MLB Power Rankings: Where All 30 Teams Stand After 2024 Opening Weekend

This is my 13th year authoring our weekly MLB power rankings here at Bleacher Report, and deciding how to handle the first update of the season following the opening weekend of games is always a struggle.

I've tried a variety of different approaches over the years, from wiping the slate clean and basing the rankings solely on the season's first few games to limiting how far teams can rise or fall to a certain number of spots. In the end, it's unreasonable to completely eliminate preseason expectations from the equation based on a sample size that amounts to less than 2 percent of the schedule, so projection still plays a significant role.

If your favorite team is not as high as you'd like it to be, take a deep breath, relax and remember that none of this matters. It's just meant to be a fun weekly discussion on where things stand across Major League Baseball.

These rankings will be updated every Monday morning for the next six months. If a team is winning, it will inevitably climb; if a team is losing, it will inevitably slide.

After a few weeks, the line between contenders and non-contenders will start to take shape. For now, just sit back and enjoy the chaos.

30. Chicago White Sox (0-3)

Last Week: 0-3 vs. DET

The only real bright spot to come out of opening weekend for the White Sox was a terrific start from Garrett Crochet (6.0 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 8 K) on Opening Day as he makes the move from relieving to starting. Luis Robert Jr. slugged a pair of home runs on the offensive side of things, but teams could quickly start pitching around him if no one else steps up.

29. Oakland Athletics (1-3)

Last Week: 1-3 vs. CLE

The Athletics walked it off on Sunday on a bases-loaded walk by Abraham Toro, avoiding a four-game sweep at the hands of the Cleveland Guardians in the process. They averaged 6,726 fans over the course of the series, and that number is only going to drop as the excitement of a new season wears off. Tip of the cap to Paul Blackburn (7.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER) on a strong Opening Day start.

28. Colorado Rockies (1-3)

Last Week: 1-3 @ ARI

Over four games against the D-backs, the Rockies starting pitchers allowed 30 hits and 22 earned runs over 17 innings, and that will likely be a recurring theme all season. Center fielder Brenton Doyle went 4-for-13 with a home run in the series, and if he can take a step forward offensively to go along with his elite defense, he could be a budding star.

27. Washington Nationals (1-2)

Last Week: 1-2 @ CIN

The Nationals got some promising early returns from bargain signings Jesse Winker (5-for-11, 2B, RBI), Eddie Rosario (3-for-11, 2B, HR, 3 RBI) and Dylan Floro (2 G, 1 HLD, 2.0 IP, 0 ER) as they continue to hunt for value in the midst of rebuilding. They were three outs away from winning their series against the Reds before closer Kyle Finnegan allowed three runs in the ninth on Sunday.

26. Miami Marlins (0-4)

Last Week: 0-4 vs. PIT

The Marlins were only swept at home in a series of three or more games once all year last year while going 46-35 at LoanDepot Park, but they kicked off 2024 by getting swept by the Pirates in a four-game series at home. Losing in extra innings on Thursday and Sunday made the rocky start that much more demoralizing, and they'll welcome the Angels to town on Monday.

25. Los Angeles Angels (1-2)

Last Week: 1-2 @ BAL

An Opening Day home run from Mike Trout and a strong start from Reid Detmers (1 GS, W, 5.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 7 K) on Sunday provided some glimpses of excitement, but the Angels could be in for another long season. The pitching staff allowed 25 runs in three games against the Orioles, and the new-look bullpen struggled mightily.

24. Kansas City Royals (1-2)

Last Week: 1-2 vs. MIN

Shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (6-for-11, 3 2B, 3B, HR, RBI) picked up right where he left off last season as he continues his rise to superstardom, while Cole Ragans (6.0 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 8 K) and Seth Lugo (6.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 4 K) both turned in quality starts on the mound. The end result was a series loss to the Twins, but this Royals team has the potential to surprise some people this year.

23. New York Mets (0-3)

Last Week: 0-3 vs. MIL

The Mets managed just one run on Friday and Sunday, and when the offense was clicking on Saturday, it was offset by an ugly debut from Luis Severino (5.0 IP, 12 H, 6 ER). Are the Brewers that good or are the Mets that bad? That was the overarching takeaway from their season-opening sweep.

