THE EXAMINER POWER RANKINGS

1. Angels (71-43) Key to beating them: start minor league journeyman Chris Waters.
2. Cubs (69-46) Just imagine: Mark Cuban owning a team managed by Lou Piniella.
3. Red Sox (66-49) Reportedly interested in OF Brian Giles. About four years late.
4. Rays (68-46) Looking into Todd Frohwirth to join Chad Bradford in sidearming bullpen.
5. Phillies (62-52) Ryan Howard (32 HR, 97 RBIs) putting together great second half.
6. White Sox (63-50) Carlos Quentin (30 HR, 87 RBI) was huge offseason signing.
7. Brewers (64-51) Harvey’s Wall-Bangers replaced by Prince’s Face-smashers.
8. Twins (63-51) Return of pitcher Francisco Liriano only helps. They won’t go away.
9. Yankees (63-52) Report: Chewbacca signing imminent with Joba injured
10. Marlins (61-54) Last in MLB in payroll, attendance. Among tops in talent.
11. Diamondbacks (59-56) Better than the record indicates, but L.A. is catching up fast.
12. Cardinals (64-53) Kyle Lohse (13 wins, 3.80 ERA) looking like brilliant signing.
13. Mets (60-54) Confident Mets fans: Remember last year’s collapse?
14. Dodgers (57-57) Manny being Manny is OK if he’s hitting homers.
15. Rangers (60-56) Eddie Guardado named closer after winning hot-dog eating contest.
16. Blue Jays (59-56) Should have traded A.J. Burnett. They have little shot at wild card.
17. Tigers (56-58) Jair Jurrjens (3.12 ERA) has great young arm, funny name.
18. Athletics (53-61) Last in AL in average, runs, slugging and OPS.
19. Rockies (52-65) Livan Hernandez’s ERA, belt size converge in Coors Field.
20. Orioles (54-59) Getting rid of reliever Chad Bradford save $4.5 million.
21. Astros (55-59) Roy Oswalt is team’s best pitcher with a 4.56 ERA
22. Braves (53-62) Why exactly did they trade for Mark Teixeira in the first place?
23. Reds (52-64) Corey Patterson: .192, 7 home runs, 11 stolen bases.
24. Royals (53-62) Didn’t have anyone to trade this year? That explains their record.
25. Indians (49-64) The Matt LaPorta Era should begin shortly.
26. Pirates (52-62) Looks like they stole pitcher Jeff Karstens from the Yankees.
27. Giants (48-65) Without Tim Lincecum, they’d be the worst team in MLB.
28. Padres (44-71) Somebody wants Brian Giles. Take some pine tar and call it even.
29. Mariners (45-70) Six months later: How’s that Erik Bedard trade working out?
30. Nationals (44-71) Currently winning the race for the No. 1 pick in the ’09 draft.

KEY SERIES
Phillies at Dodgers (Monday-Thursday)