MLB Power Rankings: Astros in Freefall Through the First Month of the Season

• The White Sox have scored the least runs in the league by a wide margin

• Houston ranks twenty-eighth in team ERA

• The Guardians will be without ace Shane Bieber for the season

We are a month into the MLB season, and the top of the pack is beginning to separate from the rest. We have seen some incredible starts from teams like the Yankees and Brewers while powerhouses like the Astros are flailing.

Below, we will be sharing our latest power rankings for the 2024 MLB season. We’ll share insights into each team in our rankings, along with their odds to win their division from BetMGM Sportsbook. If you’re looking for a new sportsbook to bet on baseball this season, BetMGM is giving new players a $1,500 First Bet Offer*. Simply use promo code WSNMGM, and you’ll get your initial wager refunded with Bonus Bets of up to $1,500* if it loses.

*Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Add’l terms.

For more betting opportunities, check out our list of the best MLB betting sites and our curated list of MLB promos and bonuses.

2024 MLB Power Rankings 

30. Chicago White Sox (3-19)

Odds to win AL Central: +25000 at BetMGM Sportsbook

The White Sox are the worst team in baseball, and it really isn’t even close. The team came in with low expectations and has somehow underperformed. They are dead last in batting average (.188)  and twenty-eighth in ERA (4.96). They are also last in the league in runs scored (45), with 18 fewer runs than the twenty-ninth-ranked A’s. That is a stunning stat considering the A’s minor-league-level lineup. 

We don’t really have any players to watch on offense for Chicago, with four of their top five hitters owning averages below the Mendoza line. Their pitching isn’t any better, with just two starters owning an ERA under 5.60.

29. Colorado Rockies (5-18)

Odds to win NL West: +50000 at BetMGM Sportsbook

There really isn’t much to say about this awful Rockies team. They are thirtieth in team ERA (5.88) and twenty-fifth in runs scored (80), which is a recipe for a 100-loss season. While playing at Coors Field may help improve some of their offensive numbers, they have yet to take advantage of it early in 2024.

The reason we are counting the Rockies out is that their top hitter is Ryan McMahon (.325 BA, 2 HR, 12 RBI). While his start has helped Colorado salvage some wins, history suggests the third baseman won’t keep this up. McMahon has a .246 career average and has not hit more than 25 home runs in seven seasons with the Rockies. 

28. Miami Marlins (6-18)

Odds to win NL East: +15000 at BetMGM Sportsbook

The Marlins have yet to win a series this season, but they did just split four games with the Cubs. While the team now has 6 wins after starting 0-9, this is clearly one of the worst teams in baseball. The starting rotation has been a pleasant surprise, but the bullpen and lineup are awful. The Marlins farm system is ranked twenty-ninth in the league, meaning help isn’t on the way. 

While Miami has had surprising success from their starters, Jesus Luzardo (0-2, 6.58 ERA, 1.42 WHIP) has been awful as the ace. He looks nothing like the impressive start he was the last two seasons, suddenly struggling badly with his control. He did bounce back over the weekend against an injured Cubs team, and he could continue to build that momentum with a start against Washington slated for Friday. 

27. Houston Astros (7-16)

Odds to win AL West: +170 at BetMGM Sportsbook

It doesn’t feel right to rank a roster like the Astros have this low, but here we are. We keep waiting for Houston to wake up, but they are dropping a ton of games. That includes losing two of three against the lowly Nationals over the weekend. Luckily for Houston, the AL West has been a mess to start the season. That won’t last for long, so Houston will need to figure things out or risk digging themselves into a big hole this spring. 

Pitching is the biggest problem the Astros have, ranking twenty-ninth in team ERA (5.10). They have seen JP France and Hunter Brown both be hit hard in the rotation while their bullpen collapses. New closer Josh Hader (8.38 ERA, 2 SV) and setup man Ryan Pressly (8.31 ERA) have been horrendous, making it hard for the Astros to protect a lead.

