Four weeks into the season, the Guardians hold the best record in baseball — while teams like the Astros, Marlins and Diamondbacks are off to surprisingly poor starts. Let’s see how all 30 teams stack up.
30. Chicago White Sox (3-19)
This Week: @ Minnesota, vs. Tampa Bay
On Monday night, the Chicago White Sox were shut out for the eighth time in 22 games. Is that good? Chicago has quickly gone from a contender in the American League to the league’s worst team. Overall, Chicago has a .188/.264/.288 slash line and .552 OPS. Two of Chicago’s three wins this season have come by one run, and the third victory was by two runs. This team is horrible.
29. Colorado Rockies (5-18)
This Week: vs. San Diego, vs. Houston
If it weren’t for the White Sox, the Rockies would be getting a lot more attention for their poor play. At 5-18, Colorado finds itself at the bottom of the National League table and its -57 run differential is only topped by the aforementioned White Sox. Remarkably, the Rockies haven’t been able to hit the ball at Coors Field. Including Monday’s 3-1 loss to the Padres, Colorado has gone five games in a row at Coors scoring three runs or fewer. Additionally, the Rox have failed to hit a homer in their last three home games.
28. Miami Marlins (6-18)
This Week: @ Atlanta, vs. Washington
Two teams in the National League have fewer than 10 wins — the Rockies and Marlins. Miami has turned things around a bit following its horrific start. A playoff team last year, the Marlins began 2024 with nine losses in a row and were 2-12 just 11 days ago. Last weekend, Miami completed its first series of the season that didn’t end with a losing record. The Marlins split a four-game set at Wrigley to bring some optimism to the fan base. However, a 3-0 loss Monday to Atlanta was a bad way to start the new week.
27. Houston Astros (7-16)
This Week: @ Chicago Cubs, vs. Colorado
The Houston Astros have the second-worst record in the American League. It is still very early, but nobody saw this coming. Houston has won two series all season, topping the Blue Jays and Rangers, respectively. Last week, the ‘Stros went 1-5 overall — with their only win coming in Justin Verlander’s first start of the season. The perennial contenders were swept at home by the Braves and dropped two-of-three in Washington. While Houston’s lineup is living up to the hype, its pitching staff is failing to strike out batters and the infield defense has been below-average.
26. Oakland Athletics (9-14)
This Week: @ New York Yankees, @ Baltimore
If you told the Athletics that they would be ahead of Houston 23 games into the season, they may have popped champagne on the spot. Currently tied with the Angels and only 3.0 GB of Texas in the American League West, Oakland is 8-7 over its last 15. With that being said, last week was not good for the club. The A’s lost two-of-three at home to the Cardinals — by a combined three runs — and were swept by the red-hot Guardians in Cleveland. On Monday, however, Oakland began the week with a 3-0 win in the Bronx. Oakland will play three more games against the Yankees before heading to Baltimore for the weekend.
25. St. Louis Cardinals (10-13)
This Week: vs. Arizona, @ New York Mets
Entering play Tuesday, the Cardinals are the only team in the National League Central with a losing record. At 10-13, St. Louis trails Milwaukee by five games — a deficit that was only three games heading into last weekend. The Cardinals began their week by winning two-of-three in Oakland, but they then arrived back home and were promptly swept by the Brewers. In five of the six games, the Cards scored three runs or less. If the club wants to contend for the Central crown, the lineup needs to wake up. The team is hitting .220 overall and Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado have combined to hit three home runs.
24. Minnesota Twins (8-13)
This Week: vs. Chicago White Sox, @ Los Angeles Angels
The Twins have their lineup to blame for being 8-13. Overall, Minnesota is batting .201 with an embarrassing .339 SLG. Only two players — Edouard Julien and Ryan Jeffers — have hit more than one home run. With Carlos Correa, Max Kepler and Royce Lewis on the injured list, Minnesota is in dire need of help. A sweep in Baltimore last week was a sign of where Minnesota currently stands compared to the best teams in the American League, and the club lost ground in the division by going 1-2 against the Tigers over the weekend.
