{"numbering":"asc","slides":[{"index":1,"title":"MLB Power Rankings (8.6.18)","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/bayarea/2018/08/06/giantsas.jpg","caption":"

Alex Pavlovic ranks'em 30 to 1...

"},{"index":3,"title":"30. Royals (34-76):","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/bayarea/2018/08/06/30royals.jpg","caption":"

Danny Duffy has had a down year, but the 29-year-old lefty seems like an intriguing bounce back candidate as the Giants look to fill Johnny Cueto's rotation spot. He has three years and $46 million left on his deal.

"},{"index":5,"title":"29. Orioles (34-78): ","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/bayarea/2018/08/06/29orioles.jpg","caption":"

Andrew Susac had a .265/.405/.456 slash line in the minors, but his season is over after he fractured his wrist last week.

"},{"index":7,"title":"28. White Sox (41-70):","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/bayarea/2018/08/06/28whitesox.jpg","caption":"

These guys should serve as a splash of cold water for Giants fans who want a full rebuild. It's nice to overhaul your farm system, but sometimes it can take years to see results. They still aren't close to competing.

"},{"index":9,"title":"27. Padres (44-70): ","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/bayarea/2018/08/06/27padres.jpg","caption":"

They let Tyson Ross go on waivers to clear salary and a rotation spot for a younger pitcher. Ross would have made sense for the Giants, but they're right up against the tax line.

"},{"index":11,"title":"26. Mets (45-64): ","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/bayarea/2018/08/06/26mets.jpg","caption":"

Seven years after he was traded, Zack Wheeler is finally living up to the hype. The right-hander has a 3.89 ERA and didn't allow a run in his last two starts. Wheeler drew plenty of interest at the deadline, but the Mets opted to hold him for next season.

"},{"index":13,"title":"25. Marlins (46-67):","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/bayarea/2018/08/06/25marlins.jpg","caption":"

One of the players Dereck Rodriguez will have to overcome in the Rookie of the Year race is a Marlin. Brian Anderson has a .288/.369/.422 slash line as an everyday outfielder in Miami.

"},{"index":15,"title":"24. Tigers (47-65): ","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/bayarea/2018/08/06/24tigers.jpg","caption":"

It's a little strange that they haven't had their big sale yet. There's not a ton of talent here, but enough to draw interest from contenders and kickstart a rebuild.

"},{"index":17,"title":"23. Rangers (49-64): ","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/bayarea/2018/08/06/23rangers.jpg","caption":"

Matt Moore has had a couple of really rough relief outings lately, including one in which he gave up six runs in 1 2/3 innings against the A's. He has a 7.60 ERA overall. Moore will return to AT&T Park later this month with the Rangers.

"},{"index":19,"title":"22. Blue Jays (51-60):","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/bayarea/2018/08/06/22bluejays.jpg","caption":"

Remember when Josh Donaldson was going to cash in this offseason? He's still on the DL, and has a .234 average and five homers in just 36 games this season.

"},{"index":21,"title":"21. Twins (52-58):","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/bayarea/2018/08/06/21twins.jpg","caption":"

Adalberto Mejia, once traded for Eduardo Nunez, is back in the majors after the Lance Lynn trade. He gave up one hit over five shutout innings in his return.

"},{"index":23,"title":"20. Reds (49-63): ","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/bayarea/2018/08/06/20reds.jpg","caption":"

Luis Castillo, traded for Casey McGehee back in the day, was having a rough season but has turned it around recently. The hard-throwing right-hander has allowed five total runs in his past four starts.

"},{"index":25,"title":"19. Giants (57-56):","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/bayarea/2018/08/06/19giants.jpg","caption":"

They refuse to go away, but the road ahead is tough. It's the Astros, red-hot Pirates and Dodgers over the next week and a half. If they can get through that, they get the Reds and the Mets.

"},{"index":27,"title":"18. Rays (56-56): ","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/bayarea/2018/08/06/18rays.jpg","caption":"

Sergio Romo has made 53 appearances for them, including five short "starts," posting a 3.40 ERA and 1.17 WHIP.

"},{"index":29,"title":"17. Angels (55-58): ","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/bayarea/2018/08/06/17angels.jpg","caption":"

An injury has kept him off the mound, but Shohei Ohtani is certainly a quality big league hitter. In 192 at-bats, he has a .869 OPS and 11 homers.

"},{"index":31,"title":"16. Rockies (59-52): ","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/bayarea/2018/08/06/16rockies.jpg","caption":"

Perhaps this is the season Nolan Arenado gets his MVP award. He's batting .309 with 29 homers, 81 RBI and 74 runs for the Rockies, who sit third in the West. Oh, and you know about the defense.

