Even with another week of games completed, the line between contender and also-ran is no clearer here in the early days of the 2024 MLB season.

A whopping 10 different series sweeps were handed out last week, which paved the way for plenty of shuffling in our weekly power rankings once again, including a new team slotted in the No. 1 spot.

As the on-field sample size grows larger, preseason expectations fade into the background, but there is still time for teams to rebound from a slow start or slowly slide down the rankings after a better-than-expected first few weeks.

For now, these rankings serve as a snapshot of where all 30 MLB teams currently stand.

Nos. 30-28

30. Chicago White Sox (3-18)

Previous Rank: 30

Last Week: 1-2 vs. KC, 0-3 @ PHI

It's going to be a long season for the White Sox, and the bright spots have been few and far between in April. Slugger Gavin Sheets has an .882 OPS with five doubles, three home runs and 10 RBI in 18 games, doing the bulk of the offensive damage for a team that has a collective .188 batting average and .552 OPS.

29. Miami Marlins (6-17)

Previous Rank: 29

Last Week: 1-2 vs. SF, 2-2 @ CHC

The Marlins are 6-8 since losing nine in a row to open the year, so things are trending in the right direction, but it's still easy to forget that this was a playoff team in 2023. Outfielder Bryan De La Cruz leads the team in most offensive categories, including OPS (.767), hits (26), home runs (5) and total bases (45), but he also has a .293 on-base percentage and a 28.3 percent strikeout rate.

28. Colorado Rockies (5-17)

Previous Rank: 28

Last Week: 0-3 @ PHI, 1-2 vs. SEA

The Rockies have scored two or fewer runs 12 times in their first 22 games. Backed by one of the worst pitching staffs in baseball, wins are going to be hard to come by if they can't put a crooked number on the scoreboard. And outside of shortstop Ezequiel Tovar and third baseman Ryan McMahon, they have been disappointing across the board offensively.

Nos. 27-25

27. Oakland Athletics (8-14)

Previous Rank: 23

Last Week: 1-2 vs. STL, 0-3 @ CLE

The A's were on the rise in last week's rankings following a 6-2 stretch of games, but a pair of series losses sent them tumbling back down to the bottom tier of teams. The pitching staff ranks 19th in the majors with a 4.18 ERA, which is a significant improvement over the 5.48 ERA they logged a year ago, but the offense is averaging 2.86 runs per game.

26. Houston Astros (7-16)

Previous Rank: 22

Last Week: 0-3 vs. ATL, 1-2 @ WAS

Are the Astros really this bad? They rank 29th in the majors with a 5.10 ERA, and the bullpen in particular has been a glaring issue with a 5.36 ERA and six blown saves in eight chances. They are navigating a ton of injuries right now, but they are digging a huge hole while they wait for guys to return to action.

25. Minnesota Twins (7-13)

Previous Rank: 20

Last Week: 0-3 @ BAL, 1-2 vs. DET

The Twins offense has been shockingly bad this year, posting a .195 batting average (29th in MLB) and .610 OPS (28th in MLB). They have scored just 67 runs through the club's first 20 games. And while they have a solid starting rotation and a good bullpen, even with closer Jhoan Duran on the injured list, they simply haven't scored enough runs.

Nos. 24-22

24. Los Angeles Angels (9-13)

Previous Rank: 24

Last Week: 2-2 @ TB, 0-3 @ CIN

The Angels were outscored 17-6 while getting swept in Cincinnati over the weekend, and they are still searching for consistent offensive production outside of Mike Trout and Taylor Ward. To that point, a resurgent Miguel Sano went 9-for-21 with one double, one home runs and four RBI last week, and he has settled in as the cleanup hitter.

23. St. Louis Cardinals (9-13)

Previous Rank: 21

Last Week: 2-1 @ OAK, 0-3 vs. MIL

Outside of Sonny Gray posting a 1.04 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 23-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 17.1 innings over his first three starts, the Cardinals are thin on individual standouts. Two of their three series wins so far have come against the Marlins and Athletics, or their record would look even worse.

