1. Angels (71-43) Key to beating them: start minor league journeyman Chris Waters.
  2. Cubs (69-46) Just imagine: Mark Cuban owning a team managed by Lou Piniella.
  3. Red Sox (66-49) Reportedly interested in OF Brian Giles. About four years late.
  4. Rays (68-46) Looking into Todd Frohwirth to join Chad Bradford in sidearming bullpen.
  5. Phillies (62-52) Ryan Howard (32 HR, 97 RBIs) putting together great second half.
  6. White Sox (63-50) Carlos Quentin (30 HR, 87 RBI) was huge offseason signing.
  7. Brewers (64-51) Harvey's Wall-Bangers replaced by Prince's Face-smashers.
  8. Twins (63-51) Return of pitcher Francisco Liriano only helps. They won’t go away.
  9. Yankees (63-52) Report: Chewbacca signing imminent with Joba injured
  10. Marlins (61-54) Last in MLB in payroll, attendance. Among tops in talent.
  11. Diamondbacks (59-56) Better than the record indicates, but L.A. is catching up fast.
  12. Cardinals (64-53) Kyle Lohse (13 wins, 3.80 ERA) looking like brilliant signing.
  13. Mets (60-54) Confident Mets fans: Remember last year’s collapse?
  14. Dodgers (57-57) Manny being Manny is OK if he’s hitting homers.
  15. Rangers (60-56) Eddie Guardado named closer after winning hot-dog eating contest.
  16. Blue Jays (59-56) Should have traded A.J. Burnett. They have little shot at wild card.
  17. Tigers (56-58) Jair Jurrjens (3.12 ERA) has great young arm, funny name.
  18. Athletics (53-61) Last in AL in average, runs, slugging and OPS.
  19. Rockies (52-65) Livan Hernandez’s ERA, belt size converge in Coors Field.
  20. Orioles (54-59) Getting rid of reliever Chad Bradford save $4.5 million.
  21. Astros (55-59) Roy Oswalt is team’s best pitcher with a 4.56 ERA
  22. Braves (53-62) Why exactly did they trade for Mark Teixeira in the first place?
  23. Reds (52-64) Corey Patterson: .192, 7 home runs, 11 stolen bases.
  24. Royals (53-62) Didn’t have anyone to trade this year? That explains their record.
  25. Indians (49-64) The Matt LaPorta Era should begin shortly.
  26. Pirates (52-62) Looks like they stole pitcher Jeff Karstens from the Yankees.
  27. Giants (48-65) Without Tim Lincecum, they’d be the worst team in MLB.
  28. Padres (44-71) Somebody wants Brian Giles. Take some pine tar and call it even.
  29. Mariners (45-70) Six months later: How’s that Erik Bedard trade working out?
  30. Nationals (44-71) Currently winning the race for the No. 1 pick in the '09 draft.

KEY SERIES

Phillies at Dodgers (Monday-Thursday)

Two of the National League’s best teams meet in a rare, early week four-game series. The Phillies, who are powered by their league-leading 159 home runs, have the best road record in the league. Philadelphia throws Kyle Kendrick, Cole Hamels, Joe Blanton and Brett Myers. The Dodgers, who have hit the second-fewest homers (81) in the league, are scheduled to start Derek Lowe, Clayton Kershaw, Brad Penny and Hiroki Kuroda.