Biggest question for every 2017 World Series contender

Mar 29, 2016; Mesa, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs outfielder Kyle Schwarber (left) is congratulated by outfielder Jason Heyward after hitting a home run in the first inning against the Oakland Athletics during a spring training game at Sloan Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

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Spring Training is underway, and each contender for the 2017 World Series – the Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers and more – has questions that must be answered before Opening Day.

Believe it or not, it’s baseball season. Each of the 30 Major League Baseball teams have reported to camp in Florida and Arizona and are in the process of knocking off the offseason rust. There are new teammates to meet, new roles to learn, and the eternal optimism that comes with seeing a 0-0 listed next to every team in the standings.

With each new season comes a great number of questions: How will the newcomers fare? Which prospects are poised to break out? Can a struggling veteran turn his fortunes around? And, of course, which team has what it takes to win the World Series?

According to online sports book Bovada, the top ten contenders at the beginning of the 2017 season are, in order:

Chicago Cubs
Boston Red Sox
Cleveland Indians
Washington Nationals
Los Angeles Dodgers
San Francisco Giants
Houston Astros
New York Mets
Toronto Blue Jays
St. Louis Cardinals

Of course, we’re a long way from October. For now, each of these teams must prepare for a month’s worth of Spring Training games, nervously watch their stars compete in the World Baseball Classic, and then finalize their rosters for the long season ahead.

With that in mind, we take a look at one big question that must be answered by each World Series contending club in order to win the Fall Classic in 2017.

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