22. San Francisco Giants (10-13)

Previous Rank: 25

Last Week: 2-1 @ MIA, 2-2 vs. ARI

With another solid week at the plate, rookie Jung Hoo Lee is now hitting .282/.337/.388 with three doubles, two home runs, seven RBI and two steals in 21 games. Fellow newcomer Jordan Hicks has a 1.61 ERA and 0.93 WHIP in 28 innings over his first five starts after serving primarily as a reliever in recent years. A busy offseason is paying some early dividends, though they still have work to do to climb into contention.

Nos. 21-19

21. Washington Nationals (10-11)

Previous Rank: 27

Last Week: 2-1 @ LAD, 2-1 vs. HOU

Don't sleep on this Nationals team. Shortstop CJ Abrams went 8-for-25 with six extra-base hits last week, and he is now batting .297/.358/.676 with four doubles, three triples, six home runs, 12 RBI and four steals. Meanwhile, unheralded pitchers Jake Irvin and Mitchell Parker have brought some welcome depth to the starting rotation.

20. Seattle Mariners (11-11)

Previous Rank: 26

Last Week: 3-0 vs. CIN, 2-1 @ COL

Strong performances at the plate from Cal Raleigh (8-for-20, 3 HR, 7 RBI) and Julio Rodríguez (13-for-28, 2 2B, 4 SB) and excellent work across the board from the starting rotation has the Mariners showing signs of life after a rough start to the year. They will look to keep things rolling against the Rangers and D-backs this coming week and could climb quickly.

19. San Diego Padres (12-12)

Previous Rank: 15

Last Week: 2-1 @ MIL, 1-2 vs. TOR

The Padres paid a steep price to acquire Dylan Cease just before Opening Day, but it looks like one of the more impactful moves of the offseason as he has a 1.99 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 27 strikeouts in 22.2 innings after logging another quality start last week. Considering how little they have gotten from Xander Bogaerts and Manny Machado, things could be a lot worse than a .500 record.

Nos. 18-16

18. Tampa Bay Rays (12-11)

Previous Rank: 11

Last Week: 2-2 vs. LAA, 1-2 @ NYY

With Sunday's loss to the Yankees, the Rays have slipped to the bottom of the AL East standings, and their minus-18 run differential is also the worst among division foes. They have gotten next to nothing from 2023 All-Star Game starters Yandy Díaz (.221 BA, .560 OPS) and Randy Arozarena (.157 BA, .472 OPS), so those two need to pick it up at the top of the lineup.

17. Pittsburgh Pirates (11-11)

Previous Rank: 7

Last Week: 0-3 vs. NYM, 0-3 vs. BOS

The Pirates have crashed back to earth since their 9-2 start to the year. The offense has holes and the bullpen has been a major issue with All-Star closer David Bednar struggling, but the starting rotation ranks 11th in the majors with a 3.88 ERA led by the one-two punch of Mitch Keller and rookie Jared Jones. They might not be ready to contend just yet, but this team is headed in the right direction.

16. Arizona Diamondbacks (11-12)

Previous Rank: 12

Last Week: 1-2 vs. CHC, 2-2 @ SF

The double play combination of Ketel Marte (13-for-31, 4 XBH, 2 HR) and Blaze Alexander (7-for-18, 5 XBH, 1 HR) led the way offensively for the D-backs last week, and they have been among the most productive tandems in baseball. Late free-agent signing Jordan Montgomery made his D-backs debut on Friday and allowed four hits and one earned run over six strong innings.

Nos. 15-13

15. Cincinnati Reds (12-9)

Previous Rank: 13

Last Week: 0-3 @ SEA, 3-0 vs. LAA

The Reds rebounded from getting swept by the Mariners with a sweep of their own over the weekend, and left-hander Nick Lodolo turned in another strong start on Friday. The 6'6" southpaw has allowed eight hits and one earned run while posting a 16-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 12 innings over his first two starts after nearly a full year on the sidelines, and he has the potential to transform an already improved rotation.

14. Detroit Tigers (12-10)

Previous Rank: 14

Last Week: 1-3 vs. TEX, 2-1 @ MIN

The Tigers improved to 7-4 on the road this year with a weekend series win against the Twins, but their struggles at home continued earlier in the week. It's still a small sample size, but they were also better on the road (41-40, -5 RD) than they were at home (37-44, -74 RD) in 2023, so it's worth keeping an eye on. How about Casey Mize (4 GS, 2.95 ERA, 1.22 WHIP) for AL Comeback Player of the Year?