22. St. Louis Cardinals (1-3)

Last Week: 1-3 @ LAD

The Cardinals drew the unenviable task of opening their season against the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium, and the pitching staff served up 39 hits and 23 runs during the four-game series. Despite those crooked numbers, they did get solid starts from Lance Lynn (4.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 5 K before rain delay) and Steven Matz (5.1 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 3 K), which is a positive sign after the way their rotation struggled in 2023.

21. Chicago Cubs (1-2)

Last Week: 1-2 @ TEX

A four-hit game from Ian Happ and a strong performance by the bullpen in relief of rookie Jordan Wicks helped the Cubs avoid getting swept by the Rangers with a 9-5 victory on Sunday. Losing ace Justin Steele for at least the next month with a hamstring injury is a major blow, especially with Jameson Taillon already on the injured list. Their starting pitching depth will be put to the test early.

20. San Diego Padres (3-3)

Last Week: 2-2 vs. SF

The Padres are clearly still sorting out roles on the pitching staff, and the bullpen has struggled to a 7.62 ERA with a pair of blown saves in 28.1 innings of work, so escaping their series against the Giants with a split feels like a success. Keep an eye on catcher Luis Campusano (9-for-23, 2 2B, HR, 6 RBI) as a potential breakout star offensively.

19. San Francisco Giants (2-2)

Last Week: 2-2 @ SD

Michael Conforto (6-for-15, 2 2B, 2 HR, 5 RBI) and Matt Chapman (5-for-18, 2B, 2 HR, 6 RBI) provided the Giants with some welcome middle-of-the-order thump in their four-game split with the Padres. On the mound, Jordan Hicks (1 GS, 5.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 6 K) got off to a great start in his reliever-turned-starter experiment.

18. Boston Red Sox (2-2)

Last Week: 2-2 @ SEA

The Red Sox got a 1.64 ERA and a fantastic 27-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 22 innings of work from the starting rotation in their four-game split with the Mariners, so all things considered it was an extremely positive start to the year. Newcomer Tyler O'Neill (4-for-10, 2 HR) is also off to a nice start at the plate.

17. Cleveland Guardians (3-1)

Last Week: 3-1 @ OAK

After a down year in 2023 that saw his stuff regress across the board, Shane Bieber (6.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 11 K) looked a lot more like his ace self on Opening Day. The Guardians' lineup hit .290 with an .831 OPS in four games against the Oakland pitching staff. Will that level of production continue against better pitching?

16. Detroit Tigers (3-0)

Last Week: 3-0 @ CWS

Tarik Skubal (6.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 6 K) looks like a bona fide ace, Jack Flaherty (6.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 7 K) had a terrific first start in a Tigers uniform, and Detroit plated 11 runs in three games after ranking among the worst offenses in baseball a year ago. Don't sleep on this team as a potential dark-horse wild-card contender.

15. Cincinnati Reds (2-1)

Last Week: 2-1 vs. WAS

Back-to-back home runs from Will Benson and Christian Encarnacion-Strand with two outs in the ninth inning on Sunday gave the Reds a 6-5 victory over the Nationals and a series win to start the year. Veteran Frankie Montas (6.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 4 K) showed why he got the Opening Day start with a stellar debut, but the pitching staff as a whole still has a lot to prove.

14. Houston Astros (0-4)

Last Week: 0-4 vs. NYY

How far do the Astros drop after getting swept in a four-game series at home to start the year? While a banged-up starting rotation actually threw the ball well, the bullpen struggled to a 6.89 ERA over 15.2 innings with four losses and three blown saves. Slotting them in the middle of the pack for now seems fair.

13. Pittsburgh Pirates (4-0)

Last Week: 4-0 @ MIA

The Pirates went 20-8 to start the 2023 season, so this group is no stranger to hot starts, but this time around they might actually have some staying power. They outscored the Marlins by 14 runs across four games while piling up 31 runs offensively, and they were one of the biggest risers in this first version of our weekly power rankings.