"},{"index":33,"title":"15. Cardinals (58-54):","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/bayarea/2018/08/06/15cards.jpg","caption":"

They've won seven of their last 10 games, sneaking back into the race in what has been a tumultuous summer that included a managerial change and some odd roster moves.

"},{"index":35,"title":"14. Pirates (57-55): ","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/bayarea/2018/08/06/14pirates.jpg","caption":"

Kyle Crick will return to San Francisco this week as a pretty dominant reliever. Crick has a 2.09 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in 45 appearances. He still is just 25 years old.

"},{"index":37,"title":"13. Mariners (64-48): ","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/bayarea/2018/08/06/13mariners.jpg","caption":"

Denard Span is still playing everyday up the coast, and he's doing pretty well. Span has a .761 OPS, eight homers, 47 runs and 46 RBI this season for the Rays and Mariners.

"},{"index":39,"title":"12. Nationals (57-54): ","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/bayarea/2018/08/06/12nats.jpg","caption":"

It's been a disappointing season, but perhaps they're finally poised for a run. They've won 8 of 11 and now play four against the Braves, a team they're chasing.

"},{"index":41,"title":"11. Braves (60-48): ","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/bayarea/2018/08/06/11braves.jpg","caption":"

Adam Duvall is now an Atlanta Brave. He's 1-for-5 in three appearances since coming over at the deadline. Overall, he has a .683 OPS this season.

"},{"index":43,"title":"10. Phillies (63-48): ","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/bayarea/2018/08/06/10phillies.jpg","caption":"

Remember when everyone wanted Gabe Kapler fired after like two days? With a five-game winning streak, they're back atop the NL East.

"},{"index":45,"title":"9. Diamondbacks (62-51): ","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/bayarea/2018/08/06/09dbacks.jpg","caption":"

They were unable to bury the Giants over the weekend, but they have a light schedule coming up. After the Phillies, it's the Reds, Rangers, Padres and Angels. They might still be sitting atop the division at the end of August.

"},{"index":47,"title":"8. Brewers (65-50): ","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/bayarea/2018/08/06/08brewers.jpg","caption":"

Phil Bickford, now a reliever, has a 5.32 ERA in 14 appearances at High-A ball. The Will Smith trade was a heist.

"},{"index":49,"title":"7. Indians (61-49): ","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/bayarea/2018/08/06/07indians.jpg","caption":"

The Indians rebuilt their bullpen before the deadline, but Dan Otero, briefly a Giant, is still holding onto a spot. Otero has a 5.05 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in 41 appearances.

"},{"index":51,"title":"6. Dodgers (62-51): ","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/bayarea/2018/08/06/06dodgers.jpg","caption":"

Perhaps not enough was made of the Brian Dozier addition at the deadline. He has two homers and seven RBI in five games for them, and is certainly an upgrade over Logan Forsythe.

"},{"index":53,"title":"5. A's (67-46): ","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/bayarea/2018/08/06/05as.jpg","caption":"

The hottest team in baseball for over a month now, and the talk is no longer about the second Wild Card spot. They're right behind the Yankees for that first spot, and just four behind the Astros in the AL West. The Coliseum could host a playoff game.

"},{"index":55,"title":"4. Cubs (64-47): ","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/bayarea/2018/08/06/04cubs.jpg","caption":"

They have the best winning percentage in the NL even though superstar Kris Bryant has spent most of the second half on the DL.

"},{"index":57,"title":"3. Yankees (68-42): ","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/bayarea/2018/08/06/03yankees.jpg","caption":"

They traded cash considerations to the Indians on Saturday to acquire George Kontos, who was drafted by the Yankees a dozen years ago. Kontos will go to Triple-A Scranton, where he made nine starts in 2009 and two relief appearances in 2010.

"},{"index":59,"title":"2. Astros (71-42): ","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/bayarea/2018/08/06/02astros.jpg","caption":"

The reigning champs come to San Francisco with some issues. Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa are on the DL, and George Springer left Sunday's game in Los Angeles with a thumb issue.

"},{"index":61,"title":"1. Red Sox (79-34): ","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/bayarea/2018/08/06/01redsox.jpg","caption":"

Before Strickland, Moronta and Black, Heath Hembree was the hard-throwing right-hander coming up through the Giants system. Hembree has made 46 appearances for the Red Sox, posting a 3.57 ERA and 1.30 WHIP. He has 61 strikeouts in 45 1/3 innings.

"}]}

MLB Power Rankings: Giants tumble, A's climb into Top 5