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Justin Upton adds firepower to Mike Trout's Angels

A surprising deal for Justin Upton finally gives Mike Trout a power-hitting outfield sidekick as the Angels make their playoff push. Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Angels have jumped back into the American League wild-card race by going 18-10 in August, and now they've added some offensive support for Mike Trout, acquiring All-Star outfielder Justin Upton from the Detroit Tigers for minor league pitcher Grayson Long.

The Angels' offense has been much better in August, averaging 5.07 runs per game (ninth-best in the majors in August). But overall they rank just 12th in the AL in runs. The only regulars with an above-average OPS+ are Trout, Andrelton Simmons and C.J. Cron. Meanwhile, Albert Pujols, hitting .232/.278/.387 with a league-leading 21 double plays hit into, ranks 147th out of 154 qualified regulars in wOBA, but has continued to hold down the No. 3 spot in the lineup behind Trout.