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

Los Angeles Dodgers

Highlights of the Week: If they played the Reds every game, the Dodgers could run the table. LA continued its dominance over Cincy with a sweep earlier in the week with the hurlers leading the way.  Six runs over the entire series.  Good stuff.  At the plate, James Loney continues to swing a hot bat, upping his average to .310 after going 11-23 (.478) with seven RBIs.

Lowlights of the Week:  Two frustrating extra-inning losses to the Indians on Friday and Saturday. The former came when the bullpen wasted a ninth inning rally, the latter when the offense - surprise, surprise -came up empty time after time.

The Week Ahead: The Interleague home stand continues, and it won’t be easy.  Six games against first place teams, starting with three against the White Sox and finishing with the ever-so-exciting Freeway Series over the weekend against the Halos.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Highlights of the Week: The Halos sure enjoyed their time in Philly this weekend, logging the series sweep after allowing only five runs in three games against a potent Phillies offense. Ervin Santana (left) is starting to look like a A.L. Cy Young candidate after going seven innings and striking out nine Friday night. Vladamir Guerrero’s torrid hitting June stretch continued and K-Rod recorded his 31st save last night - tops in the Majors.

Lowlights of the Week: Hard to find anything wrong with this team right now. Especially with manager Mike Scioscia pushing all the right buttons.

The Week ahead: Two more in the nation’s capital against the Nats before they visit the Ravine for three against the Dodgers to put a bow on the Interleague season.                    

This Week’s MLB Power Rankings (June 18-June 24) with the team’s current standings and their rise/fall since last Week’s rankings:

1. Chicago Cubs (48-28) (no change): They sure love the home cookin’ down in Chicago.

2. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (47-30) (+1): At this point the Rangers and A’s are playing for second place in the A.L. West.

3. Boston Red Sox (47-32) (-1): Curt Schilling had successful shoulder surgery yesterday and could begin throwing of a mound by January.

4. St. Louis Cardinals (44-33) (+1): Taking two of three at Fenway shows just how gutsy and scrappy this team really is.

5. Tampa Bay Rays (44-31) (+1): Is there a team that has more dramatic walk-off wins than the Rays?

6. Philadelphia Phillies (42-35) (-2): No coincidence that losing seven of 10 has come with Chase Utley’s recent slump.

7. Oakland Athletics (41-34) (+1): Their 8-13 record against division opponents needs to get better if the A’s have any hopes of overtaking the Angels.

8. Chicago White Sox (41-34) (-1): Surprise of the week: They get swept by the Cubs, yet no profanity laced tirade from Ozzie Guillen.

9. New York Yankees (41-35) (+2): Thanks to his peers, Derek Jeter is now known as “Mr. Overrated”.

10. Milwaukee Brewers (42-34) (+2): Their recent hot stretch has suddenly made the N.L. Central a three team race.

11. Florida Marlins (40-35) (-2): Dan Uggla currently leads the Majors with 23 long balls.

12. Arizona Diamondbacks (40-37) (-2): They should thank their lucky stars that they play in the N.L. worst.

13. Minnesota Twins (40-36) (+3): They’ve won six in a row and are now just 1.5 games behind Chicago in the A.L. Central.

14. Baltimore Orioles (38-36) (no change): George Sherrill, who had only three saves last season, now has 25.

15. Atlanta Braves (38-40) (-2): Mark Teixeira had his second career three homer game on Sunday against the Mariners.

16. Texas Rangers (39-38) (-1): After only winning six games last season, Vincent Padilla has already racked up 10 in ‘08.

17. Detroit Tigers (36-39) (+6): Big mo’ in Motown, as the Tigers win eight of ten.

18. New York Mets (37-38) (+1): All the talk about their struggles and they only sit four games out of first.

19. Pittsburgh Pirates (36-40) (+2): Nate McLouth is leading the team in RBI’s, runs, and stolen bases.

20. Cincinnati Reds (35-42) (no change): Edinson Volquez and his 1.79 ERA are tops in the Majors.

21. Cleveland Indians (35-41) (+3): With every loss those C.C. Sabathia trade rumors keep getting louder and louder.

22. Los Angeles Dodgers (35-40) (no change): I wonder how much Joe Torre cringes penciling Angel Berroa into his lineup card.

23. Toronto Blue Jays (36-41) (-6): The Jays are hoping that their back to the future hiring of Cito Gaston will result in some much needed wins. Hey, it worked for Michael J. Fox.

24. Houston Astros (35-41) (-6): Things have gone south for them in a hurry.

25. Colorado Rockies (32-45) (+2): Is Troy Tulowitzki’s return to the lineup going to help this team turn their season around?

26. Kansas City Royals (34-43) (+3): They are now 10-3 in Interleague play - tops in the Majors.

27. San Francisco Giants (32-44) (-1): They blew a 10-3 lead against the Royals on Sunday. Now you know why they’re so bad.

28. San Diego Padres (32-45) (-3): At least Adrian Gonzalez (.294/21 hr/65 rbi) is having a great season.

29. Washington Nationals (30-48) (-1): They have identical records of 15-24 at home and on the road. At least that shows some consistency. Doesn’t it?

30. Seattle Mariners (27-49) (no change): Another week, another firing.

Discuss:

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