2015 World Series Odds & Predictions: World Series Favorites and Contenders

2015 World Series Odds & Predictions: World Series Favorites and Contenders: The 2015 MLB season is just underway, and while the 162-game season has only just begun, it is never too early to take a look at the frontrunners for the World Series. While many of the contenders from last season are once again primed to make a run at a championship, there are also some teams that have made moves this offseason to turn themselves into legit contenders. With that in mind, here is a closer look at the top World Series candidates for the 2015 season. Also, remember to visit daily throughout the MLB season for updated odds to win the 2015 World Series.

2015 World Series Odds and Predictions – Breaking Down the World Series Favorites and Contenders

The Favorites

They added ace Max Scherzer to an already loaded rotation, and the Washington Nationals have all the pieces in place to win the World Series in 2015. After all, Doug Fister is the team’s No. 5 starter, and he is coming off a year when he went 16-6 with a 2.41 ERA. The lineup is solid, as well. Anthony Rendon and Ian Desmond have already arrived as studs, and Bryce Harper has a chance to be better than both of them. Meanwhile, Ryan Zimmerman provides a steady, veteran bat in the middle of the lineup.

After just missing out on the postseason last year, the Seattle Mariners went out and added a much needed big bat in the middle of their lineup this offseason in Nelson Cruz. He will team with Robinson Cano and Kyle Seager to form a solid middle of the order that should provide more than enough offense for a stout rotation. Felix Hernandez and Hisashi Iwakuma anchor the staff, and Taijuan Walker joins the mix with ace-caliber stuff himself. A more balanced Seattle team will be a more dangerous team in 2015.

A World Series continues to escape the Los Angeles Dodgers, but the front office made several offseason moves to try to get the team over the hump in 2015. The veteran bats of Jimmy Rollins and Howie Kendrick join a lineup that already features Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford and Yasiel Puig. The Dodgers also have rookie outfielder Joc Pederson as an intriguing X-factor. Of course, the team’s success still starts with pitching where Clayton Kershaw and Zach Greinke continue to anchor a solid staff while flamethrower Kenley Jansen takes care of the ninth inning.

The Contenders

The Pittsburgh Pirates have become a staple of the postseason the last couple of years, and this year’s club could be the best yet. They have a perennial MVP contender in Andrew McCutchen anchoring their lineup, and fellow outfielders Starling Marte and Gregory Polanco have major upside themselves. The rotation isn’t dominant, but it should be better thanks to the return of A.J. Burnett and a more experienced Gerrit Cole. There is no reason that the Pirates shouldn’t be better across the board than the team that made the playoffs a year ago.

Losing Max Scherzer hurts, but the Detroit Tigers are still the class of the AL Central and a legit threat to win the World Series. After all, the rotation still includes David Price, Anibal Sanchez and Justin Verlander. Meanwhile, the lineup has plenty of pop with a healthy Miguel Cabrera being joined by Ian Kinsler, Victor Martinez and Yoenis Cespedes. The Tigers run as a perennial contender isn’t over yet

They seem to contend every year regardless of their roster, and the St. Louis Cardinals once again have a balanced roster that should put them in the mix. The rotation is led by ace Adam Wainwright, and Lance Lynn, John Lackey and Michael Wacha provide plenty of depth. The lineup features stalwarts Matt Holliday, Matt Carpenter and Yadier Molina, and the addition of Jason Heyward and expanded roles for Matt Adams and Kolten Wong should only bolster the offense. The Cardinals aren’t going away this year.

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