12. Philadelphia Phillies (1-2)

Last Week: 1-2 vs. ATL

The Phillies went just 5-8 against the Braves during the regular season last year before sending them packing in four games in the NLDS. It's advantage Atlanta in the first matchup of 2024, but it's a long season. Zack Wheeler (6.0 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 5 K) and Aaron Nola (4.1 IP, 12 H, 7 ER, 3 K) had very different outings in their first starts since signing nine-figure deals in the offseason.

11. Toronto Blue Jays (2-2)

Last Week: 2-2 @ TB

The Blue Jays hit six home runs and plated 20 total runs in their four-game series against the Rays, but their bats were silenced on Friday and Saturday by Tampa Bay starters Aaron Civale and Zack Littell. Veteran Justin Turner went 4-for-14 with two doubles, one home run and four RBI in his first series in a Blue Jays uniform.

10. Seattle Mariners (2-2)

Last Week: 2-2 vs. BOS

The Mariners hit just .178 as a team in their four-game series against the Red Sox, yet they still managed to come away with two wins. Right-hander George Kirby (6.2 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 8 K) threw a gem in a 1-0 victory on Friday, and he could be a legitimate AL Cy Young candidate in his third MLB season.

9. Tampa Bay Rays (2-2)

Last Week: 2-2 vs. TOR

After ace Zach Eflin (5.2 IP, 6 H, 6 ER) turned in a dud on Opening Day, the Rays righted the ship behind strong starts from Aaron Civale (6.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER) and Zack Littell (6.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER) and ended up splitting their four-game series with the Blue Jays. Outfielder Randy Arozarena went 5-for-14 with two home runs and two steals to get a quick start in his pursuit of a fourth straight 20/20 season.

8. Minnesota Twins (2-1)

Last Week: 2-1 @ KC

The Twins allowed just two runs and 10 hits over the first two games of their series with the Royals before suffering an 11-0 loss on Sunday behind an ugly start from Bailey Ober (1.1 IP, 9 H, 8 ER), but taking two of three is still a fine way to start the year. The fact that oft-injured Royce Lewis didn't even make it one full game before landing on the injured list with a quad strain is less than ideal.

7. Milwaukee Brewers (3-0)

Last Week: 3-0 @ NYM

The Brewers raised their stock as much as any team during the season's opening weekend, and plays like Rhys Hoskins' hard slide into Jeff McNeil on Opening Day are the type of thing that can galvanize a clubhouse early in the year. One of the biggest questions going into the year was the starting rotation behind Freddy Peralta, so strong starts from Colin Rea (5.0 IP, 5 H, 1 ER) and DL Hall (4.0 IP, 6 H, 2 ER) were a great sign. Prized rookie Jackson Chourio (5-for-12, 2B, 2 RBI, SB) looks right at home in the big leagues.

6. Arizona Diamondbacks (3-1)

Last Week: 3-1 vs. COL

The D-backs racked up 45 hits and 32 runs against the Colorado Rockies pitching staff. Those numbers have to be taken with a grain of salt considering their opponent, but it's still a great way to start their NL pennant defense. Zac Gallen (5.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER), Merrill Kelly (6.2 IP, 3 H, 1 ER) and Brandon Pfaadt (5.0 IP, 5 H, 1 ER) were all lights out on the mound, and the rotation will only get better once Eduardo Rodríguez returns from a lat strain.

5. Texas Rangers (2-1)

Last Week: 2-1 vs. CHC

The Rangers are going to have to piece some things together in the starting rotation while Max Scherzer, Jacob deGrom and Tyler Mahle get healthy, so a strong start from Cody Bradford (5.0 IP, 3 H, 2 ER) on Saturday was arguably the biggest takeaway from the opening weekend. Rookie Wyatt Langford (4-for-12, 3B, 3 RBI) is going to be really, really good.

4. Baltimore Orioles (2-1)

Last Week: 2-1 vs. LAA

The one-two punch of Corbin Burnes (6.0 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 11 K) and Grayson Rodriguez (6.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 9 K) has a chance to be as good as any duo in baseball this year, and 10 different players had multiple hits during the Orioles' season-opening series against the Angels. This team is not going anywhere.

