2024 MLB Power Rankings: Who deserves No. 1 spot as Dodgers tumble?

Major League Baseball

Updated Apr. 22, 2024 12:30 p.m. ET

We’ve got change at the top for a second straight week!

The Dodgers’ reign was short-lived, as they lost a third consecutive series — all at home — upon claiming No. 1 on this list just last week. So, who passed them? Well, a few teams did, as there was plenty of movement in the power rankings, with World Series odds via FanDuel Sportsbook.

Here are my top 10 clubs in baseball right now.

10.Kansas City Royals (13-9, last week 10)

World series odds: +8000

Prior to losing their past two games to the Orioles, the Royals won 11 of 14. They beat up on teams they should beat over that stretch, winning six of seven against the Chicago White Sox and sweeping the Houston Astros. Salvador Pérez has turned back the clock a few years, as he’s hitting .333/.395/.590 with six homers. Bobby Witt Jr. is doing his thing, as well (.300/.351/.578 and four homers). Meanwhile, Seth Lugo and Brady Singer have been terrific, with the former still holding a 2.03 ERA even after his worst start of the season on Sunday, and the latter owning a 1.54 ERA.

9. New York Mets (12-9, LW unranked)

World series odds: +5000

Who would’ve thought we’d be talking about the scrappy Steve Cohen Mets? That’s what they’ve been through this point in the season, taking two of three from the Dodgers after sweeping the Pittsburgh Pirates. Not everything was pleasant this past weekend, as they lost 10-0 to the Dodgers on Sunday upon learning promising catcher Francisco Álvarez needs thumb surgery and will be sidelined at least 6-8 weeks. But they’ve gotten some clutch hitting throughout their lineup in the past week to pick up comeback wins. Luis Severino has been a pleasant surprise for them in the rotation after signing a one-year deal (2-1, 2.14 ERA).

8.Chicago Cubs (13-9, LW 9)

World series odds: +3500

Splitting a four-game set against the Miami Marlins isn’t the best look. However, it came on the heels of a West Coast trip where the Cubs went 5-4 against some impressive squads (Arizona Diamondbacks, San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners). Shōta Imanaga finally allowed the first earned runs of his MLB career yet shoved in the process to earn another win. Fellow rookie Michael Busch has also maintained his surprise start at the plate (.309/.385/.618).

7. Milwaukee Brewers (14-6, LW 5)

World series odds: +5000

The Brew Crew hit a little adversity early last week, losing three in a row and placing Christian Yelich on the 10-day injured list due to a back strain. They responded, though, sweeping the Cardinals in St. Louis. William Contreras has been one of the best hitters in the National League through the early part of the season (.354/.426/.561 and four homers), while Freddy Peralta (2-0, 1.90 ERA) and Colin Rea (2-0, 2.08 ERA) have continued to be money on the mound. Neither allowed a run to the Cardinals over the weekend.

6. Cleveland Guardians (16-6, LW 7)

World series odds: +3500

The Guardians hold the best record in baseball despite losing Shane Bieber for the season and getting less-than-stellar production from José Ramírez. Credit Steven Kwan (.358/.378/.474 and two homers) and Josh Naylor (.325/.393/623 and six homers) for picking up the slack. It also helps that Cleveland faced the Oakland Athletics over the weekend. But you can’t control the teams on your schedule!

5. Los Angeles Dodgers (13-11, LW 1)

World series odds: +320

It wasn’t a great week for the Dodgers, who had lost seven of nine before drubbing the Mets 10-0 Sunday. Their rotation hasn’t been great outside of Tyler Glasnow, with Yoshinobu Yamamoto and James Paxton mixing in starts both good and bad. Freddie Freeman has been underwhelming by his standards (.287/.406/.391 with one homer), although April is historically his worst month. Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts have continued to kill at the plate.

4. Philadelphia Phillies (14-8, LW UR)

World series odds: +1400

The Phillies are back in my top 10 after winning six straight. It didn’t come against the best competition, as they swept the Colorado Rockies and White Sox. Trea Turner, however, again looks like the player who earned a $300 million deal (.348/.402/.506), and Philadelphia’s rotation has been terrific from top to bottom. All of their starters have a sub-3.20 ERA.

3. New York Yankees (15-7, LW 2)

World series odds: +700

I have the Yankees falling one spot after splitting six games against a pair of division rivals (although that might be an optimal result for any team in the AL East). Aaron Judge‘s slump has continued, as he heard the boo birds on Saturday during a four-strikeout performance. Juan Soto continues to make my preseason MVP prediction look smart, hitting three homers in the past four games to go with his .337 batting average and 1.035 OPS on the season.

2. Baltimore Orioles (14-7, LW 4)

World series odds: +1100

Jackson Holliday’s MLB career hasn’t gotten off to the best start (1-for-30 at the plate). But it hasn’t mattered one iota for the Orioles, who have won six of seven. Seemingly everyone else in their lineup has been killing it at the plate, from Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman to Jordan Westburg and Colton Cowser. When you add Corbin Burnes and Grayson Rodriguez mauling down opposing hitters on the mound, it really feels like this team is unstoppable at times.

1. Atlanta Braves (14-6, LW 3)

World series odds: +480

The Braves are back at No. 1 after reeling off a six-game winning streak in the wake of the Spencer Strider news. There are still some questions about their starting pitching, but Reynaldo López hasn’t allowed a run in his past two starts. Atlanta’s lineup is dominant again, with Marcell Ozuna leading the majors in home runs (9) and RBIs (27), slugging (.713) and OPS (1.117). Oh, and he’s batting .338.

Out: Pittsburgh Pirates (LW 6, WS odds: +15000), Cincinnati Reds (LW 8, WS odds: +7000)

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.

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