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The 2024 season is underway. How do the Dodgers who spent over $1 billion this offseason stack up against the other 29 teams? Where do the defending champion Texas Rangers rank? How about the Angels who lost a once-in-a-generation talent this offseason? We break it all down here!
30. Chicago White Sox (0-4)
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This Week: vs. Atlanta, @ Kansas City
The White Sox are an early favorite to finish with the league’s worst record. The AL Central looks to be more competitive than originally anticipated. Chicago’s offense has already been shut out twice, including on Opening Day against the Tigers. Against the Braves, they couldn’t even be bothered to field a first base coach. Luis Robert’s two home runs and four RBIs weren’t enough in a loss. Putting up good numbers in a losing effort is something the Chicago outfielder has grown accustomed to in recent years.
29. Miami Marlins (0-5)
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This Week: vs. Los Angeles Angels, @ St. Louis
How has the season started for Miami? When Jazz Chisholm Jr. is complaining about shadows in a domed stadium, the answer is probably, “Not great.” The Marlins enter Tuesday 0-5. Following a four-game sweep at the hands of Pittsburgh that included two losses in extra-innings, Miami squandered a 4-0 lead on Monday in an eventual 7-4 loss to the Angels. Miami led 5-2 on Opening Day and 5-0 after one inning on Sunday, as well. Ugly start for a team that reached the postseason in 2023.
28. New York Mets (0-4)
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This Week: vs. Detroit, @ Cincinnati
From World Series contenders entering 2023 to a rudderless club entering ’24. The Mets garnered zero excitement in the offseason following last year’s failure, and opening week did nothing to improve morale around the team. Hosting the Brewers, the Mets recorded one hit on Opening Day and proceeded to lose all three games to Milwaukee. On Monday, New York allowed five runs in the top of the 10th inning in a 5-0 loss to Detroit to fall to 0-4. Through four games, New York has been held to one run or fewer three times.
27. Oakland Athletics (1-4)
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This Week: vs. Boston, @ Detroit
The A’s continue to be one of the most strangely run teams in recent memory. Following the series against the Guardians, Oakland sent down starting center fielder Esteury Ruiz. The 25-year-old was 3-for-7 (.429 AVG) with two extra-base hits and a stolen base. Ruiz had his fair share of struggles at the plate last year, but sending down a young player after he got off to a strong start is just bizarre. In their first game after the move, they were shoutout 9-0 in their home opener against the Red Sox.
26. Colorado Rockies (1-4)
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This Week: @ Chicago Cubs, vs. Tampa Bay
The Rockies are a very bad team. Easily the worst team in the National League West, Colorado had a nightmarish Opening Day. Facing Arizona on the road, the Rockies allowed 14 runs in the third inning en route to a 16-1 loss. Through five games, Colorado has been outscored 37-14 and, predictably, is 1-4. The team has been held to one run or less three times and has surrendered at least five runs in all five games. It’s going to be a long year.
25. Washington Nationals (1-3)
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This Week: vs. Pittsburgh, vs. Philadelphia
Following an impressive showing in 2023 (given expectations entering the year), Washington hopes to make strides in ’24. A young team, Washington isn’t expected to compete in the National League East — or for a Wild Card spot — but the continued development of its young talent is the main focus this year. Opening the season in Cincinnati, Washington dropped two-of-three as its starting pitchers combined to allow 14 runs. April could be a tough month overall for the Nats as they face a tough slate to open the year — vs. Pittsburgh, vs. Philadelphia, @ San Francisco, @ Oakland, @ Dodgers, vs. Houston, vs. Dodgers, @ Miami, @ Texas.
24. Los Angeles Angels (2-2)
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This Week: @ Miami, vs. Boston
Tell us if you’ve heard this before: Mike Trout is raking and the Angels are .500. Trout’s entire career has been tied to a mediocre team. It seemed like the Angels were a terrible team after their first two games getting outscored 24-7 by the Orioles. Following a team meeting led by first-year manager Ron Washington, the Angels have won two in a row. Trout added two more homers in the series opener against Miami, one of which traveled 473 feet.
23. Kansas City Royals (1-3)
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This Week: @ Baltimore, vs. Chicago White Sox
Kansas City’s bats finally woke up on Easter Sunday, as the Royals put up an 11-spot versus Minnesota to avoid the sweep. The offense could only generate one run in each of the two prior games. Buried in the offensive explosion was a dominant performance from former top prospect Brady Singer. The 27-year-old righty fanned 10 batters and allowed just three hits over seven innings of work. Ace Cole Ragans was also impressive in his season debut, turning in a quality start (6.0 IP, 2 ER, and 9 K) despite picking up the loss.
