The Times’ baseball rankings

Last week’s ranking in parentheses, statistics are through Friday’s games:

1. ANGELS: Postseason appearances: Six in 15 years under Mike Scioscia, three in 38 years before Scioscia. (1)

2. BALTIMORE: So, if the Orioles and Washington reach the World Series, is it called the Beltway Series ... (2)

3. WASHINGTON: … or the Parkway Series? Descendants of the Browns vs. Descendants of the Expos? (3)

4. DETROIT: Closer Joe Nathan: 94 batters faced since All-Star break, zero home runs but 1.7 WHIP. (7)

5. DODGERS: Don Mattingly outdoes Tom Lasorda, opens managerial career with four winning seasons in a row. (5)

6. ST. LOUIS: Close to winning second division title in a row despite trades for Lackey (4.50 ERA) and Masterson (7.53). (8)

7. KANSAS CITY: Royals’ best attendance, just shy of 2 million, since George Brett’s farewell season in 1993. (9)

8. PITTSBURGH: Russell Martin has the highest OBP in majors (minimum 400 plate appearances). (10)

9. SAN FRANCISCO: All that and catching too: Buster Posey leads NL with .358 average, .995 OPS since All-Star break. (4)

10. OAKLAND: Angels lost 14 games in AL West standings in 49 days in 1995. A’s lost 15 1/2 games in 40 days this year. (13)

11. SEATTLE: Felix Hernandez has 16 career games with no earned runs given up, 10 strikeouts and no victory. (6)

12. CLEVELAND: Corey Kluber (16-9, 2.54 ERA) is up from 160 innings last year to career-high 220 this year. (15)

13. MILWAUKEE: Brewers had at least a share of first place every day through Aug. 31. Playoffs? Probably on TV. (11)

14. NEW YORK YANKEES: Can Masahiro Tanaka return from torn elbow ligament without surgery? He’ll try Sunday. (16)

15. SAN DIEGO: Padres score 3.27 runs per game, home and away. They give up 2.97 runs per game at home, 4.14 away.

16. ATLANTA: Braves’ 4-12 record in September is the worst in the majors. (14)

17. CHICAGO WHITE SOX: Final week of distinguished career of Paul Konerko (.604 OPS this year). (23)

18. TAMPA BAY: Publicity gem: Manager Joe Maddon wears T-shirt of different nonprofit to news conference each day. (17)

19. TORONTO: If Royals make the playoffs, the Blue Jays will be the team with the longest postseason drought, 21 years. (12)

20. NEW YORK METS: Casey Stengel bobblehead fitting for team with six consecutive losing seasons. (18)

21. BOSTON: David Ortiz has nine 30 HR/100 RBI seasons for Red Sox, breaking Ted Williams’ franchise record. (21)

22. MIAMI: Giancarlo Stanton, whose season ended after being hit on the face, plans to wear helmet with a face guard. (24)

23. MINNESOTA: Complete list of teams scoring more runs since All-Star break than Twins: Tigers. That’s it. (26)

24. COLORADO: Troy Tulowitzki played two games after All-Star break, likely to finish second on team in home runs. (28)

26. CINCINNATI: More likely to strike out than not against closer Aroldis Chapman: 161 batters faced, 94 strikeouts. (25)

25. HOUSTON: Rookie first baseman Jon Singleton is benched after 12 strikeouts in 14 at-bats. (20)

27. CHICAGO CUBS: One of two teams to score three runs in an inning against Clayton Kershaw this season. (27)

28. TEXAS: Ron Washington’s ill-advised news conference: No questions taken, no answers provided. (29)

29. PHILADELPHIA: Ryan Howard against left-handers: HR every 14.5 at-bats; strikeout every 2.3 at-bats. (22)

30. ARIZONA: Giant slayer Dave Stewart could be a GM David to the Dodgers’ Goliath. (30)