13. Texas Rangers (12-11)

Previous Rank: 10

Last Week: 3-1 @ DET, 1-2 @ ATL

The Rangers avoided getting swept with a 6-4 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Sunday Night Baseball, with Michael Lorenzen (6.0 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 7 K) turning in a quality start and Evan Carter, Adolis Garcia and Andrew Knizner all going deep. So far, so good on treading water until their starting rotation gets healthy.

Nos. 12-10

12. Toronto Blue Jays (12-10)

Previous Rank: 17

Last Week: 2-1 vs. NYY, 2-1 @ SD

With four straight series wins, the Blue Jays are knocking on the door for a spot inside the top 10. The bullpen is deeper with the return of Jordan Romano in the closer's role, the starting rotation has gotten a nice boost from rookie Yariel Rodríguez, and the bottom half of the lineup showed some signs of life last week.

11. Boston Red Sox (13-10)

Previous Rank: 18

Last Week: 1-3 vs. CLE, 3-0 @ PIT

The Red Sox starting rotation continues to be arguably baseball's biggest surprise in the early going, with a 1.73 ERA over 119.1 innings to lead all of baseball. The trio of Kutter Crawford (5 GS, 0.66 ERA, 27.1 IP), Tanner Houck (4 GS, 1.35 ERA, 26.2 IP) and Brayan Bello (5 GS, 3.04 ERA, 26.2 IP) stacks up to any top of the rotation in baseball right now.

10. Chicago Cubs (13-9)

Previous Rank: 9

Last Week: 2-1 @ ARI, 2-2 vs. MIA

The Cubs are still sorting things out on the pitching side with multiple starting pitchers and closer Adbert Alzolay off to rocky starts, and they rank 27th in the majors with just 102 innings of work from the starting rotation. Despite their inconsistency on the hill, they continue to find ways to win, and rookies Michael Busch and Alexander Canario are making a major impact at the plate.

Nos. 9-7

9. New York Mets (12-9)

Previous Rank: 19

Last Week: 3-0 @ PIT, 2-1 @ LAD

The Mets have not dropped consecutive games since starting the season with five straight losses, and after dropping all the way to No. 23 just a few weeks ago, they have reached a new high point in the rankings. Their bullpen has been one of the best in baseball with a 2.95 ERA and .195 opponents' batting average allowed, helping to prop up a banged-up rotation.

8. Philadelphia Phillies (14-8)

Previous Rank: 16

Last Week: 3-0 vs. COL, 3-0 vs. CWS

The Phillies lead the majors with 13 quality starts in 22 games from the starting rotation, but they rank dead-last with a 5.78 ERA from the relief corps, so they will need their starters to continue pitching deep into games until the bullpen finds its footing. Bryce Harper reached 900 RBI for his career last week.

7. Kansas City Royals (13-9)

Previous Rank: 5

Last Week: 2-1 @ CWS, 1-2 vs. BAL

Just behind the Phillies on the quality starts leaderboard is the new-look Royals rotation with 12 in 22 games, and their 2.94 ERA from the starting staff ranks third in the majors. Offensively, Vinnie Pasquantino and Salvador Perez are both swinging a hot bat in support of rising superstar Bobby Witt Jr. With a plus-38 run differential, this team's hot start looks like the real deal.

Nos. 6-4

6. Los Angeles Dodgers (13-11)

Previous Rank: 2

Last Week: 1-2 vs. WAS, 1-2 vs, NYM

The Dodgers avoided getting swept by the Mets with a 10-0 victory on Sunday, but they are now 3-7 in their last 10 games as they continue to navigate injuries to the pitching staff. Shohei Ohtani broke Hideki Matsui's record for home runs by a Japanese-born player with the 176th long ball of his MLB career in Sunday's victory as he went 10-for-21 at the plate last week.

5. Milwaukee Brewers (14-6)

Previous Rank: 4

Last Week: 1-2 vs. SD, 3-0 @ STL

If the Red Sox starting rotation is the biggest surprise in baseball, the Brewers offense is not far behind, checking in second in the majors in batting average (.275) and OPS (.789) while averaging 5.7 runs per game. With DL Hall landing on the injured list with a knee sprain, an already thin starting rotation will be put to the test and Bryse Wilson is the most likely candidate to move into the starting staff.