22. Cleveland Guardians (3-2)
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This Week: @ Seattle, @ Minnesota
The Guardians were the lucky team that drew the A’s in the first series of the season. Cleveland beat down the bottom-dwellers for the first three games before losing a 4-3 matchup to close the series. Former Cy Young winner Shane Bieber was excellent on Opening Day, throwing six shutout innings and tallying 11 strikeouts. Triston McKenzie was a bit shaker versus the Mariners. The lanky right-hander was chased after just 3.1 IP. After missing nearly all of last season, it will be interesting to see how the Guardians handle McKenzie moving forward.
21. Boston Red Sox (3-2)
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This Week: @ Oakland, @ Los Angeles Angels
Boston’s pitching staff is going to be better than expected. The staff is atop the league with a 1.42 ERA. Both Nick Pivetta and Tanner Houck struck out 10 batters in their first starts. Kutter Crawford lived up to the preseason hype by throwing six shutout innings. Garrett Whitlock seems to be adjusting well in his return as a starter. Brayan Bello was good against the Mariners outside of the two-run HR he ceded. If anybody in the lineup other than Tyler O’Neill (1.376 OPS) could start producing, this team could really kick into gear. Thus far, the offense has been boom-or-bust tallying 58 strikeouts to just six drawn walks.
20. San Francisco Giants (2-3)
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This Week: @ Los Angeles Dodgers, vs. San Diego
A flurry of moves late in the offseason raised expectations for the Giants entering 2024. The additions of Blake Snell, Matt Chapman and Jorge Soler added juice to San Francisco’s roster and has the fanbase dreaming of October. While they await Snell’s debut, the Giants began the season by splitting four games in San Diego. On Monday, the Giants traveled to Los Angeles and were smacked around by the rival Dodgers, 8-3. Logan Webb will take the mound for San Francisco on Tuesday, and Snell is set to debut on April 8 against Washington.
19. San Diego Padres (3-4)
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This Week: vs. St. Louis, @ San Francisco
A popular pick to win the World Series in 2023, the Padres enter ’24 as a relative afterthought in the National League West. The Dodgers are the heavy favorite to win the division, and the reigning NL Pennant winning Diamondbacks as well as the San Francisco Giants are seen as better teams than the Padres. On the diamond, San Diego split a two-game set in Korea with the Dodgers and also split a four-game set at home against the Giants. On Monday, San Diego dropped Game 1 to the Cardinals. Fernando Tatis Jr. appears to be locked-in early with three homers through seven games.
18. St. Louis Cardinals (2-3)
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This Week: @ San Diego, vs. Miami
St. Louis drew a tough assignment opening the season against the Dodgers in Los Angeles. Coming off a horrible year, the Cardinals are hoping for a quick start to regain some confidence. Against the Dodgers, the Cards went 1-3 and struggled against Los Angeles’ starters. Paul Goldschmidt had three hits on Opening Day — and the rest of the lineup failed to produce a hit. In four games, the Cards scored four runs off LA’s starters. A 6-2 win over San Diego on Monday was a nice reprieve. Following the series in San Diego, the Cards will open their home slate with a series against Miami.
17. Chicago Cubs (2-2)
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This Week: vs. Colorado, vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
The Cubs are 2-2 entering Tuesday, but they have not had a good start to the season. On Opening Day, ace Justin Steele injured his left hamstring and was forced to leave the game. Now, the club is saying the All-Star will miss the remainder of April. While Steele’s injury is a bummer, Shota Imanaga’s debut was sensational. The Japanese pitcher was lights out against Colorado in Chicago’s home opener. Over six innings, Imanaga struck out nine batters and surrendered two hits.
16. Detroit Tigers (4-0)
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This Week: @ New York Mets, vs. Oakland
An undefeated Tigers team? In 2024? You aren’t seeing things, this Detroit team has looked great out of the gates. And, they’re doing it in exactly the same manner that many predicted — with excellent pitching. The Tigers have a good staff led by Cy Young contender Tarik Skubal. Skubal gave up just three hits over six shutout innings on Opening Day. If you wash out Kenta Maeda’s rough outing (6 ER in 3.1 IP), the rest of Detroit’s pitching staff has allowed 2 ER in 34.2 IP. Both of those runs were solo homers. The arms will keep Detroit alive in the AL Central throughout the year.
