MLB Power Rankings Week 1

How much can change in one week of an MLB season?

Exactly one week since the excitement of Opening Day, our first regular-season rankings of the season offer a reality check for some and reason for hope that this could be the year for others.

Is your favorite team off to a fast start that might — or might not — last, or are you rooting for your squad to pick it up after faltering in its initial matchups?

Either way, our 10-voter panel has combined for an initial order 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, Joon Lee, Jesse Rogers and Alden Gonzalez to weigh in with an early observation for all 30 teams.

Preseason MLB Power Rankings

Record: 3-2

Previous ranking: 1

The finale of the Dodgers’ season-opening road trip could not have been more encouraging. Clayton Kershaw, sidelined during last year’s postseason because of discomfort around his pitching elbow, twirled seven perfect innings on only 80 pitches and looked dominant in doing so. And Cody Bellinger, who batted .165 last year, struggled mightily throughout spring training and was 2-for-14 to start this regular season, picked up two extra-base hits, including a home run. — Gonzalez

Record: 4-2

Previous ranking: 5

The Astros showed no sign of decline this first week despite having turned over a couple of key lineup slots the past two offseasons. The replacements for George Springer, at least so far in 2022, have been Chas McCormick and Jose Siri, and both have been very productive. But the bigger story has been rookie shortstop Jeremy Pena, who is squarely in the spotlight having taken over a position held down emphatically for years by Carlos Correa. Pena had a strong first week at the plate and while he did commit his first big league error in the field, his overall metrics were positive. — Doolittle

Record: 4-2

Previous ranking: 2

Walking…