26. Oakland A’s (9-14)

Odds to win AL West: +25000 at BetMGM Sportsbook

The A’s started the season looking better than expected, but they have returned back to their losing ways. Their roster is the worst in baseball and their farm system is a mess. That means help isn’t on the way, and the team will sell off any of their top players that they can at the All-Star break. We fully expect them to once again lose 100+ games in their final season in Oakland.

There is one A’s player worth watching in 2024: Mason Miller (1.80 ERA, 5 SV). The reliever has dazzled as the team’s closer, shining bright despite the team’s poor play. While he likely won’t see many save opportunities, we think he posts some very impressive numbers, giving fans something to hope for in the future.

25. Minnesota Twins (8-13)

Odds to win Al Central: +275 at BetMGM Sportsbook

After coming into the season with high expectations and AL Central title hopes, the Twins have fallen flat. After winning their first two games, Minnesota has gone 5-13. They haven’t won a series since the opener, though they have had a tough schedule. Fortunately, the Twins have a great chance to turn things around with seven games against the White Sox and three against the Angels coming up.

The Twins have dug themselves into a hole, but all hope is not lost. They have been without Carlos Correa and Royce Lewis for much of the year. Those are two key bats for an offense that is twenty-ninth in the league in batting average (.195). Given how weak their division is, the Twins shouldn’t fall too far back while they figure things out.

24. Los Angeles Angels (9-13)

Odds to win AL West: +2200 at BetMGM Sportsbook

The Angels started the season stronger than expected, but they are quickly falling back down to Earth. They have lost four straight games and seven of their last nine. We knew the Angels were going to be even worse without Shohei Ohtani, losing their top pitcher and hitter. Considering their weak roster and their thirtieth-ranked farm system, it's hard to see LA turning things around for some time.

The worst part of the season is how well Tyler Anderson (2-2, 1.42 ERA, 0.95 WHIP) and Redi Detmers (3-0, 1.19 ERA, 0.97 WHIP) have been playing. Both of them were brought in last season in hopes of making a run to keep Ohtani, but they were both awful. While they have bounced back this season, the Angels' small window has already closed, making last season even more painful. 

23. San Francisco Giants (10-13)

Odds to win NL West: +1800 at BetMGM Sportsbook

This is a terrible Giants team. Their rotation is strong, but they are struggling in every other aspect of the game. Their roster features little young talent, instead being filled with veterans that other teams passed on. While those veterans may prevent them from losing 100 games, it won’t be even close to enough to earn an NL Wild Card.

Our player to watch for the Giants this season is center fielder Jung Hoo Lee (.282 BA, 2 HR, 7 RBI). The team signed the 25-year-old out of South Korea in the offseason, and he has adjusted well. His OBP and slugging percentage aren’t great, but his ability to hit for average is a big reason why San Francisco brought Lee in. He’s not a star for them to build around, but he could end up being a key piece of the Giants’ future. 

22. St. Louis Cardinals (10-13)

Odds to win NL Central: +2375 at BetMGM Sportsbook

The Cardinals entered the season as the betting favorite to win the NL Central, but have failed to live up to the hype. Things have only gotten worse over this season, with the Cards dropping six of their previous eight games. That includes being swept by the Brewers at home, one of the division's top teams. They have issues across their roster, but their biggest is their inability to get runners on base. They are twenty-seventh in team ERA (.219) and runs scored (76), and twenty-ninth in home runs. 

The biggest question we have about the Cards revolves around Paul Goldschmidt. The future Hall of Famer had one of his worst seasons in 2023, and there are no signs that he is turning things around. The first baseman will turn 37 in September, meaning we could be witnessing the end of his career. If that’s the case, expect St. Louis to lose a log of games this season.

21. Washington Nationals (10-11)

Odds to win NL East: +50000 at BetMGM Sportsbook

It's going to be a long season in our nation’s Capital. The Nationals have outperformed expectations early, including series wins against the Dodgers and Astros. However, this is a roster that lacks talent. They rank in the bottom half of the league in most categories, and that is unlikely to change over the remainder of the season.