15. Pittsburgh Pirates (5-0)
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This Week: @ Washington, vs. Baltimore
Entering play Tuesday, the Pittsburgh Pirates are undefeated at 5-0 — one-of-four undefeated teams remaining in MLB. The Buccos started their season in South Beach and won all four games against the Marlins, including two extra-inning victories. On Monday, Pittsburgh claimed its fifth victory in a row in Washington. As a team, the Pirates are hitting .302. Michael A. Taylor (.471), Ke’Bryan Hayes (.391), Bryan Reynolds (.333), Connor Joe (.348) and Oneil Cruz (.316) are posing a ton of problems for opposing pitchers.
14. Milwaukee Brewers (3-0)
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This Week: vs. Minnesota, vs. Seattle
Don’t sleep on the Brewers. With Corbin Burnes and Craig Counsell no longer in town and both Devin Williams and Brandon Woodruff injured, rival fans had hoped Milwaukee would plummet in the National League Central. Through one series, however, the Brewers are undefeated and look like a solid group. The Brew Crew went to Queens and swept the Mets. Freddy Peralta was great on Opening Day — 6.0 IP, 1 H, 8 K — and the staff held New York to one run in Game’s 1 and 3. Former MVP Christian Yelich appears to be healthy, as well. In the series, Yelich hit one home run, stole two bases and posted a .455 BA.
13. Philadelphia Phillies (1-3)
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This Week: vs. Cincinnati, @ Washington
The Phillies would much rather defeat Atlanta in the playoffs than during the opening week of the season, but they would prefer to not begin the year 1-3. Hosting the Braves to open the year, the Phillies were outscored 21-7 over the first two games — the bullpen imploded in Game 1 and Aaron Nola was shelled in Game 2. A four-run rally in the finale prevented a sweep, at least. On Monday, the bullpen did its part until Connor Brogdon allowed a grand slam in the 10th inning.
12. Minnesota Twins (2-1)
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This Week: @ Milwaukee, vs. Cleveland
The oft-injured Twins couldn’t even get past Opening Day with a clean bill of health. Former No. 1 draft pick Royce Lewis hobbled out of the game after suffering a quad strain that will sideline him for at least the next month. The injury was sustained mere minutes after Lewis had opened the game with a first-inning HR. Lewis is an immense talent, but hasn’t been able to stay off the shelf — a common theme among Minnesota’s best position players.
11. Toronto Blue Jays (2-3)
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This Week: @ Houston, @ New York Yankees
The Blue Jays ran hot and cold during their opening series versus Tampa. In Toronto’s two wins, they scored eight and nine runs. In their two losses, they scored a total of three runs. Monday saw their offense get no-hit by Houston’s No. 5 starter. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. struck out three times in the loss and hasn’t had an extra-base hit since an Opening Day HR. As a team, the Blue Jays boast a .184 AVG which ranks second-worst.
10. Cincinnati Reds (3-1)
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This Week: @ Philadelphia, vs. New York Mets
Cincinnati is going to be a fun team to watch in 2024. Predicted by many to win the National League Central, the Reds have started the year strong with three wins and one loss entering play Tuesday. To start the year, Cincy took two-of-three from the Nationals at home. On April Fool’s Day, the Reds began a three-game set in Philadelphia with an extra-innings win. In the 10th inning, Spencer Steer hit a grand slam to put the game out of reach. Steer’s homer came one day after Will Benson and Christian Encarnacion-Strand hit back-to-back home runs with two outs in the ninth inning to knock off the Nats.
9. Tampa Bay Rays (2-3)
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This Week: vs. Texas, @ Colorado
Tampa Bay starters have already turned in a couple of rough outings to begin the year. With Shane McClanahan out for the year, Zach Eflin stepped into the role as the No. 1 starter. He was blasted by Toronto on Opening Day, surrendering six runs in 5.2 IP. Former Dodger Ryan Pepiot was brought in via the Tyler Glasnow trade and surrendered six runs to the defending champion Rangers. Tampa Bay’s rotation always seems to figure itself out, but one has to wonder how much year-to-year turnover they can reasonably withstand.
