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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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ST. PETERSBURG, FL – SEP 04: Kevin Kiermaier (39) of the Rays hustles over to second base during the MLB regular season game between the Minnesota Twins and Tampa Bay Rays on September 04, 2017, at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, FL. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ST. PETERSBURG, FL – SEP 04: Kevin Kiermaier (39) of the Rays hustles over to second base during the MLB regular season game between the Minnesota Twins and Tampa Bay Rays on September 04, 2017, at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, FL. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
18

Tampa Bay Rays 70-71

Last week: 6-4
Last rank: 17

After slumping in August, Logan Morrison has found his power to start the month of September. Morrison has opened the month with three home runs and a 1.130 OPS in his first four games. He has had to carry the load, as the Rays offensive swoon continues after the All-Star break. Tampa Bay has a .696 OPS as a team in the second half.

Kevin Kiermaier’s continued growth as a hitter is a positive sign for the Rays in a second half that has gotten away and gone off the rails. Kiermaier has only played 80 games, but will set new career-highs in home runs and RBI. His OPS is over .800 after hovering below .740 the first three years of his career.

17

Kansas City Royals 69-70

Last week: 5-5
Last rank: 19

The Royals have been counted out, pulled themselves off the mat, stumbled and gotten back up countless times this season, so we won’t label them out of the playoff race just yet despite a failure to make up any ground on the teams ahead of them last week. Kansas City has a path to the final AL playoff spot thanks to a relatively easy schedule the rest of the way.

Of the three major Royals free agents who will hit the market this winter, Eric Hosmer has made himself the most money this season. Always regarded as more of a contact hitter, Hosmer has 23 home runs and a career-high .882 OPS. He will also set a new career-high in walks and has not sacrificed any contact for strikeouts. Only 27, Hosmer is looking at a potential $200-million deal this offseason.

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