power Rankings: Dodgers skidding, but still number one

By Joshua Sadlock

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 07: Starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers holds his head in this hand shortly after leaving the game in the fourth inning during the MLB game against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium on September 7, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 07: Starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers holds his head in this hand shortly after leaving the game in the fourth inning during the MLB game against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium on September 7, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 1: Mike Trout #27 and Justin Upton #9 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim celebrate after scoring runs against the Texas Rangers during the fifth inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington on September 1, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 1: Mike Trout #27 and Justin Upton #9 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim celebrate after scoring runs against the Texas Rangers during the fifth inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington on September 1, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) /
10

Los Angeles Angels 72-68

Last week: 6-4
Last rank: 12

The Angels are going for it this year, and the moves on the final trading day of the year have them positioned to make the playoffs for the first time since 2014. Justin Upton and Brandon Phillips have made an immediate impact. Combine the acquisitions with Mike Trout hitting .400/.583/.720 over his past seven games with 10 walks and one strikeout, and the Angels have a recipe for success.

MLB’s scheduling gods have done the Angels no favors in September. Their next 15 games are against Seattle, Texas, Houston and Cleveland, with six of them against the Astros. The Halos only have a four-game series with the Chicago White Sox left that could qualify as an “easy” series. It’s going to be an interesting finish for the surprise contenders from Anaheim.

9

Colorado Rockies 75-65

Last week: 4-6
Last rank: 8

After being swept at home over Labor Day weekend by the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Rockies must play with a sense of desperation the rest of the way. They rebounded nicely to win a series over the Giants. The Rockies now have 11 games left against the Diamondbacks and Dodgers and nine games against the Giants and Padres. If they can manage to go 5-6 against the winning teams and 6-3 against he losing teams from their division, that should be enough to keep them in the playoffs.

Starting pitching has been a problem for the Rockies as their Wild Card lead shrinks, but the offense has also slumped. Nolan Arenado is hitting only .220/.304/.341 since the last week of August. The Rockies need their All-Star to get hot in a hurry and help carry them back to the postseason.

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