4. Cleveland Guardians (16-6)

Previous Rank: 8

Last Week: 3-1 @ BOS, 3-0 vs. OAK

The Guardians are tied for last in the majors with only three quality starts from the starting rotation, and two of those came from Shane Bieber before he was lost for the season to Tommy John surgery. It's a testament to the bullpen and an improved offensive attack that they have one of the best records in baseball. Josh Naylor is hitting .325/.393/.623 with six home runs and 20 RBI in 21 games.

Nos. 3-1

3. Baltimore Orioles (14-7)

Previous Rank: 6

Last Week: 3-0 vs. MIN, 2-1 @ KC

Breakout performances from Colton Cowser (1.195 OPS, 11 XBH, 5 HR, 16 RBI) and Jordan Westburg (1.031 OPS, 11 XBH, 5 HR, 18 RBI) have given an already potent Orioles lineup even more firepower, while the starting rotation continues to hold its own with John Means, Kyle Bradish and Tyler Wells all sidelined. Top prospect Jackson Holliday is 1-for-30 with 16 strikeouts to begin his MLB career.

2. New York Yankees (15-7)

Previous Rank: 1

Last Week: 1-2 @ TOR, 2-1 vs. TB

After a 12-3 start to the year vaulted the Yankees into the No. 1 spot in these rankings, they have gone just 3-4 in their last seven games, including a series loss to the division rival Blue Jays. Left-hander Nestor Cortes tossed seven shutout innings against the Rays on Saturday, and he is looking more and more like the pitcher who dominated in 2021 and 2022.

1. Atlanta Braves (14-6)

Previous Rank: 3

Last Week: 3-0 @ HOU, 2-1 vs, TEX

The Braves once again have baseball's most potent lineup, leading the majors with a .828 OPS while averaging 6.25 runs per game, and that has helped them overcome a starting rotation that ranks 25th in the majors with a 4.85 ERA. Second baseman Ozzie Albies is sidelined with a fractured toe, leaving defensive-minded Luis Guillorme as the starter at that position for the foreseeable future.

Complete Rankings

Complete Rankings

1. Atlanta Braves
2. New York Yankees
3. Baltimore Orioles
4. Cleveland Guardians
5. Milwaukee Brewers
6. Los Angeles Dodgers
7. Kansas City Royals
8. Philadelphia Phillies
9. New York Mets
10. Chicago Cubs
11. Boston Red Sox
12. Toronto Blue Jays
13. Texas Rangers
14. Detroit Tigers
15. Cincinnati Reds
16. Arizona Diamondbacks
17. Pittsburgh Pirates
18. Tampa Bay Rays
19. San Diego Padres
20. Seattle Mariners
21. Washington Nationals
22. San Francisco Giants
23. St. Louis Cardinals
24. Los Angeles Angels
25. Minnesota Twins
26. Houston Astros
27. Oakland Athletics
28. Colorado Rockies
29. Miami Marlins
30. Chicago White Sox

Stars of the Week

Hitter of the Week: Jordan Westburg, Baltimore Orioles

Stats: 11-for-23, 2 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 5 R, SB

Lost in the shuffle of high-profile young players like Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson and Jackson Holliday, Westburg is a former top prospect in his own right who has a chance to be a long-term piece of the puzzle for the Orioles. The 25-year-old had a 100 OPS+ and 22 extra-base hits in 228 plate appearances as a rookie last year, and he is off to a terrific start in 2024.

Pitcher of the Week: Tanner Houck, Boston Red Sox

Stats: 1 GS, W, SHO, 9.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 9 K

Houck has been one of the breakout pitchers of the season's first few weeks, posting a 1.35 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and a brilliant 28-to-2 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 26.2 innings over his first four starts. The 27-year-old tossed the first complete game shutout of his career against the Guardians on Wednesday.

Tip of the cap to Phillies lefty Ranger Suárez who also threw a shutout last week.

Rookie of the Week: Jared Jones, Pittsburgh Pirates

Stats: 1 GS, ND, 5.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 7 K

Jones pitched his way into the Pittsburgh rotation with a strong spring, and with a 3.13 ERA, 0.78 WHIP and 32 strikeouts in 23 innings through four starts it looks like he is in the big leagues to stay. The 22-year-old could ultimately team with Mitch Keller and top prospect Paul Skenes to give the Pirates a formidable trio atop the rotation.