1. Angels (75-44) Best team in baseball.
2. Rays (73-47) Injuries to Evan Longoria, Carl Crawford equal huge test.
3. Red Sox (71-51) Is Dustin Pedroia the best infielder in the American League?
4. Cubs (74-47) Those Brewers just won’t go away.
5. Brewers (70-52) Those Cubs just won’t fall apart.
6. Mets (65-56) Starting to play up to their Big Apple-sized payroll.
7. Phillies (64-56) Are they trying to give the Mets the NL East Division title.
8. White Sox (68-52) It’s never good to lose your ace this late in the season.
9. Yankees (64-57) Trying to play up to their Big Apple-sized payroll.
10. Twins (67-53) Joe Mauer’s stiff neck is simply karma for pain he inflicts on pitchers
11. Marlins (63-59) Hurricane season is upon us. Marlins are just spinning in circles.
12. Diamondbacks (62-59) Brandon Webb, R. Johnson, Dan Haren. Yes, they could win it all.
13. Dodgers (61-59) Manny Ramirez’s play is key to NL West. Should be a good show.
14. Cardinals (68-56) Would be tied for lead or leading in three other divisions
15. Rangers (61-61) Should petition to move to NL. Would be half-game out in NL West.
16. Blue Jays (62-60) Cito Gaston is has the magic touch.
17. Tigers (59-62) Simply slow: AL-worst 46 stolen bases
18. Athletics (55-65) You think it was a good idea they traded their best pitcher?
19. Astros (62-59) Won eight straight at one point last week. Need to win about 38 more.
20. Rockies (54-69) Coors Effect: MLB-worst 20 wins on the road.
21. Orioles (58-62) Suddenly, .500 mark looks as far away as 1997 ALCS.
22. Reds (54-68) Talented, but still way too young to be taken seriously.
23. Pirates (55-66) Beautiful ballpark, but behind even Orioles in rebuilding.
24. Royals (54-67) Looks like they’re remodeling the ballpark. How about the roster?
25. Braves (55-65) I hear Leo Mazzone is available.
26. Indians (54-66) Didn’t they once have Manny Ramirez and C.C. Sabathia?
27. Giants (50-70) Trying to challenge Padres for last in the division.
28. Padres (47-74) Seem unwilling to ease grasp on last place.
29. Mariners (46-74) Biggest chokers in baseball.
30. Nationals (44-78) They still have uniforms and everything.
KEY SERIES
Angels at Rays (Tuesday-Wednesday)
The American League’s best from the East and West meet in a three-game series. Both teams lead their respective divisions, so this could be a potential playoff preview more than a regular season series. The Angels start Jon Garland, Ervin Santana, and Jered Weaver. Tampa Bay counters with Andy Sonnanstine, James Shields, and Matt Garza.
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