MLB Power Rankings Week 7: AL, NL Central teams roll into top 10 - ESPN

While some of the usual players dominate our list, five of our top teams this week are in two unexpected divisions — the AL and NL Central.

Coming into the 2024 season, expectations of success were high for the perennial postseason contenders but not so much for some of the clubs in the Central divisions. However, through seven weeks, the Guardians are tied with the Braves for the fifth best run differential in MLB, the Royals' offense has put more than 200 runs on the board and the Brewers have scored the third-most runs in the majors.

Can these squads stay on a roll as we get deeper into the season?

Our expert panel has combined to rank every team in baseball based on a combination of what we've seen so far and what we already knew going into the 162-game marathon that is a full baseball season. We also asked ESPN MLB experts David Schoenfield, Bradford Doolittle, Jesse Rogers, Alden Gonzalez and Jorge Castillo to weigh in with an observation for all 30 teams.

Week 6 | Preseason rankings

Record: 29-16
Previous ranking: 1

Shohei Ohtani nearly produced a «Splash Hit» at Oracle Park in a 10-2 victory over the division rival Giants on Tuesday, the Dodgers' fifth consecutive win against them this season. It traveled 446 feet. «Barry territory,» as Dodgers manager and former Barry Bonds teammate Dave Roberts put it. By the end of the night, Ohtani's slash line stood at .361/.427/.680, his 1.108 OPS leading the major leagues but just barely ahead of teammate Mookie Betts'. The top half of the Dodgers' lineup has been an absolute force, but lately it's their pitching that has been arguably most impressive. The Dodgers have held opponents to four runs or less in every game this month. — Gonzalez

Record: 31-13
Previous ranking: 2