TOP OF THE ORDER
Bill Shaikin ranks the 30 teams. Last week’s ranking in parentheses, statistics are through Friday’s games:
1. OAKLAND:
Jon Lester’s last 204 starts with Red Sox: one shutout. Lester’s first two starts with A’s: one shutout. (1)
2. BALTIMORE:
Nelson Cruz: 34, one year after Biogenesis suspension, sixth straight year with 22+ HR. (5)
3. DODGERS:
.564 winning percentage would be lowest for team with NL’s best record since 2007 Diamondbacks (.556). (4)
4. MILWAUKEE:
Sunday’s giveaway is a chorizo-themed bobblehead doll, with a mustard-stained sombrero. (6)
5. ANGELS:
They have used 25 relievers, most of any AL team, and six starting pitchers, fewest of any AL team. (2)
6. DETROIT:
What pitcher has given up most runs in baseball? Justin Verlander, who might be No. 5 among Tigers starters. (3)
7. PITTSBURGH:
3B Pedro Alvarez, with 15 HRs and MLB-high 24 errors, soon could become a 1B. (9)
8. KANSAS CITY:
Royals rank last in AL in home runs, first in stolen bases. They are also last in walks. (13)
9. WASHINGTON:
Stephen Strasburg gave up 2 HRs in April, 2 in May, 5 in June, 4 in July — and 4 on Friday. (8)
10. N.Y. YANKEES:
The only players Jeter won’t top on alltime hit list: Rose, Cobb, Aaron, Musial, Speaker. (15)
11. SAN FRANCISCO:
The Dan Uggla Experiment: 11 AB, 6 K, 0 H, 3 E. Giants have used eight second basemen this year. (12)
12. ST. LOUIS:
Matt Carpenter is the only leadoff man in majors with 50 walks. (10)
13. SEATTLE:
Felix Hernandez could become first AL pitcher with 20 starts and ERA under 2.00 since Pedro Martinez. (14)
14. ATLANTA:
Relieved to be done with California this season. Not-so-Golden State record: 1-8. (11)
15. MIAMI:
NL HR leader Giancarlo Stanton on pace to finish with 39 HRs. (20)
16. TORONTO:
Jose Bautista: one of two qualifying major leaguers with more walks than strikeouts. (7)
17. CINCINNATI:
NL ERA leader, non-Clayton Kershaw division: Reds’ Johnny Cueto (2.04). (17)
18. CLEVELAND:
Carlos Santana is first player with 400 walks in first five seasons since Albert Pujols and Adam Dunn. (18)
19. CHICAGO WHITE SOX:
In rare game, Dunn pitches one inning without striking anyone out. (19)
20. TAMPA BAY:
Evan Longoria has a .394 slugging percentage, just ahead of Dodgers leadoff man Dee Gordon (.391). (16)
21. SAN DIEGO:
New GM A.J. Preller goes from team 26 games out of first place to team 121⁄2 games out. (21)
22. N.Y. METS:
Who’s on da roster? D’Arnaud (catcher), deGrom (pitcher), and den Dekker (outfielder). (23)
23. BOSTON:
Red Sox 3B: .598 OPS. Only qualifying AL player with lower OPS: Sox OF Jackie Bradley Jr. (.584). (22)
24. CHICAGO CUBS:
Biggest news last week was the guy they didn’t get: P Cole Hamels. (26)
25. ARIZONA:
Injured Paul Goldschmidt, whose last hit came in July, still leads NL in doubles and extra-base hits. (27)
26. MINNESOTA:
The only AL player to score more runs than Mike Trout: Twins second baseman Brian Dozier. (24)
27. HOUSTON:
5-foot-6 dynamo Jose Altuve leads MLB in total hits, including 26 infield hits — only one of them a bunt. (28)
28. PHILADELPHIA:
Which pitcher did Phillies trade? Hamels? Cliff Lee? No, Roberto Hernandez. (25)
29. TEXAS:
Leads majors in players used (55) and pitchers used (33). In contrast, Brewers have used 35 players. (30)
30. COLORADO:
Troy Tulowitzki: “I’m sick and tired of losing.” Hey, the Dodgers will need a shortstop next season. (29)