23. Los Angeles Angels (9-14)
This Week: vs. Baltimore, vs. Minnesota
So far, the 2024 season looks rather familiar to fans of the Angels. Mike Trout is back to crushing baseballs — he has eight homers — but he hasn’t had much help throughout the lineup other than Taylor Ward. Ward has been great (6 HR, 21 RBI), but no other Angel has more than two HR or seven RBI. Trout himself only has 11 RBI despite launching eight homers. Oh, and Anthony Rendon is back on the IL with a hamstring injury. The Angels have time to find some reinforcements, but it is hard to trust the front office to do so.
22. San Francisco Giants (11-13)
This Week: vs. New York Mets, vs. Pittsburgh
San Francisco is not off to the start it wanted but all is not lost. At 11-13, the Giants sit just 2.0 GB of the Dodgers in the National League West. Last week, San Francisco went 2-1 in Miami and split a four-game set with the rival Diamondbacks. So far, it is easy to see where the Giants have fallen short. The bullpen has the second-worst ERA in baseball — and it is due to its effectiveness when inheriting runners. Through 24 games, the Giants’ pen has allowed 54-percent of inherited runners to score — easily the worst mark in MLB. If the pen can get its act together in that regard, the Giants will start winning a lot more games.
21. Pittsburgh Pirates (12-11)
This Week: vs. Milwaukee, @ San Francisco
2024 is starting to feel a lot like 2023 for Pirates fans. However, this year’s return to mediocrity has happened a lot sooner than last year’s fall back to the pack. Pittsburgh began the season 9-2 and was playing some good ball. However, the Buccos have gone 3-9 since their hot start and find themselves behind the Brewers, Cubs and Reds in the NL Central. A big reason for Pittsburgh’s recent slide is its bullpen. Led by struggling All-Star closer David Bednar, the Pirates have blown seven saves. Even if the pen converted just four of those opportunities, the Pirates would be a first-place club.
20. Arizona Diamondbacks (11-13)
This Week: @ St. Louis, @ Seattle
A week after winning both of its series, the Diamondbacks went 3-4. First, Arizona dropped two-of-three to the Cubs — splitting a pair of extra-inning games that could have swung the series. Then, the Snakes traveled to the Bay Area and split a four-game set with the Giants. The Diamondbacks have lost three extra-inning games thus far and are far better than their record would suggest. Ketel Marte has been unbelievable — .330/.378/.557 with five HR — as has Lourdes Gurriel Jr., but Corbin Carroll continues to struggle mightily. It’s early but the second-year star needs to find his footing in order for Arizona to reach its potential.
19. Washington Nationals (10-11)
This Week: vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, @ Miami
Last week was massive for the Nationals. The young club entered the season with mild expectations, but they might be dreaming of bigger things following last week’s performance. To start their week, the Nationals traveled to Los Angeles and promptly took two-of-three from the Dodgers. Then, the Nats returned home and went 2-1 against the Astros. While neither team has hit its stride, Washington should feel great about going 4-2 versus the two juggernaut franchises. Meanwhile, shortstop C.J. Abrams is playing like an absolute star. The former prized prospect has hit six HR and currently boasts a .676 SLG.
18. Seattle Mariners (11-11)
This Week: @ Texas, vs. Arizona
Following a poor start to 2024, the Mariners are 7-3 over their last 10 games. Last week was easily Seattle’s best stretch of the season so far. In a sweep against the visiting Reds, Seattle’s pitching staff and lineup both showed up. The staff held Cincinnati to five runs through three games, while the lineup produced 17 runs. Both groups stayed hot over the weekend, as well. Playing at Coors Field, Seattle’s staff held Colorado to three runs and the offense plated 18 runs — including one run in the only loss of the week.
17. Detroit Tigers (13-10)
This Week: @ Tampa Bay, vs. Kansas City
Currently tied with the Kansas City Royals for second place in the American League Central, the Tigers have been buoyed by some excellent pitching. Entering Tuesday, Detroit’s pitching staff leads the Majors in batting average against (.208) and is second in ERA (2.94) and WHIP (1.11). The bullpen has been stellar with eight pitchers sporting an ERA below 2.10. Now, Detroit just needs its lineup to come close to matching the production of its pitchers.
16. San Diego Padres (13-12)
This Week: @ Colorado, vs. Philadelphia
The Padres appear to be a more cohesive unit compared to last year’s squad that massively underachieved. While their record isn’t stellar, the Padres are playing competitive baseball and appear to be a team that will remain in the mix all season. Last week, San Diego impressively won two-of-three in Milwaukee from the Central-leading Brewers. Over the weekend, however, Toronto came to town and handed the Dads two losses. Xander Bogaerts is off to a bad start at the plate, but the rest of the lineup has been solid. If Bogaerts can find himself at the dish, San Diego’s offense will take off.
