The Times’ Major League Baseball rankings

Mike Hiserman ranks the 30 teams. Last week’s ranking in parentheses; statistics are through Friday’s games:

1. OAKLAND: Catchers Derek Norris, John Jaso and Stephen Vogt have combined for a .309 average, 20 homers and 83 RBIs. (1)

2. ANGELS: Rotation ERA at the break: last year, 4.57. This year, 3.81. Can it hold up? (4)

3. DETROIT: Another hot-hitting Martinez: J.D. is batting .431 with four homers and 11 RBIs in 13 games this month. (2)

4. DODGERS: Clayton Kershaw’s last eight starts, all wins: 61 innings, five earned runs, 0.56 ERA, 80 strikeouts, six walks. (5)

5. BALTIMORE: Injuries to three top hitters, a change in closer, and 35 of first 58 games on the road haven’t derailed O’s. (6)

6. ATLANTA: Dan Uggla, released Friday, had established Braves’ single-season strikeout record last three years running. (7)

7. ST. LOUIS: Two years ago, Cardinals had five players with 20-plus homers. Only Jhonny Peralta is on pace to do it this year. (10)

8. SEATTLE: All-Star Robinson Cano has streak of five consecutive seasons with 25 home runs; at the break he had seven. (9)

9. WASHINGTON: Anthony Rendon will be an All-Star before he’s an MLB spokesman. He may never be either. (3)

10. SAN FRANCISCO: Tim Hudson’s last five starts: 0-4 record, 6.07 ERA. Before that, 7-2, 1.97. (11)

11. MILWAUKEE: Shortstop Jean Segura rejoins Brewers after death of his 9-month-old son in the Dominican Republic. (8)

12. CINCINNATI: The 90 mph threshold used to mark a lively fastball. That’s the speed of Aroldis Chapman’s changeup. (12)

13. PITTSBURGH: Reliever Tony Watson (6-1, four saves, 1.39 ERA) didn’t allow a hit in 25 of his first 43 appearances. (15)

14. CLEVELAND: Michael Bourn’s surgically repaired left hamstring still slowing him down; has only seven steals. (17)

15. N.Y. YANKEES: Four-fifths of the opening-day starting rotation is on the disabled list; two are out for the season. (16)

16. KANSAS CITY: Manager Ned Yost has a good eye. Royals lead MLB in successful challenges, 17 out of 25. (13)

17. TORONTO: Blue Jays had baseball’s best offense in April and May; scored six runs in recent five-game losing streak vs. Angels and A’s. (14)

18. CHICAGO WHITE SOX: Jose Abreu on pace to match Albert Belle’s club HR record of 49, despite missing 14 games with ankle injury. (18)

19. TAMPA BAY: Outfielder Kevin Kiermaier (.315, eight homers in 48 games) a diamond in a rough season for Rays. (20)

20. N.Y. METS: Manager Collins says Jacob deGrom will stay in rotation even though he’s closing in fast on 175-inning limit. (21)

21. BOSTON: Reigning World Series champs are batting .246 and are last in the AL in runs, slugging percentage and total bases. (24)

22. MIAMI: Dodgers fans will be shocked by this: injuries limited Rafael Furcal to nine games in the first half. (19)

23. MINNESOTA: DL might be safest place for $49-million free agent Ricky Nolasco, who has given up AL-leading 68 runs on 140 hits. (27)

24. PHILADELPHIA: Chase Utley loves playing in Philly. Jonathan Papelbon would rather be with a winner. (23)

25. COLORADO: Spot starters aren’t getting it done. Eight who have made at least one start are a combined 2-23 with a 6.26 ERA. (25)

26. ARIZONA: Diamondbacks fans surely wondering when Tony La Russa will start working his magic. Uh, Tony? Tony? (28)

27. HOUSTON: Jose Altuve has outside shot at Craig Biggio’s club single-season hit record of 210; he has 131 with 65 games left. (29)

28. SAN DIEGO: Padres hit a MLB-record low of .171 in June and entered the All-Star break getting blanked in back-to-back games. (22)

29. CHICAGO CUBS: Club says Kris Bryant — .346, 31 homer, 81 RBIs in 92 games — will stay down on the farm this season. (26)

30. TEXAS: Rangers opened the second half with four catchers on their 25-man active roster. (30)