When the 2015 season ended, the Kansas City Royals were celebrating their first World Series title since 1985. After a busy offseason across baseball, will the Royals open 2016 on top of our rankings? The rankings were determined by a group of ESPN.com writers, and we're continuing with teams Nos. 20-11. One note -- while the rankings were voted on by a panel, the projected rankings and division standing were determined by ESPN Insider Dan Szymborski using his ZiPS system, so not all of them line up.
The latest World Series odds come courtesy of Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook.
More previews: Nos. 30-21 | Coming Thursday: Nos. 10-1
Chicago White Sox
Projected record: 83-79 (tied for second in AL Central)
World Series odds: 30-1
The stalwarts are as good as ever: Jose Abreu (66 HRs over the past two seasons) powers the offense. Chris Sale, last year's strikeout leader with 274, and Jose Quintana are an unheralded one-two punch capable of doing serious damage -- if only the defense can help the cause and Quintana can get just a tiny bit of run support (last year he averaged just 3.57 runs, seventh lowest in MLB). -- Doug Padilla
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Seattle Mariners
Projected record: 82-80 (second in AL West)
World Series odds: 30-1
Can Robinson Cano continue the momentum that raised his OPS from .660 to .926 in the second half of last season? And are the Mariners ever going to start scoring enough runs to back up King Felix Hernandez and become true contenders? -- Jim Caple
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Tampa Bay Rays
Projected record: 80-82 (fifth in AL East)
World Series odds: 40-1
The Rays have a shot to compete in 2016 for the same reasons they have a shot every year: a talented rotation backed by an above-average defense. Ace Chris Archer (10.7 K/9, second in AL) leads a stable of under-30 starters, with backup from top prospect Blake Snell and Alex Cobb, who figures to return midseason. -- Tommy Rancel
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Cleveland Indians
Projected record: 84-78 (first in AL Central)
World Series odds: 16-1
Despite offensive troubles (11th in the AL in scoring), the Indians have a young rotation that could be one of MLB's best: Carlos Carrasco posted the second half's third-highest strikeout rate by an everyday starter (behind two guys named Kershaw and Strasburg), and he'll pitch behind 2014 Cy Young winner Corey Kluber.-- Christina Kahrl
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Los Angeles Angels
Projected record: 80-82 (fourth in AL West)
World Series odds: 40-1
Mike Trout alone can carry the offense again, but the Angels will make the playoffs only if the rotation has a monster year. That largely depends on whether Garrett Richards, whose 2015 was hindered by knee issues, can return to ace status and whether Andrew Heaney (3.49 ERA) can follow up on a promising rookie campaign. -- David Schoenfield
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Detroit Tigers
Projected record: 83-79 (tied for second in AL Central)
World Series odds: 25-1
GM Al Avila improved the club's pitching depth, adding free agents Jordan Zimmermann and Mike Pelfrey, and bolstered the bullpen with bona fide closer Francisco Rodriguez. Offensively, the Tigers' lineup remains one of the best in baseball, featuring five former or current All-Stars. -- Katie Strang
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Arizona Diamondbacks
Projected record: 82-80 (third in NL West)
World Series odds: 25-1
The Diamondbacks are trying to build on last season's momentum, adding Zack Greinke (9.3 WAR in '15) and Shelby Miller (3.6) to a pitching staff that was worth just 7.7 WAR total last year. That's backed up by a defense that led the majors in defensive runs saved, thanks in part to Gold Glove center fielder A.J. Pollock (second in NL in hits with 192), whose ascension to five-tool MVP candidate is real. -- Eric Longenhagen
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New York Yankees
Projected record: 84-78 (tied for second in AL East)
World Series odds: 16-1
Last year the Yanks made the playoffs on the backs of the old-timers, but expecting them to perform at that level again is a tall order. The pitching is fraught with issues, from Masahiro Tanaka's elbow to CC Sabathia's alcohol rehabilitation to Aroldis Chapman's suspension for domestic violence. -- Andrew Marchand
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Washington Nationals
Projected record: 86-76 (tied for first in NL East)
World Series odds: 14-1
An 83-79 finish last season was basically a disaster. But the Nats were still the third-highest-scoring team in the NL, with a Pythagorean win-loss record of a much kinder 89-73. And they do have that kid Bryce Harper (MLB-best 9.9 WAR, MVP award). -- Eddie Matz
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Pittsburgh Pirates
Projected record: 85-77 (third in NL Central)
World Series odds: 20-1
October failures shouldn't obscure the big picture: Pittsburgh is a top-tier franchise with arguably the game's best outfield (Gregory Polanco led outfielders in double plays turned last season and might have more pure talent than superstar Andrew McCutchen) and the NL's best bullpen (MLB-low 2.67 ERA). -- Jayson Stark
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More previews: Nos. 30-21