If there is a silver lining for Nationals fans, it's the future of their pitching staff. Jake Irvin (1-1, 3.13 ERA, 1.00 WHIP), MacKenzie Gore (2-1, 3.60 ERA), and Mitchell Parker (2-0, 1.50, 0.58 WHIP) have all looked great to open the season. They are all young pitchers who are just starting their careers, and they could give the Nationals a staff to build around in the future.

20. Pittsburgh Pirates (12-11)

Odds to win NL Central: +1000 at BetMGM Sportsbook

After starting the season 11-5, the Pirates have lost six straight games. They were swept by the Mets and Red Sox and could extend that streak with a series against a very good Milwaukee team this week. Their struggles are expected, given they were expected to be one of the worst teams in baseball. Expect them to remain in the bottom half of our power rankings.

While their early season success is fading, the Pirates may have found something in rookie pitcher Jared Jones (1-2, 3.13 ERA). The 22-year-old has been stellar over his first four career starts, a run that includes quality starts against the Phillies and the Orioles. Jones was one of the team’s top prospects and could be a key piece of their future.

19. Arizona Diamondbacks (11-13)

Odds to win NL West: +900 at BetMGM Sportsbook

Everyone in the NL West has been off to a slow start, which makes the D-Backs struggles so painful. Instead of building a cushion in the division, despite being leading all of baseball in runs scored. That is largely due to their rotation, which hasn’t had much success beyond Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly. While that is something that can be fixed, it likely won’t be before the Dodgers finally wake up.

Ketel Marte (.330 BA, 5 HR, 13 RBI) and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (.289 BA, 5 HR, 21 RBI) have been incredible to begin the season, but Corbin Carroll (.216 BA, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 8 SB) is MIA. He’s been registering steals but is struggling to get on base.  The 23-year-old was fantastic in his first full season in the big leagues but is mired in a sophomore slump. Marte and Gurriel will undoubtedly cool down, which will be trouble for Arizona if Carroll can’t figure things out. 

18. Seattle Mariners (11-11)

Odds to win AL West: +250 at BetMGM Sportsbook

The Mariners have won five of their previous six games. While we aren’t ready to buy into their turnaround just yet, they are flashing their true potential. During their winning stretch, the team outscored their opponents (the Reds and Rockies) 35-9. We have known that Seattle has arguably the best rotation in baseball, but their offense has been underperforming.

The Mariners’ recent offensive success has been due to Julio Rodriguez (.276 BA, 0 HR, 8 RBI, 6 SB) finally finding his bat. While he is still looking for his first home run of the season, he has raised his average from .190 to .276 in the last week alone. He has had multi-hit games in five straight games, and we think it's only a matter of time before his power returns. Once it does, J-Rod could end up with his first MLB MVP award. 

17. San Diego Padres (13-12)

Odds to win NL West: +1300 at BetMGM Sportsbook

The Padres are still struggling to find themselves in 2024. They lost a lot of pieces in the offseason, including Juan Soto and their top three starters: Blake Snell, Seth Lugo, and Michael Wacha. However, this is still a team with a ton of talent. They’ll likely need an upgrade to their rotation, but the Padres remain one of our teams to watch going forward.

One big reason we aren’t selling on the Padres is rookie Jackson Merrill (.308 BA, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 4 SB). San Diego’s second-ranked prospect has been impressive during his first season. What he lacks in power he has made up for with speed and the ability to get on base (.394 OBP). He currently finds himself towards the bottom of the lineup but could end up taking over the leadoff role from a struggling Xander Bogaerts (.204 BA, .275 OBP).

16. Detroit Tigers (13-10)

Odds to win AL Central: +400 at BetMGM Sportsbook

The Tigers started the season 6-1, but have gone 6-9 since then. It seems like the magic from their early success has worn off, meaning the current version is likely what we’ll see for the remainder of the season. While their division is the weakest in baseball, we still see the Tigers continuing to fade into irrelevance.

