MLB: Which Division Winners Won’t Repeat in 2017?
By Matt Weyrich
The six teams that took home MLB division titles last season appear poised to do so again next year. Which division favorite won’t fulfill expectations?
The MLB, like no other major American sport, is a prime example of the constant shifting of power throughout the league. The NFL has seen one Super Bowl in the last thirteen seasons that didn’t feature the likes of Peyton Manning, Tom Brady or Ben Roethlisberger. Over in the NBA, you’ll have to go as far back as 2006 to find an NBA Finals without LeBron James or Kobe Bryant on the floor.
Last year, the Cubs and Indians entered the season without having won a World Series in a combined 175 years. Both teams made it to the Fall Classic. The Giants did have an even year run that they saw come to an end in 2016, but it has been a long time since a dynasty dominated the baseball world.
The Rangers, Indians, Red Sox, Dodgers, Cubs and Nationals all won their divisions last season. They’ve kept the majority of their rosters intact while making blockbuster moves this offseason to make them even better. Yet nothing ever goes as planned in a 162-game season, and at least one of these contenders is likely to miss out on October play.
Which ones won’t be making the postseason in 2017? We’ve ranked them all by least likely to miss the playoffs to the most. This may be the only list the defending champs find themselves at the bottom of all season.