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The Times’ baseball rankings

While center fielder Mike Trout (27) is the more celebrated Angels player, it's right fielder Kole Calhoun (56) who is the only major leaguer with 10 homers, 50 runs and a .300 average since June 1.
(Chris Carlson / Associated Press)
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Kevin Baxter ranks the 30 teams. Last week’s ranking in parentheses, statistics are through Friday’s games:

1. ANGELS: Kole Calhoun is the only player in baseball with a .300 average, 50 runs and 10 homers since June 1. (5)

2. BALTIMORE: Orioles haven’t had this big a lead in August since 1997. (2)

3. WASHINGTON: Nationals are an NL-best 25-15 since the All-Star break. (1)

4. DODGERS: Puig has one homer, 7 RBIs in 117 at-bats since taking part in All-Star Home Run Derby. (3)

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5. SAN FRANCISCO: Yusmeiro Petit went 32 days and 46 batters between baserunners allowed. (14)

6. ATLANTA: B.J. Upton (.204) gives Braves NL’s worst hitter for second year in row. A.J. Ellis (.194)? Not enough at-bats. (9)

7. KANSAS CITY: First-place Royals are a baseball-best 26-10 since July 22. (6)

8. OAKLAND: A’s hitting an AL-worst .228 since trading cleanup hitter Yoenis Cespedes. (4)

9. DETROIT: In 2011 Verlander won Cy Young, MVP awards. Now he leads AL in runs allowed (98) and Tigers in losses. (10)

10. MILWAUKEE: Brewers have led the division since April 5, a span of 148 days. (8)

11. CLEVELAND: Relievers have earned a league-high 30 of the Indians’ 69 wins this season. (16)

12. SEATTLE: ERA of 3.03 leaves team with a chance to become first AL team with ERA below 3.00 since 1974 A’s. (7)

13. PITTSBURGH: Pirates’ bullpen worst in the NL with 23 blown saves in 60 chances. (13)

14. ST. LOUIS: Cards play division-leading Brewers 7 times in next 19 days. (11)

15. N.Y. YANKEES: Relievers lead majors with 467 strikeouts, an average of more than 10.3 per 9 innings. (15)

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16. TORONTO: Encarnacion (27) and Bautista (28) are the only pair of teammates with 25-plus home runs. (18)

17. CINCINNATI: Catcher Devin Mesoraco is 6 for 7 with three homers hitting with the bases loaded. (22)

18. MIAMI: NL home run leader Giancarlo Stanton has been walked intentionally 23 times, most in baseball. (12)

19. TAMPA BAY: Rays’ 2.65 ERA, 7 shutouts since the All-Star break are the best in baseball. (17)

20. SAN DIEGO: Punchless Padres averaging an MLB-low 3.3 runs a game. (19)

21. CHICAGO CUBS: Baez, Soler are first players since 1954 with 3 HRs in first 3 MLB games — and both did it in August. (23)

22. N.Y. METS: CF Juan Lagares leads baseball with a 3.6 defensive WAR and is second with 30 defensive runs saved. (21)

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23. CHICAGO WHITE SOX: Jose Abreu only player in either league among top 5 in all three Triple Crown categories (24)

24. BOSTON The team’s leaders in wins, ERA, innings pitched and strikeouts haven’t pitched for Boston since July. (27)

26. MINNESOTA: Brian Dozier’s league-leading 94 runs are 16% of the Twins’ total this season. (25)

25. PHILADELPHIA: Phillies’ .580 August winning percentage since 2005 is highest in the National League. (26)

27. HOUSTON: If Altuve holds on to win the batting title he will become, at 5 feet 5, the shortest champion in 116 seasons. (20)

28. ARIZONA: Paul Gold-¿schmidt hasn’t had an at-bat in August yet still tops team in nine offensive categories. (30)

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29. COLORADO: NL batting leader Justin Morneau (.311) on pace for lowest league-leading average since 1968. (29)

30. TEXAS: Rangers have used an MLB record-tying 59 players this season, 36 of whom have pitched. (28)

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