The Times’ MLB rankings

Using a few IndyCar terms in a nod to the Long Beach Grand Prix, these are Deputy Sports Editor Mike Hiserman’s rankings through Friday’s games. (Last week’s rankings are in parentheses.)

IN CLEAN AIR

1. ATLANTA Braves were 13-0 when they homered, 0-3 when they didn’t. (1)

2. OAKLAND More Moneyball? More good baseball is more like it. (4)

3. BOSTON Unexpected early-season roll couldn’t come at better time for ’Sox Nation. (13)

4. COLORADO 0-3 against Giants, 11-1 versus everyone else. (21)

SLIPSTREAMING

5. SAN FRANCISCO Go figure: second in NL in batting average, 10th in ERA. (3)

6. WASHINGTON Typically light-hitting catcher Kurt Suzuki batting .360. (2)

7. TEXAS Pain in the back: Opening-day starter Matt Harrison out until after All-Star break. (5)

8. N.Y. YANKEES Doing Wells: Vernon batting .310 and already has five home runs. (15)

9. DETROIT Prince Fielder and Miguel Cabrera have 37 RBIs; the Dodgers have 38. (6)

10. ST. LOUIS Jake Westbrook has walked 10 in 15¿2/3¿ innings and not given up a run. (8)

11. CINCINNATI Had a tough week? Google Todd Frazier/Teddy Kremer and watch the video. (9)

12. ARIZONA 1B Paul Goldschmidt has reached base in 15 of his 16 games. (7)

GOING THROUGH THE GEARS

13 BALTIMORE Orioles have won last 17 extra-inning games dating to last season. (11)

14. KANSAS CITY Top four starters have ERAs between 2.25 and 3.20. (12)

15. N.Y. METS First team to draft budding ace Matt Harvey? The Angels in 2007. (14)

16. PITTSBURGH Pedro Alvarez’s first extra-base hit — in 47th at-bat — landed at 447 feet. (25)

17. DODGERS Next-to-last in NL run production, even with two of top five in average. (10)

18. MILWAUKEE In span of five pitches, Jean Segura stole second, was caught stealing second. (28)

19. TORONTO Welcome to the AL: Hitters batting .317 versus Josh Johnson. (24)

IN DIRTY AIR

20. SEATTLE Scored more than three runs once in nine games — and that was four. (26)

21. MINNESOTA Twins stick with LB Wilson product Aaron Hicks in CF despite .043 average. (27)

22. PHILADELPHIA No patience: Phillies went 137 plate appearances without drawing a walk. (20)

23. ANGELS So much for all that speed in the OF, Angels have MLB-low three stolen bases. (17)

24. TAMPA BAY 5-10 start was worst in Joe Maddon’s eight years as manager. (16)

25. CHI. WHITE SOX More Windy City whiffing: Slugger Adam Dunn batting .105. (18)

STUCK IN THE PITS

26. CLEVELAND Four Indians relievers averaging more than a strikeout per inning. (19)

27. SAN DIEGO If it played Dodgers all the time would move up, oh, about 25 spots. (29)

28. CHICAGO CUBS Outhomered Giants, 8-1, and still managed to lose three of four games. (23)

29. HOUSTON 1B Brett Wallace sent to minors after going one for 24 with 17 strikeouts. (22)

30. MIAMI Surrounded by next to nothing, slugger Giancarlo Stanton batting .162. (30)