For those of you wondering, Jackson Holliday is 5-for-14 with two doubles, one home run and five RBI in his first three games at Triple-A. He is also going to be really, really good.

3. New York Yankees (4-0)

Last Week: 4-0 @ HOU

The Yankees are the "Team of the Week" thanks to their four-game sweep of the Houston Astros, but they still have some work to do before they join the two teams ranked ahead of them in baseball's top tier of contenders. The bullpen looked great, Marcus Stroman threw six strong innings in his Yankees debut, and Juan Soto (9-for-17, 2B, HR, 4 RBI) is going to do some big things this year in pinstripes. A similarly dominant showing this week and they'll be in the mix for that No. 1 spot.

2. Atlanta Braves (2-1)

Last Week: 2-1 @ PHI

The Braves hit .339 with a .961 OPS as a team in their three games against the Phillies, and a strong debut from Chris Sale (5.1 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 7 K) on Sunday should fuel optimism that he can be a game-changing addition to Atlanta's starting rotation. On the other hand, Max Fried (0.2 IP, 2 H, 3 BB, 3 ER) had what can best be described as a forgettable 2024 debut.

1. Los Angeles Dodgers (4-2)

Last Week: 3-1 vs. STL

The Dodgers may have two losses, but they have looked every bit the part of a team that is going to steamroll the competition as the season unfolds. They came from behind to beat the Cardinals on Sunday Night Baseball with Max Muncy delivering the decisive blow in the eighth inning. Mookie Betts (11-for-22, 2 2B, 4 HR, 10 RBI) has sprinted out to an early lead in the way-too-early NL MVP conversation, while Bobby Miller (6.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 11 K) is a guy to watch in the NL Cy Young race.

The roster is absolutely loaded and they're not even at full strength.

Complete Rankings

1. Los Angeles Dodgers
2. Atlanta Braves
3. New York Yankees
4. Baltimore Orioles
5. Texas Rangers
6. Arizona Diamondbacks
7. Milwaukee Brewers
8. Minnesota Twins
9. Tampa Bay Rays
10. Seattle Mariners
11. Toronto Blue Jays
12. Philadelphia Phillies
13. Pittsburgh Pirates
14. Houston Astros
15. Cincinnati Reds
16. Detroit Tigers
17. Cleveland Guardians
18. Boston Red Sox
19. San Francisco Giants
20. San Diego Padres
21. Chicago Cubs
22. St. Louis Cardinals
23. New York Mets
24. Kansas City Royals
25. Los Angeles Angels
26. Miami Marlins
27. Washington Nationals
28. Colorado Rockies
29. Oakland Athletics
30. Chicago White Sox

Hitter of the Week: Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Arizona Diamondbacks

Stats: 8-for-17, 2 2B, 3 HR, 10 RBI, 6 R, 1 SB

The D-backs re-signed Gurriel to a three-year, $42 million deal after he earned his first career All-Star selection last year while helping the team reach the World Series with a 24-homer, 82-RBI, 3.0-WAR season. The 30-year-old feasted on the Colorado Rockies pitching staff in four games to kick off the 2024 campaign.

Pitcher of the Week: Corbin Burnes, Baltimore Orioles

Stats: 1 GS, 6.0 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 11 K

Aside from a first-inning home run by Mike Trout, Burnes was virtually untouchable in his Orioles debut against the Los Angeles Angels. The 29-year-old struck out 11 of the 19 batters he faced and generated a 75 percent whiff rate with his slider, looking very much like a guy who could be the most impactful addition of the offseason.

Rookie of the Week: Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Los Angeles Dodgers

Stats: 1 GS, 5.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K

After getting tagged for five earned runs in his lone innings of work against the San Diego Padres in the Seoul Series, Yamamoto looked much sharper in his stateside debut against the St. Louis Cardinals. He still has a long way to go to live up to that 12-year, $325 million contract, but he took a big step toward erasing a bad first impression.