The Tigers offense is a mess (26th in batting average), but right fielder Kerry Carpenter (.318 BA, 3 HR, 12 RBI) has been a bright spot. The 26-year-old broke out last season and currently leads the team in batting average, home runs, RBIs, and slugging percentage (.576). The problem is Carpenter is still struggling to hit left-handed pitching, going 1-7 this season. The Tigers haven’t played him much when a lefty is starting on the mount, limiting the production of their top player.

15. Tampa Bay Rays (12-12)

Odds to win AL East: +900 at BetMGM Sportsbook

The Rays are struggling to find any level of consistency in 2024. They are 4-4 over their last eight games, including a series lost to the Angels. Their rotation has been good, but the bullpen has been a bit rocky. That is a problem for a Rays team that is nineteenth in runs scored and will likely cost them a trip to the playoffs.

There are a few different issues the Rays need to address, but the biggest is Randy Arozarena (.157 BA, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 4 SB). The left fielder has become a key bat for the Rays, but he is off to a horrific start. Arozarena has taken over Franco’s spot in the lineup, making the star's absence even more notable. There are some other talented bats in the lineup, but it won’t matter if he can’t turn things around. 

14. Texas Rangers (12-11)

Odds to win AL West: +140 at BetMGM Sportsbook

 The Rangers lead the AL West, but that isn’t saying much. Their record has hovered around the .500 mark as they attempt to find some consistency. Their offense has been good, ranking seventh in batting average (.256) and eighth in runs scored (114). The problem is their pitching, which ranks twentieth in team ERA (4.19).

The Rangers’ pitching woes are mainly confined to the bullpen. Luckily, it looks like they have finally found a solid 1-2 punch at the back. David Robertson (1-0, 1.46 ERA) has been great in a setup role, while Kirby Yates (0.00 ERA, 3 SV) has been great as the defacto closer. If Texas can find a way to get close games to Robertson and Yates, it could give them the kickstart so badly need.

13. Boston Red Sox (13-10)

Odds to win NL Central: +850 at BetMGM Sportsbook

The Red Sox will be able to snap a cold streak with a road sweep of the Pirates over the weekend. They outscored Pittsburgh 18-4 over the three games, a badly-needed bounceback after dropping eight of their previous 12 games. Boston has a decent team, but they’re playing in one of the best divisions in the league. Considering how good New York, Baltimore, Toronto, and Tampa are, it's hard to see the Red Sox as a playoff team.

While he recently landed on the 10-Day IL after a rib injury, first baseman Triston Casas 9.244 BA, 6 HR, 10 RBI) has impressed. He had a good rookie campaign last year, and he’s been even better in 2024. The 24-year-old gives the Red Sox another slugger in the heart of the lineup (.513 SLG) and should be a key piece of the team’s future. 

12. Cincinnati Reds (12-10)

Odds to win NL Central: +450 at BetMGM Sportsbook

The Reds may still be a year or two away from being a true contender, but they are still a dangerous team. While they were swept by the Mariners to start last week, they swept series against the White Sox and Angels before and after. They won’t have a problem beating up on bad teams, but they just don’t seem to be at the same level as the league’s top squads.

Elly De La Cruz (.306 BA, 6 HR, 15 RBI, 10 SB) had a fantastic rookie campaign, and he has been even better in 2023. The 22-year-old has a combination of power and speed that will likely make him an MVP candidate for years to come. The Reds have a lot of young talent, but their future will live and die by De La Cruz. 

11. Toronto Blue Jays (13-10)

Odds to win AL East: +650 at BetMGM Sportsbook

The Blue Jays are off to another shabby start to the season, but things have been going better of late. Heading into their series with the Royals, Toronto has won six of their last eight games, getting series wins over the Rockies, Yankees, and Padres. The hot streak is nice, but the Blue Jays will need to find consistency if they want to compete in the AL East. 

