The bottom half

Angels: The A’s ranked last in the major leagues in home runs when they signed Frank Thomas on Thursday, passing on Barry Bonds in favor of the only major leaguer to voluntarily speak with George Mitchell’s steroid investigators. The Angels and A’s fill the top two spots in the American League West as they meet for the first time this season. It has been seven years since neither the Angels nor A’s won the division.

Angels vs. A’s, Monday through Thursday at Angel Stadium.

Dodgers: The Dodgers return to the site of Jeff Kent’s memorable shot at the kids. “I don’t know why they don’t get it -- professionalism, how to manufacture runs, how to keep your emotions in it,” Kent said at Coors Field last September. “I’m angry and disappointed and perplexed and bitter.” Joe Torre might have put a lid on that discussion, but here’s another topic: The Dodgers have lost six consecutive games in Denver.

The week ahead

Dodgers vs. Rockies, Friday through next Sunday at Coors Field.

Elsewhere: To this point, the Diamondbacks have faced the NL West and the Cincinnati Reds. That’s five opponents, none with winning records. That could mean the NL West is really competitive, or really bad. We could find out which one next weekend, when the Diamondbacks visit New York to face the Mets -- and Johan Santana. In 16 innings against Arizona, Santana has struck out 16 and given up one run.

Diamondbacks vs. Mets, Friday through next Sunday at Shea Stadium.

Minor league player of the week

Dodgers: Terry Tiffee, 3B

He’s not a prospect, but his amazing start merits a salute. Tiffee, 29, is the very definition of organizational depth: When the Dodgers needed a third baseman after losing Nomar Garciaparra and Andy LaRoche to injury, they skipped Tiffee in favor of double-A prospect Blake DeWitt. Tiffee, who has had three cups of coffee with the Minnesota Twins, is hitting .463 at triple-A Las Vegas, with 15 extra-base hits and 18 RBIs in 21 games.

Angels: Jose Arredondo, RHP

It’s not entirely fair to pick one player from the Angels’ triple-A Salt Lake roster when the Bees started their season 19-1. But Arredondo, who was called up after Friday’s game, earned seven saves in his first nine games, holding opponents to a .229 average and striking out eight in 10 innings. Arredondo, 24, has struck out 312 in 310 minor league innings.

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Stats corner

Vladimir Guerrero has a reputation for swinging at everything, but the Angels’ slugger does not rank among the top 40 major league hitters this season in fewest pitches per plate appearances.

In this week’s stats corner: Leaders in pitches per plate appearance, from Stats LLC, through Friday’s games:

Most pitches per plate appearance:

*--* 1. Kosuke Fukudome Cubs 4.53 2. Andruw Jones Dodgers 4.48 3. Alex Rios Toronto 4.43 4. Jose Bautista Pittsburgh 4.37 5. David Wright Mets 4.35 6. Nate McLouth Pittsburgh 4.34 7. Mark Reynolds Arizona 4.32 8. Brandon Inge Detroit 4.29 9. Nick Swisher White Sox 4.28 10. Jack Cust Oakland 4.26 14. Andre Ethier Dodgers 4.24 28. Gary Matthews Jr. Angels 4.14 *--*

*--* 35. Chone Figgins Angels 4.11 *--*

Fewest pitches per plate appearance:

*--* 1. Carl Crawford Tampa Bay 3.03 2. Derek Jeter Yankees 3.14 3. Yuniesky Betancourt Seattle 3.15 4. Conor Jackson Arizona 3.18 5. Chipper Jones Atlanta 3.19 6. Emil Brown Oakland 3.22 7. Yadier Molina St. Louis 3.24 8. Carlos Lee Houston 3.24 9. Joey Gathright Kansas City 3.25 10. Cristian Guzman Washington 3.27 14. Casey Kotchman Angels 3.35 28. Matt Kemp Dodgers 3.48 29. Jeff Kent Dodgers 3.50 37. Torii Hunter Angels 3.56 43. Vladimir Guerrero Angels 3.61 *--*

-- Bill Shaikin