Hot starts out of gate

It’s a very small sample size, but perhaps it’s not too early in the 2021 MLB season to start reading into everything. While the Dodgers and Padres burst out of the gates as expected, other presumed contenders such as the Yankees, Rays and Mets have stumbled. Meanwhile, the Angels and Reds have vastly outperformed preseason predictions, and the Astros are cementing themselves as a team to fear in the American League. The first in- season power rankings of the year always provides some oddities, so take a look at how USA TODAY Sports’ sevenperson panel voted:

LW Comments by Jesse Yomtov

Looks like the Dodgers have finally taken the training wheels off Julio Urias ( 2- 0, 12.2 IP).

Hometown kid Joe Musgrove throws the franchise’s first no- hitter.

Carlos Correa ( 12- for- 36) begins his contract year in a big way.

Mike Soroka, rehabbing from Achilles injury, now dealing with a shoulder issue.

New shortstop Andrelton Simmons ( 10- for- 27) off to a great start.

Corey Kluber trying to shake off the rust: 6.1 IP with five BB, 10 H, four ER in first two starts.

Randy Arozarena starts 2021 with an eight- game hitting streak.

Jonathan India, who had never played above Class AA, turning heads: .379 BA, 11 RBI in eight games. Yermin Mercedes ( 15- for- 28) has become the everyday DH. 19 All Jared Walsh does is hit: .385 BA, 3 HRs, 9 RBI in 8 games. Dylan Carlson homered three times in his first six games of 2021.

Jacob deGrom gave up one run in 14 innings and the Mets lost his first two starts. This club has itself a future closer in Emmanuel Clase. Manager Craig Counsell trying hard to get at- bats for all the outfielders.

Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler are one of baseball’s best 1- 2 punches.

J. D. Martinez becomes the fifth player with 3- HR games for three teams.

George Springer was nearing return from an oblique issue and now has a quad strain.

The team’s chances are going to hinge on Stephen Strasburg’s ability to stay healthy.

Trevor Rosenthal will miss a subs tansie889tialpe rio d of time after having surgery.

15 Through nine games, had an MLB- worst .167 batting average. Couple of strong starts from Johnny Cueto: 2.51 ERA, 14 K in 14.1 IP.

20 Jazz Chisholm’s first MLB homer comes off deGrom.

Whit Merrifield ( 11- for- 28, 10 RBI in first 7 games) isn’t slowing down anytime soon.

Through 10 games: 17- for- 95 (. 179) with runners in scoring position.

Mitch Haniger off to a strong start after missing nearly two full years.

29 John Means starts the season with two stellar outings. Ryan McMahon proving he’s an everyday player: 12- for- 37, 5 HRs in 10 games.

Miguel Cabrera – 12 homers from 500 – heads to the IL with biceps strain.

First baseman Nate Lowe had 14 RBI in the season’s first five games and none in the next four. J. T. Brubaker gave up only two runs in his first two starts.

NEVILLE E. GUARD/ USA TODAY SPORTS Mookie Betts and the Dodgers are out to become the first to win back- to- back World Series titles in more than two decades.