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

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Highlights of the Week: Vladamir Guerrero is on fire, getting better with every at bat. The former MVP blasted three home runs, drove in six, and went 10-20 (.500) in five games. Torii Hunter had a great effort last Friday against the Yanks, collecting collected four hits, smacked a homer and drove in four runs, helping the Halos to a sweep of New York at the A.

Lowlights of the Week: If the Angels have some Kryptonite, this is it: Rookie pitchers making their debuts. The Orioles’ Chris Waters was the latest newbie to make a successful debut against the Halos.

The Week ahead: Two at home against the lowly Mariners before a weekend series in Cleveland against the Tribe.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Highlights of the Week: Manny Ramirez continues his assault on NL pitching, going 11-27 (.407 avg.) with two homers and eight RBIs, but he wasn’t the only Dodger outfielder that had himself a solid week. Matt Kemp continued his stellar play by going 11-33 (.333 avg.) in seven games. On the mound, Brad Penny returned from the DL on Friday to pitch five innings of one run ball in a victory over the Giants.

Lowlights of the Week: Two heartbreakers in San Francisco, courtesy of the NL’s best bullpen. Jonathon Broxton couldn’t hold a 2-1 lead in the tenth inning on Saturday night and then Hong-Chih Kuo and some shoddy infield defense blew another game on Sunday. LA missed a huge opportunity to gain control of the division.

The Week ahead: The tough home stand continues with three more against the Phils and a weekend series against the Brewers.

This week’s MLB Power Rankings (August 5-12) with the team’s current standings and their rise/fall since last week’s rankings:

1. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (74-43) (no change): Death, taxes, and the Angels owning the Yankees.

2. Tampa Bay Rays (71-46) (no change): Evan Longoria joins Carl Crawford on the DL with a fractured wrist. Can they hang on to that 4.5 game lead in the AL East?

3. Chicago Cubs (71-47) (no change): Kosuke Fukudome may be riding the pine soon if he doesn’t start hitting.

4. Milwaukee Brewers (68-51) (+2): CC Sabathia has been a complete game machine since coming to the NL.

5. Boston Red Sox (68-51) (-1): Clay Buchholz is now 0-6 with a 8.19 ERA in his last eight starts.

6. Minnesota Twins (66-52) (-1): Glen Perkins (9-3, 4.07) has been one of the many surprises in the rotation this season.

7. Chicago White Sox (65-52) (+1): Carlos Quentin (32 homers, 90 RBIs) could win the AL MVP if the Sox can find their way to the playoffs.

8. Philadelphia Phillies (64-54) (+1): The odds-on favorite to win the NL East.

9. New York Yankees (63-56) (-2): It’s looking like they’ll be at home in October.

10. St. Louis Cardinals (66-55) (no change): Would Ryan Ludwick be the unlikeliest MVP winner in MLB history?

11. Florida Marlins (62-57) (no change): Six straight home games coming up against the Cards and Cubs.

12. New York Mets (62-56) (no change): The bullpen is what will keep them from the playoffs.

13. Texas Rangers (61-58) (no change): David Murphy’s injury (sprained right knee) is a blow.

14. Toronto Blue Jays (60-59) (+3): Scott Rolen’s decline continues.

15. Los Angeles Dodgers (59-59) (-1): All-Star Catcher Russell Martin has not homered since July 10th.

16. Arizona Diamondbacks (60-58) (-1): The Snakes answer Manny-to-LA by snatching Adam Dunn from Cincinnati.

17. Houston Astros (59-59) (+2): Could they actually make a run at the NL Wild Card?

18. Detroit Tigers (58-60) (-2): Gary Sheffield opens up his big mouth again.

19. Baltimore Orioles (56-61) (-1): Could Aubrey Huff still be moved?

20. Kansas City Royals (54-64) (+1): Joakim Soria (32 saves, 1.51 ERA) is the best closer that nobody has heard of.

21. Colorado Rockies (53-67) (-1): 2-5 at home against the Nationals and Padres last week.

22. Pittsburgh Pirates (54-64) (+2): Jeff Karstens has yet to give up a run in 15 innings with the Bucs.

23. Atlanta Braves (55-63) (+2): They will miss the playoffs again, but can play the spoiler role down the stretch in the NL East.

24. Cleveland Indians (53-64) (+2): Cliff Lee’s march towards the Cy Young is just about the only thing worth nothing for the Tribe this season.

25. Oakland Athletics (54-63) (-3): Brad Ziegler’s scorless streak is now at 37 innings.

26. Cincinnati Reds (52-67) (-3): I’m gonna miss all the Adam Dunn trade rumors.

27. San Francisco Giants (50-67) (no change): They must have felt great spoiling the Dodgers’ Weekend.

28. Seattle Mariners (45-73) (no change): Raul Ibanez had 11 RBIs in two games last week against the Twins.

29. San Diego Padres (46-72) (no change): Brian Giles decided that chasing a ring in Boston isn’t as good as the nice weather and constant losing in San Diego.

30. Washington Nationals (44-75) (no change): Lastings Milledge is batting .415 (17-41) with five homers in the month of August.

Discuss:

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