The team’s recent string of wins can be attributed to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (.266 BA, 3 HR, 9 RBI) and Bo Bichette (.241 BA, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 3 SB) finally finding their strokes. We are confident Bichette will have another impressive season, but we have concerns about Guerrero. The first baseman has seen his home runs and batting average drop in the last two seasons. This team is built around him and his power, and they will be limited if he can’t turn things around this season.

10. Los Angeles Dodgers (13-11)

Odds to win NL West: -550 at BetMGM Sportsbook

Few teams have been worse than the Dodgers over the last two weeks. They have lost seven of their previous ten games, dropping three straight series. The good news is that the offense has been firing on all cylinders, ranking in the top five of the league in batting average (.259) home runs (28), and runs scored (124). The bad news is that their pitching is a mess.

The pitching won’t be getting any better now that Bobby Miller is on the DL. He has been hit hard, but the top prospect was expected to be an important part of this rotation. His struggles are amplified by the struggles of Yoshinobu Yamamoto (1-1, 4.50 ERA) and Gavin Stone (1-1, 6.00 ERA, 1.78 WHIP). Considering that James Paxton (2-0, 2.81 ERA) can’t keep up his current level of play, the Dodgers will need help with their rotation quickly to stop their current skid.

9. Kansas City Royals (13-10)

Odds to win AL Central: +450 at BetMGM Sportsbook

The Royals have been far better than anyone expected over the first month. However, they have begun to cool off of late. Kansas City has lost five of their previous nine games, dropping the series to the Mets and Orioles. Very few people (including us) believe the Royals are a playoff team, but it's hard to count them out of an underwhelming AL Central division.

The Royals have been getting contributions from a lot of key players, but none have been better than Bobby Witt Jr. (.300 BA, 4 HR, 8 RBI, 4 SB). The 23-year-old was great last season and has been even better in 2024, making him one of the favorites to win the 2024 AL MVP. The question is what kind of support can he expect from the rest of the Royals’ lineup.  

8. New York Mets (12-9)

Odds to win the NL East: +1800 at BetMGM Sportsbook

After a start that saw them booed by their own fans, the Mets have come alive. Coming into their series with the Giants they have won eight of their previous ten games. Their pitching has been solid, but their success is primarily due to their lineup. They are averaging 6.4 runs over the last ten games, which includes a game where they were shut out. The impressive offense has been driven by Pete Alonso (.241 BA, 6 HR, 11 RBI) who appears to be back on track after posting a .217 average in 2023.

We never doubted the New York lineup, but their rotation still lacks a true star. The good news is that Jose Butto (0-0, 1.65 ERA, 1.04 WHIP) has been fantastic. The young pitcher looked very good in limited action last season, earning him a spot in the 2024 Mets’ rotation. He has looked incredible across his first three starts and could become the missing piece the New York rotation needs.

7. Chicago Cubs (13-9)

Odds to win NL Central: +185 at BetMGM Sportsbook

The Cubs have been hit hard by injuries early this season, but there is little data that this is one of their best teams over the last five years. Craig Counsell has put on a master class as he replaces his growing list of stars, allowing Chicago to start with a 13-9 record. That being said, the Cubs could start feeling their injuries as they have the Astros, Red Sox, Mets, Brewers, and Padres coming up on the schedule.

The money that Chicago spent to lure Shota Imanaga (3-0, 0.84 ERA, 0.75 WHIP) across the Pacific has paid off in a big way. The 30-year-old “rookie” has been near unhittable across four starts this season, holding opponents scoreless in three of them. His play gives Chicago the ace they have been missing, making them even more dangerous than expected.

6. Philadelphia Phillies (15-8)

Odds to win the NL East: +350 at BetMGM Sportsbook

The Phillies got off to a sluggish start but turned things around in a big way last week. They went 6-0 during that stretch, establishing themselves as one of the top teams in the NL. While this is a talented team, we’ll see if they can stay hot this week. Last week featured matchups with the league’s bottom two teams: the Rockies and White Sox. Now they’ll hit the road to take on far better teams in the Padres and Reds.