15. Texas Rangers (12-11)
This Week: vs. Seattle, vs. Cincinnati
The defending champions haven’t hit their stride just yet. Following a 6-2 start to the season, the Rangers are 6-9 over their last 15 games. They wrapped up a 10-game road trip with a 5-5 mark — winning three-of-four in Detroit before dropping two-of-three to the Braves over the weekend. Marcus Semien and Adolis Garcia are off to strong starts, but Corey Seager is still searching for his power stroke. Last year’s World Series MVP has hit just one homer and is slugging .333.
14. Tampa Bay Rays (12-12)
This Week: vs. Detroit, @ Chicago White Sox
At 12-12, the Tampa Bay Rays find themselves at the bottom of the American League East. Last week was a tough one for the perennial contenders. Tampa split a four-game set in Anaheim against the Angels — a series that included three one-run games and a 13-inning affair — and then flew across the country to play the Yankees. In the Bronx, the Rays went 1-2 and played yet another extra-inning game. On Monday, Tampa’s swoon continued with a 7-1 loss at home to the Tigers.
13. Boston Red Sox (13-10)
This Week: @ Cleveland, vs. Chicago Cubs
Boston turned a miserable start to the week into a happy ending. Facing the red-hot Guardians to kick off their week, the Red Sox lost three-of-four at home to the American League Central leaders. Overall, Boston finished its homestand with a 3-7 mark. Not good. However, the Sox finished their week with an impressive sweep over the Pirates in Pittsburgh. The pitching staff held the Pirates to two runs or less in all three games and the bats provided plenty of support — plating 18 runs. Kutter Crawford continued his stellar start, as well, allowing one run over 6.0 IP.
12. Toronto Blue Jays (13-10)
This Week: @ Kansas City, vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
The Blue Jays are on a heater. Including both series last week, Toronto has won four series in a row. The Jays took down the Yankees twice to cap off a 6-3 homestand and then entered the States to take on the Padres. In San Diego, the Jays won the first two games of the set before dropping the finale. On Monday, Toronto’s momentum continued to build with a 5-3 win over the Royals. Despite everyone in the lineup sans Justin Turner and Daulton Varsho falling short of expectations, Toronto sits at 13-10.
11. Kansas City Royals (13-10)
This Week: vs. Toronto, @ Detroit
Like their American League Central counterparts the Detroit Tigers, the Kansas City Royals are off to a strong start due to their pitching. Through 23 games, the Royals are allowing 3.18 runs per game — the best mark in baseball. Additionally, the starting rotation has the third-best ERA (2.94). Bobby Witt Jr. and Salvador Perez are mashing the ball, as well. The Royals may contend for the Central title if their pitching continues to hold up.
10. Cincinnati Reds (12-10)
This Week: vs. Philadelphia, @ Texas
The Reds have been a streaky team thus far. Two weekends ago, Cincinnati swept the pathetic White Sox. In their next series, the Reds were swept in Seattle and played three poor games in a row. In the defeats, Cincy scored five total runs and surrendered 17. Three wins, three losses. What was next? Three more wins. This past weekend, the Reds swept the Angels — and held the Halos to six total runs. Monday’s series with the Phillies kicked off with a defeat…are the Reds destined for another sweep to continue the streak?
9. Chicago Cubs (13-9)
This Week: vs. Houston, @ Boston
The Cubs will be in the mix to win the National League Central all season. In an impressive showing to begin last week, the Cubbies traveled to the desert and took two-of-three from the defending NL champs. Settling for a four-game split against the struggling Marlins to end the week wasn’t ideal, but the Cubs are in a good spot. Shota Imanaga has been great — 3-0 with an 0.84 ERA and a 0.750 WHIP — and Michael Busch is batting .309 with six homers.
