theScore's Guide to the 2017 MLB Season

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Major League Baseball is back.

For the first time since 1909 the Chicago Cubs enter the season as defending World Series champions. The North Siders will have a target on their back all year long as they look to become the first team to repeat since the New York Yankees won three straight from 1998-2000.

Here is theScore's guide to the 2017 MLB season:

Opening Day: Sunday, April 2

The regular season officially opens Sunday with a three-game slate. American League East rivals, the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays kick off the 2017 campaign at Tropicana Field.

Twelve games are on the schedule for the following day, with the Miami Marlins-Washington Nationals, and Atlanta Braves-New York Mets opening play in the early afternoon.

theScore Primers All in One Place

AL East | AL Central | AL West
NL East | NL Central | NL West

3 Essential Reads for Opening Day

30 X-factors for the 2017 MLB season

Every Affleck, Damon, and Wahlberg is ready to hand the Red Sox a second straight division title, but with David Ortiz off playing bocce with geriatrics in Boca, it's not exactly a foregone conclusion that Boston's lineup - the best in baseball in 2016 - is going to bash everyone's brains in again. Read More.

Choosing temporary alternative baseball fandom

They aren't going to be that bad, are they? The White Sox traded away superstar pitcher Chris Sale and solid outfielder Adam Eaton during the offseason to refill their farm system with the likes of Yoan Moncada and Lucas Giolito, among others. Rumors of a Jose Quintana trade and the notion that no veteran is safe makes things seem dire. The White Sox are not contending in 2017, but their time will come soon. Read More.

5 teams under the most pressure to win in 2017

The Royals could be a much different team in 2018 as longtime mainstays Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas, and Lorenzo Cain are all set to become free agents. With a payroll just over league average, re-signing them all seems unlikely. Without this core, a rebuild is on the horizon, making 2017 Kansas City's last shot at a mini-dynasty. Read More.

Opening Day Power Rankings

1. Chicago Cubs

The reigning champs - yep, it really happened! - will bring back essentially their entire roster from 2016 save for Aroldis Chapman, whom they replaced with Wade Davis, and they get full seasons from Kyle Schwarber and Willson Contreras. Look out.

2. Cleveland Indians
3. Los Angeles Dodgers
4. Boston Red Sox
5. Washington Nationals

Complete Week 1 Power Rankings here.

6 additional must-read articles

• Projected over/under win totals
• 5 series to watch in April
• Notable records to watch for
• Grading uniform changes
• 10 bold predictions for 2017
• Ranking the Opening Day starters

Staff Picks: Awards, Playoffs, WS

American League

National League

World Series

What are the pundits saying?

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)