Sports Illustrated's 2015 MLB season preview rankings
The 2015 regular season is almost here; where does your team stand heading into the year? To find out, check out our previews for all 30 teams, as SI.com's MLB experts give the case for and case against each team reaching its potential. In addition, they select an X-factor and a number you need to know, as well as provide a scout's take on the most overrated and underrated player on every roster. And be sure to watch Tom Verducci's video previews for all 30 clubs, in which he breaks down their biggest storylines for the year.
Teams are ranked according to projected record and finish for 2015.
1-6 | 7-12 | 13-18 | 19-24 | 25-30
1. Washington Nationals
WATCH: Verducci's preview
The best rotation in baseball and one of its deepest lineups lead a loaded Nationals team that has the potential to be a 100-win juggernaut.
2. Los Angeles Dodgers
WATCH: Verducci's preview
The Dodgers have the best pitcher in the game and some high-caliber hitters, but will Los Angeles' shaky bullpen be the undoing of its World Series hopes once again?
3. Seattle Mariners
WATCH: Verducci's preview
The Mariners are ready to take the AL West crown for the first time in 14 years behind the power arm of Felix Hernandez and a strong lineup.
4. Los Angeles Angels
WATCH: Verducci's preview
MVP Mike Trout leads an Angels team that had the most wins in MLB last season but has a razor-thin margin for error in 2015.
5. Cleveland Indians
WATCH: Verducci's preview
The Indians' balanced roster and breakout stars in Corey Kluber and Michael Brantley have Cleveland looking like a real title contender.
6. St. Louis Cardinals
WATCH: Verducci's preview
Stop us if you've heard this one before: Once again, the Cardinals are the team to beat in the NL Central.
7. Boston Red Sox
WATCH: Verducci's preview
Worst to first redux? The Red Sox look primed to bounce back from last year's 91-loss debacle and grab the AL East crown.
8. Pittsburgh Pirates
WATCH: Verducci's preview
With a balanced lineup, strong rotation and innovative coaching staff, this could be the year the Pirates break through in the NL Central.
9. Detroit Tigers
WATCH: Verducci's preview
Can Detroit run its streak of AL Central titles to five straight, or will the Tigers' unprecedented span of success finally come to an end?
10. Miami Marlins
WATCH: Verducci's preview
Led by MVP favorite Giancarlo Stanton and an impressive young core, the Marlins have the look of a real contender.
11. San Francisco Giants
WATCH: Verducci's preview
The defending champs return mostly intact for 2015, but the Giants will find the road to a repeat and a fourth World Series title in six years to be a difficult one.
12. Toronto Blue Jays
WATCH: Verducci's preview
Thanks to a rebuilt lineup and some young power arms in the rotation, Toronto is poised to end the majors' longest postseason drought.
13. Chicago White Sox
WATCH: Verducci's preview
The White Sox won the winter, but turning those off-season accolades into on-field success will be a whole new challenge for Chicago.
14. San Diego Padres
WATCH: Verducci's preview
Rebuilt and reloaded for contention, the Padres bring a brand new offense and bolstered rotation into a season with high expectations.
15. Baltimore Orioles
WATCH: Verducci's preview
Last year's surprising AL East champions are out to prove that 2014 was no fluke, but the odds are once again against them.
16. Chicago Cubs
WATCH: Verducci's preview
Armed with a new manager, a top-of-the-rotation starter and a core of super prospects, the Cubs are on the verge of true contention.
17. New York Mets
WATCH: Verducci's preview
Matt Harvey is back to lead a young and talented Mets rotation that will have to overcome a less-than-inspiring offense.
18. Oakland Athletics
WATCH: Verducci's preview
Overhauled once more, the A's will try to stay in the playoff hunt despite a roster that was weakened by an off-season teardown.
19. Kansas City Royals
WATCH: Verducci's preview
Last year was a dream come true for the Royals, but expect some regression from 2014's unexpected American League champions.
20. New York Yankees
WATCH: Verducci's preview
The Yankees could be dangerous, but their old lineup and shaky rotation make them as likely a bet to finish last in the division as to make the playoffs.
21. Tampa Bay Rays
WATCH: Verducci's preview
There are plenty of new faces on the Rays, but not for the best, as all the off-season change and turnover has Tampa Bay headed for a bridge year.
22. Milwaukee Brewers
WATCH: Verducci's preview
With little starting pitching depth and questions in the lineup, the Brewers have only an outside shot at contending in the loaded NL Central.
23. Cincinnati Reds
WATCH: Verducci's preview
The Reds need their offense to be flawless to make up for a rotation that, aside from Johnny Cueto, lacks impact, stability and upside.
24. Texas Rangers
WATCH: Verducci's preview
Last year, injuries decimated the Rangers and ruined their hopes, but unfortunately for Texas, 2015 is already off to a similar start.
25. Houston Astros
WATCH: Verducci's preview
Houston's offense looks powerful, but the Astros' free-swinging ways and thin rotation will make their climb to contention a tough one.
26. Atlanta Braves
WATCH: Verducci's preview
Expect a rough year, especially on offense, for a Braves team that dealt away most of its roster and has its eye on the 2016 season and beyond.
27. Colorado Rockies
WATCH: Verducci's preview
The season hinges on the health of Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez, but will they be enough to lift the Rockies out of their losing ways?
28. Minnesota Twins
WATCH: Verducci's preview
Last year, the Twins were sunk by the worst rotation in baseball. Can this year's revamped Minnesota squad turn that struggle around?
29. Arizona Diamondbacks
WATCH: Verducci's preview
Led by Cuban free-agent signing Yasmany Tomas, Arizona has an all-new look for 2015, but the Diamondbacks have more questions than answers.
30. Philadelphia phillies
WATCH: Verducci's preview
The much-needed rebuild has finally begun in Philadelphia, and the result is going to be a painful and long year for Phillies fans.
