| MLB Power Rankings |
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Their colorful and outspoken boss orders hits on other guys, then goes ballistic when the orders aren't carried out. His vocabulary probably is best suited to late-night cable TV. And you know what he thinks of anyone who questions him? "I care [bleep] about what they think," Ozzie Guillen said the other day. Keep this up and, before too long, Guillen's Sox will be starring in their own HBO series. |
| 2 |
2 |
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A weekend stumble against the lowly Orioles could have cost the Mets, at least here in the PRs. But with a 9½-game lead in the division, one of the best lineups in the NL, a 40-year-old lefty with 10 wins who is heading for the All-Star Game and a new superstar in third baseman David Wright, who can knock on the Mets these days? |
| 3 |
3 |
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Another weekly cruise for the Tigers against iffy competition. So why all the continued fuss? Well, a week ago Joel Zumaya's fastball hit 102 mph on his way to his first career save. If closer Todd Jones continues to struggle (11.25 ERA in seven June appearances), "Zoom" could be Detroit's baddest boy yet. |
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4 |
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Six of seven looks awfully good, but now the Cards get a real test: Their next six games, away from Busch, will be against the Nos. 1 and 3 teams in the PRs. And Sidney Ponson has been bounced from the rotation, too -- though at this point that's probably a good thing. |
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5 |
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Kevin Youkilis and his big ol' on-base percentage are back at the leadoff spot, sending Coco Crisp tumbling down the order. I'd like to say it's working, but the Sawx are going to have to play someone tougher than the Braves for me to be convinced. |
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Let's see ... they blow a seven-run lead to the Nationals. Randy Johnson is tossed for throwing at someone. Aaron Small, who went 10-0 last year, is released. And A-Rod is hitting .212 this month. I have to think that the Yanks are right where they want to be. |
| 7 |
13 |
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The A's have ripped off 10 straight wins and have won 15 of their last 17. How'd they do that? It's all about pitching. During the streak, they've allowed an average of three runs a game. Even with a lame offense, that's plenty good enough to win. |
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Just off being swept by the surging Marlins (huh?), the Jays can look forward to this week for two reasons. One, they get the Braves for three games. I'm telling you, that's pennies from heaven. And two, A.J. Burnett makes his return on Thursday. Sorry, he doesn't give change. |
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10 |
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For Father's Day, the Dallas Morning News dug up some stats for shortstop Michael Young, who in the 162 games since his son Mateo was born -- Young hasn't had a day off since then -- is batting .335 with 231 hits. If I'm the Rangers, I'm urging a bigger family. |
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7 |
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Shortstop Cesar Izturis could be activated from the DL this week, which clouds things considerably in the L.A. infield. I mean, it'd be different if $39 million man Rafael Furcal weren't hitting .249, with a .329 OBP. And 16 errors. Yecch. The Dodgers have some juggling to do. |
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