Boone AP

The Good ... Where do you start? Bret Boone (AL-leading 82 RBIs)? Ichiro Suzuki (129 hits, on a major-league record pace, with 42 multi-hit games)? The highest-scoring team in the league? Maybe the best reliever in baseball, Kazuhiro Sasaki (29 saves)? Three starters with nine wins (Jamie Moyer, Aaron Sele and Freddy Garcia)? These guys are good.

The Bad ... Now we're nitpicking. Manager Lou Piniella says the team needs another big bat. Other teams should have such needs. In one stretch in late June, they were 4-7. (So, they won five straight after that.) Al Martin (.210, 3, 21) is hardly tearing it up. But, hey, we are nitpicking here.

The Rest ... Lou Piniella has this team humming. Don't be surprised if they do make a move in July for a bat. But, as is, this is the team to beat in baseball. They do everything well. If they play .500 the rest of the way, they'll win 101 games. And the West, going away.  

Giambi AP

The Good ... Jason Giambi (.332, 19, 60) has done everything he can. Tim Hudson (8-5, 3.17) and Mark Mulder (8-6, 4.08) are solid starters, too, and Barry Zito (5-6, 4.75) could be with some more run support. But, c'mon, folks. This is a team that can't hit.

The Bad ... Johnny Damon has been a nightmare (.230, 5, 32 with a paltry .295 on-base percentage). This team is eighth in homers, fourth in doubles -- but, somehow, 12th in hits in the AL. Think it's ugly now? Wait till later this month.

The Rest ... At 21 games back, even second place holds no consolation. Damon figures to be dealt, Giambi is a rumor (would they?) and any number of others could go as the A's dump salary. And whither manager Art Howe? We suspect on the chopping block soon.  

Percival AP

The Good ... Mo Vaughn is out for the year and they're still hanging with the A's. Unfortunately, no one is hanging with the M's. The Angels have an awesome closer in Troy Percival (19 saves, 0.90 ERA). If only they had the opportunity to use him more often.

The Bad ... Tim Salmon is stinking (.206, 9, 26, .108 with runners in scoring position). Pitcher Pat Rapp (2-9, 4.63) has been bad, too, along with Scott Schoeneweis (0-4, 10.19 in last four starts). It doesn't look like things will get better, either.

The Rest ... The loss of Vaughn really hurt. Couple that with Salmon's slide and the Angels are where they are. There is promise here. Troy Glaus, Darin Erstad, young pitcher Jarrod Washburn. There is promise. Just not this season.  

Rodriguez AP

The Good ... You may not think Alex Rodriguez (.317, 24, 69, tied for the AL lead with 72 runs scored) is worth the $252 million the Rangers are paying him. But, goodness, where would they be without him? Ivan Rodriguez (.295, 17, 45) and Rafael Palmeiro (.259, 21, 60) have helped. No one else has.

The Bad ... Ugh, that pitching. Rick Helling (5-7, 5.30) and Kenny Rogers (3-6, 6.37) were supposed to be the good ones. The team has struggled to find a closer. Offense-wise, veterans Ken Caminiti (now waived) and Andres Galarraga have pooped out.

The Rest ... Manager Johnny Oates is gone, replaced by Jerry Narron, and the Rangers have committed to a youth movement (is this a barn door thingy?). But, boy oh boy, can a fan get old watching this stuff. Watch out for 2003, though.