1. Dodgers (1): This marks seven straight weeks at the top for Los Angeles, and three in a row with the same top three in the rankings. The Dodgers have struggled to score runs over the last month but kept winning. That’s a sign that their real strength is pitching, not Manny Ramirez and the lineup around him.
2. Red Sox (2): Mike Lowell’s hip has GM Theo Epstein quietly asking around about corner infielders. It’s getting to be decision time with Daisuke Matsuzaka and the rotation. They could deal Brad Penny to clear room in the rotation, but Penny has been a very useful addition.
3. Rays (3): Joe Maddon wins the way his mentor, Mike Scioscia, has in Anaheim. The deep pitching staff is a key, along with team speed and a deep lineup.
4. Aroldis Chapman’s market value (NR): One scout with 40-plus years experience says he’s never seen a pitching prospect with more potential than the Cuban left-hander, whose fastball hits triple digits. Chapman is out of sight after bolting from the Cuban team at a tournament in the Netherlands, and is expected to pursue signing with a major-league team in time for the 2010 season.
5. Yankees (5): After getting two days off in Florida, Alex Rodriguez is on a roll. He’s not only crushing the ball but is moving better in the field, answering scouts who had said he looked like a candidate to move to first base.
6. Angels (7): Their bullpen continues to have the highest ERA in the AL but has been less of an issue in recent weeks. Darren Oliver, Justin Speier and Jason Bulger are doing a good job getting leads to Brian Fuentes, who is pitching like an All-Star.
7. Tigers (4): Third baseman Brandon Inge (18 HRs, 52 RBIs) has been a key. He’s being watched closely of late because of patellar tendinitis in his left knee.
8. Rockies (12): Who knew the NL West would be one of baseball’s most interesting divisions? Both Colorado and San Francisco look like legitimate wild-card contenders, if not threats to run down the Dodgers.
9. Rangers (8): Ownership issues could prevent Nolan Ryan and Jon Daniels from trading for impact pitching.
10. Blue Jays (6): It’s hard to remember the 27-14 start. Cito Gaston will do well to keep Toronto over .500.
11. White Sox (18): Jose Contreras’ trip to Triple A might eventually be looked at as the turning point of the season. He didn’t have to go but wanted to get straightened out, and has compiled a 2.17 ERA in five starts since returning. The rest of the rotation seems to be feeding off the veteran’s positive energy.
12. Cardinals (9): Is Albert Pujols having a Triple Crown year? He’s on pace for 61 homers and 160 RBIs while hitting .336.
13. Marlins (19): Hanley Ramirez, RBI machine, plus an NL-best .346 average.
14. Twins (14): Kevin Slowey’s DL stint is a concern. He was an All-Star candidate before a wrist injury became an issue.
15. The White Sox’s chance to sign Chapman (NR): Given their recent history with Cuban players and their payroll flexibility — they have only about $45 million committed for 2010 salaries — you can’t overlook them. But the eventual bidding for Chapman could include the Yankees and many other big-revenue clubs, who might blow past the Sox’s best offer.
16. Giants (15): Ryan Sadowski has improved an already strong rotation since taking Jonathan Sanchez’s spot.
17. Cubs (16): Five walk-off wins at Wrigley Field since June 14. Consistent run production remains a nagging issue, however. They’ve been shut down by Jeff Suppan, Ross Ohlendorf and John Danks in the last week.
18. Phillies (10): They had a four-game lead in the NL East before winning only three of 16 in a recent stretch. Now Washington is the only team out of the race.
19. Brewers (13): There’s no CC Sabathia trade in sight.
20. Reds (20): Cincinnati is baseball’s stealth contender. General manager Walt Jocketty will be a buyer if Dusty Baker keeps his team close for another few weeks.
21. Mets (17): Carlos Beltran won’t need knee surgery, and could be back soon after the All-Star break. He’s badly missed with Carlos Delgado already out.
22. Mariners (21): When Ken Griffey Jr. and Alex Rodriguez homered Wednesday, it marked the seventh time two members of the 500-homer club went deep in the same game. That had never happened before 1970 (Willie Mays, Ernie Banks) and it has happened three times this year.
23. Braves (23): Fans are closely watching John Smoltz’s work in Boston.
24. Astros (25): Houston’s 16-11 record in June was the best in the NL Central. The top four were a combined 46-61 for the month.
25. Pirates (22): Anyone want Ian Snell?
26. Orioles (26): Tuesday’s comeback against Boston was the biggest in club history. The Red Sox had led 10-1, but the Orioles came back to win 11-10.
27. Athletics (28): There’s no deserving All-Star on the roster. The guess here is either pitcher Dallas Braden or catcher Kurt Suzuki will get the courtesy call.
28. Indians (24): The key to the Mark DeRosa trade is reportedly the player to be named later, not reliever Chris Perez.
29. Diamondbacks (29): If you like big piles of numbers, you like Mark Reynolds.
30. Royals (27): Gil Meche has thrown 120-plus pitches in two of his last four starts. He’s made three 120-plus pitch starts this season.
31. Padres (31): Blocked at first base by Adrian Gonzalez, prospect Kyle Blanks is getting some time in left field. If he can play out there, he will help the lineup.
32. Nationals (32): Trade of Lastings Milledge, and demotion of Elijah Dukes ends the high-risk, high-reward outfield experiment.
