MLB: Unexpected Contenders for the 2017 Season
By Matt Meffe
Every year, there are MLB teams that surprise us all. Some surprises are positive, and others are negative. Here, we take a look at three teams that may positively surprise us all as contenders in 2017.
Every year, we see the same familiar faces battling to get into the MLB playoffs. On the East Coast, the Yankees are the most consistent team, as they usually finish with a winning record and are constantly in playoff contention. You also have the consistent Nationals. In the Midwest, we usually see the Cardinals, Tigers and Rangers all competing as contenders. On the West Coast, you have the Dodgers and Giants usually battling it out for a spot. Over the past few years, some other teams have joined the fray. These teams are set to be contenders over the next few years. The Cubs and their young hitting, the Mets and their young pitching, and the Astros and their all-around young team have all joined the equation. Combine them with the resurgent Mariners and the sneaky Baltimore Orioles and Kansas City Royals, and you have a whole mess of contenders.
However, these teams may also be joined by some surprise teams in 2017. During the offseason, some teams made silent progress. While it may not be enough to win a World Series, it could be enough to at least make a significant impact. These teams will be competing in tough divisions against tough opponents. However, they do have the tools to put up a decent fight. As a result, look for some of these teams to be contenders during the 2017 season.