8. Seattle Mariners (3-2)
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This Week: vs. Cleveland, @ Milwaukee
Seattle’s opening series versus Boston was highlighted by a 10-inning battle on Saturday. After both teams got excellent outings from their starters (Seattle’s Logan Gilbert allowed 1 ER over 7.0 IP), it was left to the bullpens in extra innings. And, the Mariners could not have asked for a better guy to come through in the clutch. Franchise cornerstone Julio Rodríguez delivered the game-winning hit in the bottom of the 10th. If Seattle wants to compete for an AL West title, Rodríguez will need to consistently produce in crucial moments just like that.
7. Houston Astros (1-4)
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This Week: vs. Toronto, @ Texas
A shock to the system in Houston. The Astros were unceremoniously swept by the visiting Yankees during the opening series. Houston had a lead in three of the four matchups, but ultimately couldn’t withstand New York’s onslaught. After going 2-for-5 on Opening Day, Yordan Alvarez went 0-for-12 over the final three games of the series. The Astros will not be shaken by a loss like this, but it’s never a great idea to give a rival like the Yankees confidence in the early going. Houston was able to pick up their first win of the season Monday in dramatic fashion as Houston pitcher Romel Blanco threw the 323rd no-hitter in MLB history.
6. Arizona Diamondbacks (3-2)
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This Week: vs. New York Yankees, @ Atlanta
The defending National League champs began their season with a bang. In their home opener against the Colorado Rockies, the Diamondbacks scored an absurd 14 runs in the third inning en route to a 16-1 win. Arizona lost the third game of the series, but otherwise dominated Colorado — outscoring the Rockies 28-5 in its three wins. Arizona lost Game 1 of its series with the Yankees but will look to bounce back with Zac Gallen on the mound Tuesday night. This weekend, the Snakes will travel to Atlanta for a showdown between two of the league’s top teams.
5. Baltimore Orioles (3-1)
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This Week: vs. Kansas City, @ Pittsburgh
The Orioles are as good as advertised. The reigning AL East champions looked dominant over their first two games, hanging up 24 total runs against the Angels. Corbin Burnes gave up a solo shot to Mike Trout but was otherwise excellent in his debut for his new club. Reigning Rookie of the Year Gunnar Henderson went 3-for-4 on Saturday and mashed his first home run of the campaign. The O’s will be a force to be reckoned with all year long.
4. Texas Rangers (3-1)
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This Week: @ Tampa Bay, vs. Houston
The defending champs took care of business, taking two-of-three in a cross-league matchup against the Cubs. Game 1 was sent to extras thanks to a pinch-hit HR from Travis Jankowski. Catcher Jonah Heim delivered the game-winning hit in the bottom of the 10th. Two-time World Series MVP Corey Seager is off to another hot start (.462 AVG), and Adolis Garcia has already belted three homers. Unfortunately, the team will be without Josh Jung for the next several weeks. The infielder underwent surgery after fracturing his wrist late during Monday’s win over the Rays.
3. New York Yankees (5-0)
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This Week: @ Arizona, vs. Toronto
Here come the Yankees. New York started the season in style, sweeping their bitter rival Astros in Minute Maid Park. The star of the series was first-year Yankee Juan Soto who has already endeared himself to the fanbase. Soto made all the big plays against Houston. He threw a runner out at home to preserve a 9th-inning lead in Game 1, hit a go-ahead homer late in Game 2, and the eventual game-winning single in the series finale. Aaron Judge hasn’t even gotten going yet and the Yankees are 5-0. That’s a scary thought for the rest of the American League.
2. Los Angeles Dodgers (5-2)
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This Week: vs. San Francisco, @ Chicago Cubs
Following a trip to Korea to begin the season, a slow start would not have been completely unexpected for the Dodgers. Instead, Los Angeles has won four-of-five since returning to the States and has looked just as scary as predicted. Mookie Betts is off to a torrid start — .520 BA and four HR — and Teoscar Hernandez has launched four HR of his own. On the mound, the starting pitching staff has surrendered four runs over the last five games.
1. Atlanta Braves (3-1)
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This Week: @ Chicago White Sox, vs. Arizona
So far, so good for the Braves. Atlanta began its season where it saw last year’s dream end — Philadelphia. The team’s stacked lineup made its presence known immediately by scoring 21 runs over the first two games of the series. A 5-4 loss in the finale prevented a sweep, but the Braves surely feel good about their start. Then, Atlanta traveled to Chicago and blanked the lowly White Sox, 9-0, in a rain-shortened game.
