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A quick recap of how the local teams fared last week…

Los Angeles Dodgers

Highlights of the week: Well, they at least looked good in the two wins they managed to pick up.  Nine runs in New York last Friday - including a 4-4 night from Russel Martin - and eight runs on Monday night against the Rockies.

Lowlights of the week: Unfortunately, there were the other six games. They scored two runs or less in five of them, wasting plenty of good pitching, an absolute gem from Chad Billingsley last Saturday in particular.

The week ahead: One more at home with the Rockies before they host the red hot Cubbies for four games.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Highlights of the week: They may not score very many runs, but the Halos just keep rackin’ up the Ws. Four straight wins as the pitching continues to be the backbone of the team. On Monday night, Ervin Santana continued to shine, picking up his eighth victory of the season.

Lowlights of the week: Vladamir Guerrero just ain’t right these days. The former MVP has missed the last two games with hyperflexion in his right knee, a loss that would be bigger if he was hitting like Vlad Guerrero should.  .249/7/29 is alarmingly low for a player of his caliber.

The week ahead: One more in Seattle tonight before a weekend series in Oakland to face the A’s.

This week’s MLB Power Rankings (May 28-June3) with the team’s current standings and their rise/fall since last week’s rankings:

1. Chicago Cubs (38-21) (+1): Not even eight run deficits can keep baseball’s hottest team down.

2. Tampa Rays (35-23) (+3): They are officially this season’s Cinderella.

3. Boston Red Sox (36-25) (-2): Fans in Beantown are hoping Big Papi’s stay on the DL is short lived.

4. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (36-24) (no change): Getting Howie Kendrick back in the lineup can only help their struggling offense.

5. Philadelphia Phillies (35-25) (+5): Chase Utley (.325 avg., 21 homers, 53 rbi) is the early front-runner for N.L. MVP honors.

6. St. Louis Cardinals (35-25) (no change): I don’t think anyone had this team contending in the N.L. Central.

7. Arizona Diamondbacks (32-27) (-4): The Big Unit is now second on the all-time strikeout list after passing Roger Clemens in last night’s game.

8. Florida Marlins (31-26) (-1): Hanley Ramirez hasn’t exactly lived up to his billing.

9. Oakland A’s (32-27) (no change): Eric Chavez returning to the lineup won’t be enough to overtake the Angels.

10. Houston Astros (31-28) (-2): Michael Bourn leads the N.L. with 24 stolen bases. Bet you didn’t know that.

11. Atlanta Braves (31-28) (no change): Can Chipper Jones (.409 avg) keep it up?

12. Chicago White Sox (31-26) (+1): Looks like things are OK after Ozzie Guillen’s latest tirade.  For now.

13. New York Mets (29-28) (+1): Pedro Martinez made a successful return last night in San Francisco.

14. Toronto Blue Jays (32-28) (+1): With Boston’s injury issues and Tampa’s inexperience, this team has the talent to make things interesting in the AL East.

15. Los Angeles Dodgers (28-30) (-3): Score eight runs one game and then get shut out the next. (And the next and the next and the next, it seems…) Frustrating times.

16. New York Yankees (28-30) (no change): Maybe Joba Chamberlain isn’t quite ready to be a starter.

17. Milwaukee Brewers (31-28) (+6): They finally seem to be turning things around… but Bill Hall doesn’t seem to care.

18. Minnesota Twins (30-28) (no change): There is no reason why Joe Mauer should have only one home run. Maybe he thinks he plays for the Dodgers. (Zing!)

19. Texas Rangers (30-30) (no change): Milton Bradley and Josh Hamilton are quite the 1-2 punch.

20. Cincinnati Reds (28-31) (+1): All hail Jay Bruce Almighty!

21. Cleveland Indians (26-32) (-1): One win from a World Series last October to the mess we see today. Must be depressing to be a sports fan in Cleveland.

22. Baltimore Orioles (28-29) (-5): Radhames Liz has got to be one of the wackiest names you’ll ever come across.

23. Pittsburgh Pirates (27-31) (-1): How bad is their pitching? They rank 2nd to last in the entire league in team ERA.

24. Detroit Tigers (24-34) (no change): Can Justin Verlander (2-8, 5.16 ERA) really be this bad?

25. San Francisco Giants (25-34) (+2): At this point Barry Zito is stealing money.

26. Washington Nationals (24-35) (-1): Ryan Zimmerman going on the DL was the last thing this team needed.

27. Kansas City Royals (23-35) (+1): Won’t be too long until that fire sale in Kansas City starts.

28. San Diego Padres (23-37) (+2): Adrian Gonzalez (.304 avg., 17 HR, 55 RBI) is quietly putting together a solid season.

29. Colorado Rockies (21-38) (-3): One of the reasons why they have hit hard times this season: 9-24 on the road.

30. Seattle Mariners (21-38) (-1): That Erik Bedard trade sure looks like a bust.

Discuss:

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