Ben Verlander, a FOX Sports MLB Analyst, recently ranked the ten best teams in baseball after the first 10 games of the 2024 MLB season. The Boston Red Sox, with a record of 7-3, claimed the 10th spot after a successful six-game series in California. Despite facing a setback with Trevor Story’s shoulder injury, the Red Sox’s starting pitching and offensive performance have been better than expected. The Milwaukee Brewers, with a 6-2 record, secured the 9th position with strong showings from catcher William Contreras. The Pittsburgh Pirates, surprising many with an 8-2 record, tied for the best record in baseball after strong performances from various players and their starting rotation.
The Cleveland Guardians, currently 7-2, experienced a setback with Shane Bieber suffering a season-ending elbow injury, but the team’s offense has been performing well. The Philadelphia Phillies, with a record of 4-5, have shown strong individual performances from Bryce Harper and Zack Wheeler, leading them toward potentially being a playoff team. Despite suffering losses to the Pirates over the weekend, the Baltimore Orioles are better than their record indicates, with stellar pitching from Corbin Burnes and Grayson Rodriguez. The defending champion Texas Rangers, at 6-3, have started the season strong behind the performance of Corey Seager and Nathan Eovaldi.
The New York Yankees, currently 8-2, have received significant contributions from newcomers Juan Soto and Marcus Stroman, leading to their strong start. The Los Angeles Dodgers, with an 8-4 record, have seen their lineup perform as expected, with five out of six hitters boasting an OPS above .900. Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto have also been impactful additions. Sitting at the top of the rankings are the Atlanta Braves, with a 6-2 record. Despite potential concerns over Spencer Strider’s injury, the Braves have shown strength with Chris Sale’s performance and a lineup that has shown no signs of regression.
In conclusion, the early games of the 2024 MLB season have showcased a mix of surprises and expected performances from teams across the league. Despite injuries and setbacks, certain teams have displayed strong pitching and hitting, propelling them to the top of the rankings. As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how these early performances shape the overall standings and playoff race in Major League Baseball.
