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A look at how the local teams fared this past week…

Los Angeles Dodgers

Highlights of the week: Hiroki Kuroda’s complete game shutout against the Chicago Cubs last Friday night at the Ravine. The Japanese import gave up only four hits and struck out 11 in his first career MLB complete game.  It was the first complete game shutout from a Dodgers starter in nearly three seasons. 

Lowlights of the week:  Brad Penny, who won 16 games last season, lost for the sixth straight time and has watched the offense total five runs in his last four starts. An All-Star starter just two years ago, Penny is now 5-8 with a 5.38 ERA.

The week ahead: Time for a road trip. The Blue visit the suddenly resurgent Padres for three before they head off to Detroit to face the underachieving Tigers in Interleague play.          

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Highlights of the week: They couldn’t quite finish off the sweep in Oakland Sunday afternoon, but the Halos put together an impressive 5-1 road trip. The rotation continues to shine, picking up five wins as a group. If this keeps up, the race in the A.L. West should be over by the All-Star break… if it’s not already.

Lowlights of the week: Good as Joe Saunders has been all season, he was that bad last night against the Tampa Bay Rays. The talented lefty gave up eight earned runs over 4.2 innings pitched. The Halos also lost right hander Chris Bootcheck to the DL with a strained right forearm. Those pesky injuries just won’t stay away.

The week ahead: The home stand continues with two more against the Rays before a weekend Interleague clash with the Atlanta Braves.

This week’s MLB Power Rankings (June 4-June 10) with the team’s current standings and their rise/fall since last week’s rankings:

1. Chicago Cubs (40-24) (no change): A whopping 18-5 against the NL West this season.

2. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (39-26) (+2): Nothing seems to slow this team down… well, up until they meet the Red Sox in the playoffs.

3. Boston Red Sox (40-26) (no change): Losing David Ortiz hasn’t slowed the world champs down.

4. Philadelphia Phillies (39-26) (+1): With the Mets quickly fading, the Phils are proving to be the class of the N.L. East.

5. Tampa Bay Rays (38-26) (-3): The sweep at the hands of the Red Sox shows that they aren’t quite ready to compete with the champs.

6. St. Louis Cardinals (38-27) (no change): Losing Adam Wainwright to the DL is a major blow to their rotation.

7. Chicago White Sox (37-26) (+5):After their skip’s latest tirade, Ozzie’s boys have reeled of seven consecutive wins to take control of the mediocre A.L. Central.

8. Arizona Diamondbacks (34-30) (-1): Their struggles have left the door wide open for everyone else in the division.  Not that anyone’s trying to walk though.

9. Florida Marlins (34-29) (-1): A 4-6 stretch over their past 10 games has left the young Marlins four back in the division. 

10. Oakland A’s (34-29) (-1): Mark Ellis had himself a grand ol’ time on Sunday.

11. Milwaukee Brewers (33-30) (+6): Rickie Weeks is on the DL with a sprained left knee. I don’t think his .212 batting avg. is gonna be missed.

12. Atlanta Braves (32-32) (-1): Can Chipper Jones (.420 avg) actually hit over .400 this season? Lets hope so.

13. Houston Astros (32-32) (-3): After dropping eight of ten, they’re reeling in the suprisingly competitive NL Central.   

14. New York Yankees (32-32) (+2): Johnny Damon went 6-6 on Saturday in a win over the Royals. Maybe he isn’t so washed up after all.

15. New York Mets (30-32) (-2): Four straight L’s and those “fire Willie Randolph” rumors are louder than ever.

16. Toronto Blue Jays (33-33) (-2): Vernon Wells has been a complete bust since signing that mega deal last season. When will baseball owners ever learn?

17. Los Angeles Dodgers (30-33) (-2): Despite all their struggles they only sit 3.5 games out of first in the NL Worst. 

18. Baltimore Orioles (31-31) (+4): You gotta give ‘em props. A .500 record was not something you would’ve expected from this team at this point in the season. Well, at least I didn’t.

19. Texas Rangers (32-33) (no change): Milton Bradley has put up some great numbers so far this season: .340 avg., 14 homers, 43 rbi. But most importantly of all: zero meltdowns…. for now.

20. Minnesota Twins (31-33) (-2): Outscored 40-15 in a four game sweep at the hands of the White Sox. Ouch.

21.  Cincinnatti Reds (31-34) (-1): Mr. Griffey Jr., welcome to the 600-home run club.

22. Pittsburgh Pirates (31-33) (+1): They aren’t gonna win a lot of games, but they aren’t pushovers either.

23. Cleveland Indians (29-35) (-2): Haven’t recovered from blowing that 3-1 series lead in last year’s ALCS.

24. San Francisco Giants (29-35) (+1): Bengie Molina (.332 avg.) has been the Giants most consistent player.

25. San Diego Padres (28-37) (+3): Don’t let their recent five game winning streak fool you. They aren’t going anywhere.

26. Detroit Tigers (26-37) (-2): Just what the Tigers needed, more bad news. Jeremy Bonderman will most likely miss the rest of the season with a blood clot in his pitching shoulder.

27. Washington Nationals (25-40) (-1): And the losses just keep on comin’.

28. Kansas City Royals (25-39) (-1): And to think I had this team finishing around .500 this season.

29. Colorado Rockies (24-39) (no change): All the injuries will kill any hopes of repeating last season’s magical run.

30. Seattle Mariners (23-41) (no change): They fire their hitting coach in hopes of turning this nightmarish season around.  It always starts with the hitting coach.

Discuss:

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