8. New York Mets (12-10)
This Week: @ San Francisco, vs. St. Louis
New York has responded well after beginning the season with an 0-5 record. At 12-10, the Mets have been playing good baseball for three weeks and are coming off a nice series in Los Angeles. Following a 5-1 homestand against the Royals and Pirates, the Mets went 2-1 against the Dodgers at Chavez Ravine. However, the mood in the clubhouse may have shifted over the past two days. In addition to being outscored 15-2 since Sunday — 10-0 loss to the Dodgers, 5-2 loss Monday at San Francisco — the Mets lost catcher Francisco Alvarez for six-to-eight weeks after he suffered a torn thumb ligament.
7. Los Angeles Dodgers (13-11)
This Week: @ Washington, @ Toronto
The Dodgers are mired in a 3-7 slump but remain atop the National League West. Remarkably, the Dodgers have dropped three series in a row — all at home — and four-of-five overall. Last week, Los Angeles lost two-of-three to both the Nationals and Mets. Against Washington, the lineup was held to six runs in the two losses. In the losses to New York, the Dodgers surrendered 15 runs. Sunday’s 10-0 win was a welcomed sight. In addition to the offense scoring 10 runs, Tyler Glasnow produced a gem — striking out 10 batters over eight shutout innings.
6. Philadelphia Phillies (15-8)
This Week: @ Cincinnati, @ San Diego
The Phillies have taken advantage of a weak schedule to propel themselves to a 15-8 record. 8-1 over their last nine games, the Phillies went a perfect 6-0 last week against the two-worst teams in baseball — the White Sox and Rockies. Colorado gave Philly a fight — losing two games by one run. Over the weekend, the Sox provided three effortless wins. Philadelphia scored at least seven runs in all three games and held Chicago to seven total runs.
5. Milwaukee Brewers (14-7)
This Week: @ Pittsburgh, vs. New York Yankees
Even though he is currently on the IL with a back injury, Christian Yelich has a reason to smile. The Brewers are atop the National League Central and their lineup has continued to mash with Yelich on the bench. Overall, Milwaukee is second in the Majors in batting average (.275), on-base percentage (.348) and third in slugging (.441). After dropping two-of-three at home to San Diego to start their week, the Brewers traveled to St. Louis and swept the rival Cardinals. It’s early, but Milwaukee appears to be legit.
4. Cleveland Guardians (16-6)
This Week: vs. Boston, @ Atlanta
The Guardians just keep winning. Despite being without two starting pitchers including former Cy Young winner Shane Bieber, Cleveland’s staff is getting the job done. Through 20 games, the club has pitched four shutouts. At the plate, Steven Kwan is batting .358 and Josh Naylor is on fire — hitting .325 with six home runs. Last week, Cleveland went 3-1 at Fenway and outscored Oakland 22-7 in a three-game sweep back at home.
3. New York Yankees (15-8)
This Week: vs. Oakland, @ Milwaukee
Facing a pair of division rivals last week, the Yankees went 3-3. North of the border to start the week, the Yanks dropped the first two games to the Jays before avoiding the sweep with a 6-4 win in the finale. Back in the Bronx over the weekend, New York went 2-1 against the Rays. Juan Soto has been as advertised — hitting above .300 with five HR — and Giancarlo Stanton has mashed five homers of his own. However, Aaron Judge has struggled all year and was booed at home over the weekend. The slugger has three HR on the year and is hitting .174 entering Tuesday.
2. Baltimore Orioles (15-7)
This Week: @ Los Angeles Angels, vs. Oakland
The Orioles are flying. 7-1 over their last eight games, the O’s have jumped the Yankees for first place in the American League East entering play Tuesday. Last week, Baltimore swept the Twins with ease — outscoring Minnesota 22-9 — and went 2-1 in Kansas City against a solid Royals club. As a team, the O’s lead the American League in slugging and are showing no signs of slowing down. If there has been one negative to Baltimore’s season thus far it is Jackson Holliday’s performance. Through the first nine games of his career, Holliday is 1-for-30 with 16 strikeouts.
1. Atlanta Braves (15-6)
This Week: vs. Miami, vs. Cleveland
The Braves are 8-2 over their last 10 games and have a collective .828 OPS for the season. Ronald Acuna Jr. has only one home run, Austin Riley and Matt Olson have five between the two of them — and yet Atlanta is still smoking its opponents. Marcell Ozuna is up to nine HR and has been one of the league’s top players thus far. Last week, the Braves swept the Astros in Houston and then went 2-1 at home against the defending champion Rangers.