Major League Baseball

2024 MLB Power Rankings: Dodgers surge, Yankees tumble, Braves stay No. 1

Updated Apr. 29, 2024 1:20 p.m. ET

So much for the Dodgers' struggles.

While I still believe Los Angeles has a flawed roster that needs changes if it wants to be a World Series contender, the Dodgers went on the road and swept the Nationals, then took two of three from the Blue Jays as part of a six-game winning streak that has them moving back up my power rankings. The Yankees, on the other hand, scuffled a bit against the horrific Oakland A's, and I believe the time has come to start officially worrying about the health of Aaron Judge.

That said, the Braves and Orioles still reign supreme even after Spencer Strider's injury and Jackson Holliday's surprisingly forgettable first stint in the major leagues.

Here are my top 10 clubs in baseball right now, with odds from FanDuel Sportsbook.

10. Seattle Mariners (15-13, last week unranked)
World Series odds: +1900

Less than two weeks ago, I named these same Mariners the most disappointing team in baseball thanks to the struggles of several of their key starting pitchers, three of whom had ERAs above 5.75 to start the season. Now, Seattle is second in the majors in ERA and leads the league in WHIP. The Mariners have won four straight series and George Kirby — more on him in my Team of the Week — looks like a Cy Young candidate who could finish the year with more starts than walks allowed.

The Mariners' lineup behind Julio Rodriguez leaves a lot to be desired, but Seattle is suddenly first in the AL West and starting to validate my faith in it as a preseason sleeper pick. That starting rotation led by Kirby, Luis Castillo, Logan Gilbert and Bryce Miller will keep the Mariners in just about every game this season, and if those four reach the playoffs healthy and effective, watch out.

9. Kansas City Royals (17-12, LW 10)
World Series odds: +9000

The Royals are 5-5 over their last 10 games, while the Minnesota Twins — the preseason favorite to win the AL Central — have won seven straight after a rough start to the season. If Kansas City wants to duke it out with Minnesota over the next several months for the division title, the Royals will have to play better than .500 baseball. Maybe not that much better, though.

8. Chicago Cubs (17-11, LW 8)
World Series odds: +3900

Shota Imanaga is off to a hot start with his MLB career, and the Cubs would not be where they are without him. However, Cody Bellinger's injury from running into the Wrigley Field wall, where he suffered two cracked ribs, is a tough blow even if he is not sidelined too long, as the former MVP was just starting to heat up at the plate.

7. Milwaukee Brewers (17-10, LW 7)
World Series odds: +4800

Like the Royals, the Brewers turned some heads early in this season, but have treaded water over the past week. Not bad, but they will have to do more to keep up with the more talented teams in their division.

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6. Cleveland Guardians (19-9, LW 6)
World Series odds: +3000

I don't think anyone saw this start to the Guardians' season coming, especially with Shane Bieber out for the year. But Josh Naylor has been awesome at the plate and Stephen Voght is an early candidate for Manager of the Year. I do have concerns about Triston McKenzie after his velocity was down in his last start, which is never a good sign. Especially with Bieber out of the picture, the Guardians need McKenzie to stay healthy and effective.

Atlanta Braves, Baltimore Orioles & Los Angeles Dodgers headline MLB Power Rankings

5. New York Yankees (19-10, LW 3)
World Series odds: +600

The Yankees have been fine, but they move down a couple of spots because of how they began this week — splitting a four-game series with the Oakland A's. That cannot happen. Plus, all four teams ahead of them have been heating up.

4. Philadelphia Phillies (19-10, LW 4)
World Series odds: +1300

Philadelphia has won eight of its last 10 and four in a row entering Monday. The talent from top to bottom in the Phillies' lineup can stack up against any opponent, and those guys have proven for two Octobers in a row that they can get hot when it matters most. The Phillies have fully shaken off their sluggish start and have enough talent on their pitching staff to make it back to the playoffs and contend for a World Series.

3. Los Angeles Dodgers (18-12, LW 5)
World Series odds: +360

After dropping three straight series at home, the Dodgers won six games in a row last week, including five on the road. Freddie Freeman is finally heating up in the No. 3 hole behind Mookie Betts and Shohei Ohtani, who have somehow gone even above and beyond the hype to begin their respective seasons at the plate — Betts leads the major leagues in OPS and Ohtani is right behind him in fourth. Freeman rounding into form makes that top three unstoppable.

And maybe the Dodgers are finally getting some more lineup depth behind their MVP trio (and Will Smith, who seems poised to make another All-Star Game this year). Rookie Andy Pages has been hitting lasers all over the field, helping fill the botom-of-the-lineup void as Gavin Lux, Chris Taylor and Kiké Hernandez have all struggled to begin the year.

2. Baltimore Orioles (17-10, LW 2)
World Series odds: +1100

I know people will be mad at this. How are the Orioles ahead of the Yankees when the Yankees are in first place ahead of them in the AL East? Here's why — I think the Orioles are a better team and that will bear itself out over the long run. Deal with it.

1. Atlanta Braves (19-7, LW 1)
World Series odds: +470

If I could put Atlanta higher, I would. That lineup is so good from No. 1 through No. 9. The Braves are 8-2 over their last 10 games. This is where I remind you that their ace is out for the season. What we are seeing is pure dominance from one of the best teams that baseball has to offer.

Out: New York Mets (LW 9, WS odds: +6000)

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.