TOP OF THE ORDER

Zach Helfand ranks the 30 teams. Last week’s ranking in parentheses, statistics are through Friday’s games:

1. ST. LOUIS: The Cardinals are continuing to hack down the competition. (1)

2. KANSAS CITY: Raul Mondesi Jr. will play in the Futures Game — if Royals fans don’t vote him as an All Star first. (2)

3. Max WASHINGTON:Scherzer is a no-hitterAt this point, threat every time he starts. (16)

4. main HOUSTON:in first place The despite Astros an reup-and-down June. (4)

5. still TAMPA throwing BAY: bull’s-eyes.Chris ArcherHe’s is undefeated in June. (6)

6. DODGERS: Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke better start hitting home runs if they want to win games. (5)

7. PITTSBURGH: These rankings were perfect until the Pirates ruined them. (3)

8. CHICAGO CUBS: The Cardinals are still in the way. The Cubs have lost five of the teams’ first seven games. (12)

9. SAN FRANCISCO: Fun fact: The Giants hit three triples in a game for the first time since 1960. (14)

10. overtook TORONTO:the CardinalsThe Blue this Jays week for the the majors. best (10)run differential in

11. have BALTIMORE:lost only one The series Oriolesin all of June. (15)

12. derkind MINNESOTA:Byron Buxton Twins’is off wun-to a shaky headed start,to the and disablednow he’s list. (9)

13. and N.Y. Nathan YANKEES: Eovaldi, Chris both Young Houston day natives,win against were the heroes Astros.in Fri-(8)

14. been ANGELS:more than The four Angels games haven’tfrom .500,son. (13)in either direction, all sea

15. averagesred-hot(7) TEXAS: Rangersat work:This lost was The six the oncein lawa row.of

16. 17. hasn’taging tween ARIZONA: DETROIT:234 2009 been inningsand the Paul Justin2013. sameper Goldschmidt(18) year since Verlanderbe- avernow above leads replacement.the majors (17)in wins

18. few open N.Y. games hitting METS: away tryoutsThe from Metson holding Centralare a 19. Park’s five-game OAKLAND:Great winning Lawn. The streak(11) Athletics’was their longest of the season. (26)

20. has than CINCINNATI:a Giancarlobetter slugging Stanton.Todd percentageFrazier(20)

21. tered game ATLANTA:just series two with runs The the in Braves Nationals.a three- mus(19)22. McClendon SEATTLE: told Managerfans to “relax Lloyd a little OK.” bit. Now This prove teamit. (23)is going to be

23. penedyear’swith25. 24. still and CLEVELAND:BOSTON:SAN sittingan a Cy 3.66to average DIEGO:Corey Young ERA.on fiveIn below Kluber?winner(21)the Matt home What Boston.250. Kempis Last runs hap-3-9 (22) is Globe,thatter.”27. 26. do homers league-bestalready CHICAGO COLORADO:Soundsthe Dan and “Red has Shaughnessydefense.60 aboutSox WHITE exceededRBIs Nolanare right. with(27)a SOX: disas- Arena-20 (25) wrote Afterof had28. injurythis games MIAMI:team25 playing extinguisheshomers.last had Giancarloyear,the left. This same (24) Jose any year: Stanton’snumberAbreuhope13. (28)

29. sion, points28% 30. manager PHILADELPHIA:MILWAUKEE:fewer Ryan below Ryne homersBraun career Sandberghas per Since averagehit game. Outgoing suspen-49 told with (29) reporters,Phillies weren’t“I hate for to him. lose.” (30) The