After a disappointing 2023 campaign, Trea Turner (.248 BA, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 5 SB) has been playing at an MVP level to begin the season. The shortstop has been among the best players in the league when healthy, but he has played in 155+ games in two straight seasons. The 30-year-old has a .402 OBP and .506 SLG, showing just how well he has been playing. 

5. Milwaukee Brewers (14-7)

Odds to win NL Central: +260 at BetMGM Sportsbook

The Brewers are tied with the Braves for the best record in the NL, and they show no signs of slowing down. They bounced back over the weekend with a road sweep of the Cardinals, keeping the lead in the NL Central. The offense has continued to click, despite missing Christian Yelich. Milwaukee’s starting rotation will be a handicap all season, but their elite bullpen and offense make them a major threat in the NL.

One reason for their offensive success is catcher William Contreras (.354 BA, 4 HR, 20 RBI). The 26-year-old has been one of the team’s best acquisitions since a three-way trade with the Braves brought him to the Good Land. He has slotted in perfectly in the second spot in the lineup, giving Milwaukee an elite bat they have been missing the last few seasons.

4. Baltimore Orioles (14-7)

Odds to win AL East: +250 at BetMGM Sportsbook

It took some time for the Orioles to find their groove, but it appears they have now done so. Baltimore has won six of their previous seven games. A big reason for their turnaround is their offense, which is averaging 6.6 runs per game over their last seven. 

While the offensive success is impressive, their pitching remains a problem. Corbin Burnes (3-0, 2.76 ERA, 0.92 WHIP) and Grayson Rodriguez (3-0, 2.63 ERA, 1.17 WHIP) have been excellent, but the rest of the rotation has been hit hard. The good news is that Kyle Bradish’s return is imminent, which will give Baltimore an elite 1-2-3 punch.

3. Cleveland Guardians (16-6)

Odds to win AL Central: +115 at BetMGM Sportsbook

The Guardians haven’t had the hardest schedule, but they have looked incredible. While they own the best record in baseball, they lost three of their four games against the Bronx Bombers. We have no expectation that the Guardians' success will continue, but we think they are certainly the top threat to win the AL Central.

The Cleveland offense is overperforming, covering a rough start for their starting rotation. Those problems are made even worse considering Shane Bieber will miss the remainder of the season after getting Tommy John surgery. Three of the five Guardians’ starters currently own ERAs above 4.40. One of those three will need to snap out of it if the team wants a chance to replace their ace.

2. New York Yankees (15-8)

Odds to win AL East: -105 at BetMGM Sportsbook

 The Yankees cooled off a bit last week, but they picked things up by winning three of their four games over the weekend. They still have the fourth-best record in baseball, despite missing production from two of their top stars, Gerrit Cole and Aaron Judge.

Cole is progressing well in his return from a nerve injury, but Judge remains ice-cold. While healthy, the slugger currently owns a .183 batting average and a .674 OPS. His struggles are a bit concerning, but they also make the Yankees' success even more impressive. Judge will find his swing at some point and Cole will return, meaning New York will be getting even better this spring. 

1. Atlanta Braves (15-6)

Odds to win NL East: -400 at BetMGM Sportsbook

No Spencer Strider? No problem! The Braves haven’t lost a step since losing their ace, winning six of their previous seven games. They have been great both on the mound and at the plate, leading to a dominating start to the season. 

While we still have some questions about their pitching staff, the offense is good enough to propel them to a World Series appearance. That’s especially true now that Ronald Acuna Jr. is finding his swing. The reigning NL MVP has been electric over the last two weeks, raising his average and finally getting his first home run. The lack of power is a bit of a concern, but the Braves have plenty of sluggers. As long as Acuna continues to keep his OBP around .400 and steal bases, the Braves will remain the best team in the NL.