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The Times’ baseball rankings

Zack Greinke pitches against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on May 05.

Zack Greinke pitches against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on May 05.

(Mike McGinnis / Getty Images)
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Last week’s ranking in parentheses, statistics are through Friday’s games:

1. ST. LOUIS: The Cardinals responded to Adam Wainwright’s injury by winning 10 of their next 13. (2)

2. DODGERS: Each Zack Greinke start is becoming must-watch. Of course, most of you still can’t. (5)

3. N.Y. YANKEES: Alex Rodriguez (.894 OPS) and Mark Teixeira (.958) are partying like it’s 2009. (7)

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4. DETROIT: David Price left Friday’s game with a strained hamstring. (4)

5. HOUSTON: The Astros are second in the major leagues in home runs. (3)

6. KANSAS CITY: All-Star closer Greg Holland returns to what was already the best bullpen in the majors. (1)

7. MINNESOTA: Eddie Rosario hit a home run on his first big league pitch and helped the Twins win eight of nine. (23)

8. WASHINGTON: Nationals have become a very hot team, and Bryce Harper is simply on fire. (15)

9. N.Y. METS: Noah Syndergaard will make his debut Tuesday. For most teams, he’s the ace in waiting. Not for the Mets. (10)

10. CHICAGO CUBS: Jon Lester is 0 for 50 lifetime as a hitter — which qualifies him to play second base for the Phillies. (8)

11. SAN DIEGO: James Shields is 4-0 despite a 4.25 earned-run average. (11)

12. TAMPA BAY: Latest Tommy John surgery victim: Alex Cobb. (13)

13. SAN FRANCISCO: All the way back to .500 thanks to a rejuvenated Tim Lincecum. (25)

14. TORONTO: Rookie Devon Travis is the Joc Pederson of the American League, with seven home runs and 23 RBIs. (18)

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15. CINCINNATI: Or maybe it’s Todd Frazier, who has 10 singles and 10 home runs. (20)

16. ANGELS: Performances like Jered Weaver’s shutout Friday are helping buoy the lineup. (12)

17. ATLANTA: Freddie Freeman is batting .324 with five homers and 18 RBIs (26)

18. MIAMI: Dee Gordon is tops among all hitters in wins above replacement. (16)

19. ARIZONA: Tuffy Gosewisch was six for eight with five RBIs in two games. Also has the best name in the league. (21)

20. TEXAS: The Rangers have the worst batting average in the league. (27)

21. CHICAGO WHITE SOX: It took the White Sox 25 games to score 83 runs. It took the Blue Jays 14. (24)

22. OAKLAND: Stephen Vogt is the (very) early front-runner for MVP. And no, you’re not hallucinating (22)

23. BALTIMORE: Orioles’ starters are 11th in the American League in ERA. (17)

24. CLEVELAND: Reigning Cy Young winner Corey Kluber is 0-5. (28)

26. PITTSBURGH: The Buccos have lost six of seven. (9)

25. SEATTLE: The Mariners have the second-worst run differential in the American League. (19)

27. MILWAUKEE: New Manager Craig Counsell has injected some life. Will it last? (30)

28. PHILADELPHIA: Beating Matt Harvey might be Philadelphia’s best sports moment until football season. (29)

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29. BOSTON: Pitching is horrible. Can you deflate a baseball? (6)

30. COLORADO: Losers of eight in a row. When it rains, it pours in Denver. (14)

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