MLB 2024: Handing out April grades for all 30 teams - ESPN

As the old saying goes, you can't win a pennant in April, but you can lose it. That might be the case for the bottom team on our list of first-month grades.

For the most part, we haven't learned a whole lot yet:

We knew the Braves, Dodgers and Orioles were going to be good, and they have been. We knew the White Sox and Rockies were going to be bad, and they have been. The best stories have been the teams off to surprising starts — and, unsurprisingly, they earn our top marks.

Let's check in on all 30 teams and hand out grades, which we've weighted against preseason expectations while factoring in how and whom they've played.

Record: 19-9

Here's a good sign: The Guardians have already received nine home runs from their outfielders. No, that's not going to erase memories of Albert Belle, Manny Ramirez and Kenny Lofton, but Cleveland received just 18 home runs all last season from its outfield. Josh Naylor is bashing, Steven Kwan is raking, and the team is hitting .306 with runners in scoring position. With Shane Bieber out with Tommy John surgery and Gavin Williams still injured, the Guardians are scrambling a bit in the rotation, but they're scoring runs, and the bullpen is protecting leads. Are they for real? The run differential is legitimate. They've crushed the A's (6-1, plus-33 runs), but they're 5-2 against Boston and took a series in Seattle. The rotation will be tested, and I doubt the offense will finish second in the American League in runs — which is where they currently sit — but the AL Central is wide open.

Record: 17-11

Let's see: Trade Corbin Burnes, lose Brandon Woodruff for the season, see your manager jump to your division rival, have your All-Star closer go down before the season begins with stress