Countdown to Opening Day - 10: Playoff Predictions

In this 30-day series, theScore's MLB editors will preview the 2015 season with an in-depth look at some of the significant numbers - statistical milestones, jersey numbers and general miscellanea - poised to pop up throughout the campaign.

It was a pair of wild-card teams that fought for a World Series championship five months ago, but will we see the same trend again in 2015?

The Nationals appear to be the odds-on favorite to win the NL East this year, and barring injury should be the National League representative in the World Series. The American League is wide open; could this finally be the year for the Seattle Mariners?

Our MLB editors - Jonah Birenbaum, Greg Warren, Chris Toman, Brandon Wile, Darren Kritzer and Dan Toman - predict the 10 playoff teams that will do battle for the World Series in 2015.

AL East

The Orioles lost Nick Markakis and Nelson Cruz to free agency, but a healthy Manny Machado and Matt Wieters, combined with a bounce-back season from slugger Chris Davis, should be more than enough to compensate. Baltimore's starting rotation, which lacks true star power, is the most underrated in the league. - Greg Warren

AL Central

Down an ace and facing injury concerns to their two best hitters, the Tigers' path to claiming a fifth consecutive Central crown will present more challenges than in years past. The restocked White Sox made a division that's on the upswing even more competitive, but Detroit remains flush with star talent both on the mound and throughout its lineup. - Chris Toman

AL West

The Mariners complimented the best rotation in the division with some more offense with the acquisitions of Seth Smith and last year's home run leader, Nelson Cruz. After missing out on the postseason by a single game last season, the Mariners head into the year as one of the most complete teams in the American League. - Brandon Wile

AL Wild Card

The additions of Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval to a lineup already featuring the likes of David Ortiz and Dustin Pedroia will have no trouble scoring runs, but without a true ace on the staff, the Red Sox seem destined for a playoff berth via the wild card. - Darren Kritzer

NL East

With Max Scherzer poised to join a rotation already evocative of the 1971 Baltimore Orioles and a lineup rife with burgeoning stars and devoid of obvious weakness, the only question that remains for the Nationals is how they'll fare in the postseason after securing a second successive division title. - Jonah Birenbaum

NL Central

The Cubs hogged the offseason spotlight, while the Pirates are eyeing a third straight playoff appearance. But the Cardinals, deep in pitching and packing upside, haven't left their perch yet. Adding Jason Heyward was one of the best pickups of the offseason and gives the defending Central champs a two-way player who will strengthen an already strong lineup. - Chris Toman

NL West

The Dodgers made the two best pickups of the offseason when they hired saber executives Andrew Friedman and Farhan Zaidi, who wasted no time in retooling MLB's most expensive roster. Once the dust settled, the Dodgers emerged stronger up the middle, more balanced behind the plate and deeper in starting pitching. Not bad for a 94-win team. - Dan Toman

NL Wild Card

The Padres completely reworked their roster by boosting the offense with Matt Kemp, Justin Upton and Wil Myers, while complimenting one of the best rotations in the National League by signing James Shields. Having the benefit of playing the lowly Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks a combined 38 times should lead to postseason baseball in San Diego for the first time since 2006. - Brandon Wile

World Series

After two early exits in three years, the Nationals know it doesn't always pay to have the best team on paper. Not that it stopped them from dropping $210 million this winter on another ace. The right side of the infield looks better, Bryce Harper's forearms look bigger and that rotation looks even nastier. If you can't win with these guys, who can you win with? - Dan Toman