The Times’ baseball rankings
Last week’s ranking in parentheses, statistics are through Friday’s games:
1. Athletics: No money? They have gone longer into season without using a rookie than any team since 1971 Orioles.
2. Angels: Franchise rookies with two 10-strikeout games: Bo Belinsky, Frank Tanana, Ken McBride, and Matt Shoemaker.
3. Tigers: Next home run ties Miguel Cabrera, 31, with Frank Howard and Jim Rice on all-time list.
4. Rays: This week brings merciful end to nonstop “Will they trade David Price?” stories (until the off-season, anyway).
5. Orioles: Jim Johnson saved 101 games for Baltimore in 2012-13, a bust in Oakland this year. Reunion time?
6. Dodgers: Matt Kemp is sixth on the Los Angeles Dodgers all-time HR list; Eric Karros leads.
7. Brewers: Zach Duke, who went to camp on minor league contract: 1.10 ERA, 41 innings, eight walks, 54 strikeouts.
8. Giants: Bruce Bochy is about to pass former Dodgers manager Tom Lasorda on all-time victory list.
9. Pirates: Edinson Volquez has 3.86 ERA, lowest since 2008, the year after he was traded for Josh Hamilton.
10. Cardinals: Pitcher Adam Wainwright: .585 OPS in 43 at-bats. Hyped outfield prospect Oscar Taveras: .533 OPS in 84.
11. Nationals: Closer Rafael Soriano has faced 149 batters and given up only one home run.
12. Braves: Justin Upton has highest batting average (.286) among Atlanta starters, big brother B.J. the lowest (.214).
13. Mariners: In search of big bat, they acquire Kendrys Morales, who had one home run in 154 at-bats for the Twins.
14. Yankees: Third baseman Chase Headley’s first four games in New York: six for 14; July overall: .320.
15. Blue Jays: Toronto had a 21-9 record in May, 21-26 from June 1 through July 25.
16. Royals: Billy Butler: 29 home runs in 2012, 15 last year, on pace for six this year. He’s the designated hitter.
17. Indians: Team that traded CC Sabathia and Cliff Lee now has C.C. Lee on its pitching staff.
18. Reds: Andre Ethier would fit nicely in Cincinnati as platoon left fielder, if the Dodgers paid enough to make it happen.
19. Marlins: Nothing says low attendance like “Christian Yelich Bobblehead: First 12,000 Fans.”
20. White Sox: Should Chris Sale have been the first pick of the 2010 draft, not Bryce Harper?
21. Padres: San Diego has given the most plate appearances to a guy with a .256 OBP (shortstop Everth Cabrera).
22. Red Sox: Three rookies have at least 60 starts (Xander Bogaerts, Jackie Bradley, Brock Holt) for first time since 1966.
23. Mets: In biggest market in North America, the anony-Mets rank 12th among 15 National League teams in attendance.
24. Diamondbacks: These guys are biggest road draw in NL. Really. (Big crowds in L.A. and San Francisco.)
25. Twins: Chuck Knoblauch’s induction into team hall of fame canceled after arrest for allegedly assaulting ex-wife.
26. Phillies: Ryan Howard miffed at platoon, or confused. OPS this year vs. right-handers: .682; vs. left-handers: .681.
27. Cubs: Long season, again: Top three stories on team website Thursday were about Greg Maddux.
28. Astros: They haven’t had a winning record since Darin Erstad roamed their outfield (2008).
29. Rockies: Free Troy Tulowitzki.
30. Rangers: It has come to this: Jerome Williams, cut by Astros with 6.04 ERA, started Friday for Texas.
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