2024 MLB Power Rankings: Dodgers over Yankees after convincing series win?
Does it feel like there are fewer good teams in Major League Baseball this year?
If it does, that’s not just you.
As of Monday morning, there are just 10 teams above .500. At this point last year, there were 14 above .500. And at the end of last season, there were 17.
In other words, yes, this MLB season seems especially light on heavyweights.
So, without further ado, here are the top 10 teams right now, with odds from FanDuel Sportsbook!
10. Minnesota Twins (34-31, last week 8)
World Series odds: +2500
The Twins slipped a bit this week in my rankings after treading water. But some new, lake-inspired threads (look good, play good?) and an upcoming series against the struggling Colorado Rockies could provide a needed jolt as Minnesota looks to keep pace in a shockingly competitive American League Central.
9. Atlanta Braves (35-28, LW 9)
World Series odds: +850
How much will the Braves lean on their farm system in the wake of their injuries and struggles? Hurston Waldrep struggled in his MLB debut Sunday, less than a year after he was Atlanta’s first-round pick in the 2023 MLB Draft. General manager Alex Anthopoulos has already shown he can retool on the fly after devastating injuries, as he did in the team’s 2021 World Series championship season, but now the pressure is on him again roughly six weeks before the trade deadline.
8. Seattle Mariners(37-30, LW unranked)
World Series odds: +1600
Seattle makes it back into my rankings this week despite dropping two of three to Kansas City over the weekend, including blowing a seven-run lead in Friday’s 10-9 loss. It was a rare misstep for one of the best pitching staffs in baseball.
7.Kansas City Royals (37-27, LW 6)
World Series odds: +4000
Speaking of the Royals, they continued to show that they can be dangerous during that thrilling series with the Mariners. But the true measuring stick begins when the Yankees come to Kaufman Stadium for a three-game series starting Monday.
6. Milwaukee Brewers (38-27, LW 8)
World Series odds: +3000
Not only have the Brewers continued to exceed expectations despite trading Corbin Burnes to the Orioles last offseason, they have done so in many ways as a direct result of the Burnes trade. Second baseman Brice Turang and third baseman Joey Ortiz, both acquired from Baltimore in the deal, have been huge factors in the Brewers’ surprising stranglehold over the NL Central.
5. Cleveland Guardians (42-22, LW 4)
World Series odds: +2500
The Guardians held serve against an easy schedule last week, taking two of three from both the Washington Nationals and Miami Marlins and splitting a two-game set with the Royals. But they drop a spot this week mainly due to who they swapped places with.
4. Los Angeles Dodgers(41-26, LW 5)
World Series odds: +250
The Dodgers rebounded from a rough series in Pittsburgh by taking two of three from the Yankees in New York. Though Juan Soto was sidelined with a forearm injury, the Dodgers still did enough against MLB’s wins leader to prove they belong in that elite tier. Pretty scary stuff from a club that has yet to play up to expectations.
3. Baltimore Orioles(42-22, LW 3)
World Series odds: +1200
Adley Rutschman hit a grand slam and Gunnar Henderson continued to rake — he would likely be an MVP front-runner if not for the Yankees’ superstar duo of Soto and Aaron Judge — as Baltimore overwhelmed Tampa Bay over the weekend. While the Orioles could probably stand to upgrade their outfield a bit, their loaded farm system has more than enough pieces to accomplish that before the trade deadline. Don’t sleep on the Birds.
2. Philadelphia Phillies (45-20, LW 2)
World Series odds: +600
How cool is Bryce Harper? Not only does he embrace being the face of the franchise and a Philadelphia sports icon, he made clear this weekend in London that he also embraces being a baseball superstar on a global level. Philly’s sweep of Milwaukee early last week was also especially impressive.
1. New York Yankees(46-21, LW 1)
World Series odds: +450
It’s hard to imagine the Yankees’ extra-inning loss to the Dodgers on Friday being scoreless after nine innings if Soto was healthy. Fortunately, New York dodged a bullet when his MRI came back only showing inflammation instead of a more serious elbow-related issue. Meanwhile, shout-out to Trent Grisham for his response to the Yankee Stadium crowd chanting Soto’s name with a game-changing three-run home run that prevented New York from being swept.
[2024 MLB MVP odds: Aaron Judge, Juan Soto atop for AL leaderboard]
Out: San Diego Padres (10; WS odds: +4000)
Ben Verlander is an MLB Analyst for FOX Sports and the host of the “Flippin’ Bats” podcast. Born and raised in Richmond, Virginia, Verlander was an All-American at Old Dominion University before he joined his brother, Justin, in Detroit as a 14th-round pick of the Tigers in 2013. He spent five years in the Tigers organization. Follow him at @BenVerlander.
[Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily.]
2024 MLB City Connect uniforms: Twins’ ‘Ripple Effect’ jerseys honor Minnesota’s lakes
2024 MLB player poll names Shohei Ohtani best in baseball; Who’s most overrated?
How Teoscar Hernández emerged as an unsung hero of the Dodgers’ offense
2024 MLB MVP odds: Aaron Judge new lone favorite in AL MVP race
MLB players on London Series: ‘Make it more of an event’
Aaron Judge making MLB history since early May: By the numbers
Get more from Major League BaseballFollow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
