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

Los Angeles Dodgers

Highlights of the week: If I think of any I’ll let you know.

Lowlights of the Week: Five straight losses, including two consecutive shutouts in San Diego, then again in Detroit last Thursday and Friday. That in itself is disheartening, and the news Brad Penny will miss Friday’s start and possibly head to the DL with shoulder problems isn’t helpful. Then again, considering Penny is now 5-9 with a 5.88 ERA after his loss to the Tigers last Saturday, maybe it’s not so bad.

The Week Ahead: A three game series starting tonight in Cincy before coming back home to face the equally disappointing Cleveland Indians for the three.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Highlights of the Week: Perhaps baseball’s most pleasant surprise, Joe Saunders picked up his 10th win of the season Sunday against the Braves, tied for the most in the A.L. Cliff Lee and Mike Mussina have been great for the Indians and Yankees, but at this point Saunders is my choice to start in next months All-Star Game.

Lowlights of the Week: Interleague play hasn’t been too kind to the Halos. They’ve lost three of four against NL clubs, including Monday night’s loss to the Mets, and have watched their lead in the division shrink to just three games.

The Week Ahead: Two more at home against the Mets before a highly anticipated three game set in Philadelphia with the Phillies.

This week’s MLB Power Rankings (June 11-June 17) with the team’s current standings and their rise/fall since last week’s rankings:

1. Chicago Cubs (45-25) (no change): Losing Alfonso Soriano to a broken wrist hurts, but they’ve got enough depth on this team to continue their solid play.

2. Boston Red Sox (44-29) (+1): Some good news for BoSox fans: David Ortiz had the cast removed from his left wrist.

3. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (42-29) (-1): Jared Weaver and his 4.73 ERA have been a major disappoint so far this season.

4. Philadelphia Phillies (42-30) (no change): He may be batting only .224, but Ryan Howard has 19 homers and is tied for the N.L. lead in RBI’s at 62.

5. St. Louis Cardinals (42-29) (+1): Can Tony La Russa keep this scrappy bunch in contention while Albert Pujols is out with a calf injury?

6. Tampa Bay Rays (40-29) (-1): They’ve won eight straight series at home, the longest such streak in the Majors.

7. Chicago White Sox (38-31) (no change): Esteban Loaiza is right back on the DL. What a surprise.

8. Oakland Athletics (38-31) (+2): Catcher Kurt Suzuki leads the team with a .260 avg. Wow.

9. Florida Marlins (38-32) (no change): Monday night Andrew Miller looked like the pitcher that the Marlins had hoped for when they got him in the Miguel Cabrera trade.

10. Arizona Diamondbacks (37-33) (-2): The Snakes have “led” the NL West practically all season.

11. New York Yankees (37-33) (+3): Chien-Ming Wang is out until at least September with a foot injury.

12. Milwaukee Brewers (36-33) (-1): With injuries to Pujols and Soriano, it’s time for the Brew Crew to make a move up the standings.

13. Atlanta Braves (35-36) (-1): Weighed down by their, 10-25 road record, worst in the Majors.

14. Baltimore Orioles (34-34) (+4): They won’t win the division, but they’ll make life difficult for the rest of the A.L. East.

15. Texas Rangers (35-36) (+4): Baseball’s best outfield calls Arlington home.

16. Minnesota Twins (34-36) (+4): Joe Mauer is quietly making a run at another batting title.

17. Toronto Blue Jays (35-36) (-1): They’ve been a streaky bunch all season. Unfortunately, their latest streak isn’t so good.

18. Houston Astros (33-37) (-4): Five losses and counting for the reeling ‘Stros.

19. New York Mets (34-35) (-4): The Midnight Massacre is complete. Willie Randolph is out. Stay classy, Wilpons.

20. Cincinnati Reds (33-38) (-1): With Griffey’s 600 home run chase finally over, theres not much to look forward to in Cincy. Maybe the persistent Adam Dunn trade rumors?

21. Pittsburgh Pirates (34-36) (+1): Hey, the Bucs don’t suck all that much after all.

22. Los Angeles Dodgers (31-38) (-5): The guy feeling the most pressure in LA right now: Ned Colletti.

23. Detroit Tigers (32-38) (+3): Until last night’s letdown in Frisco, the Tigers had reeled off six consecutive victories.

24. Cleveland Indians (33-37) (-1): C.C. Sabathia was named A.L. Player of the week.

25. San Diego Padres (31-40) (no change): Getting Jake Peavy back is nice, but it won’t do much for them in the win column.

26. San Francisco Giants (31-40) (-2): Tim Lincecum (8-1, 2.21 ERA) has been everything as advertised.

27. Colorado Rockies (28-42) (+2): Matt Holliday (eight home runs), destroyer of fantasy teams.

28. Washington Nationals (29-42) (-1): Cristian Guzman and his .311 avg. have been a pleasant surprise.

29. Kansas City Royals (28-42) (-1): Jose Guillen ranks 3rd in the A.L. with 53 RBI’s. Too bad he can’t stay with one team for more than a couple of seasons.

30. Seattle Mariners (24-45) (no change): G.M. Bill Bavasi is the first casualty for this disappointing ball club.

Discuss:

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