Heading into next season, the Vegas oddsmakers have rightfully pegged the Chicago Cubs as the sole favorites to win the World Series and repeat their historic 2016 run.

Amongst the heaviest front-runners to take home the hardware are the Red Sox, Dodgers, and Nationals, followed relatively closely by the second-tier made up of the Indians, Mets, Blue Jays, Giants, Astros, and Rangers.

Sounds about right.

Of course, there is always a dark horse team who can run the table, shocking the baseball world en route to a World Series title.

Here are five teams that have the best chance to play this year's David as they take on the Goliaths of the MLB.

5. Seattle Mariners

Odds: 25/1

One of the greatest surprises of the 2016 season, the Seattle Mariners just barely missed the Wild Card game in the American League. With a final record of 86-76, good enough for second place in a stacked AL West, the Mariners put together a season that has them trending in the right direction heading into next season.

Seattle will have a tough divisional slate to muck through, but ultimately, they control their own destiny. If they play well against Texas and Houston, the Mariners can hang in the division long enough to make a September push.

They also possess one of the best lineups in the game, with sluggers such as Robinson Cano, Nelson Cruz, and Kyle Seager leading the way. These veterans will have to carry the load, but the supporting cast has dramatically improved.

With one of the most reliable bullpens in the majors, Seattle will also head into next season touting a lock-down closer in Edwin Diaz.

The pitching staff still needs some patchwork, but the Mariners have as good of a chance to compete with the big dogs as any other team in the majors.

4. Pittsburgh Pirates

Odds: 30/1

The Andrew McCutchen trade drama hasn't died down just yet, but lost in the shuffle is the fact that the Pirates have a very competitive roster heading into next season. As always.

Finishing below .500 last season, the Pirates were a letdown in the NL Central. Pittsburgh battled the season-long injury bug and failed to, at any point, cement themselves as a legitimate contender, causing the front office to consider hitting the "panic" button this offseason.

Fortunately for the Pirates, they haven't just yet.

Instead, they re-signed Ivan Nova to bolster their young core of potential aces in Jameson Taillon, Tyler Glasnow, Chad Kuhl, and of course, Gerritt Cole.

Pittsburgh's bullpen leaves much more to be desired, but what they lack in pitching, they make up for at the plate. The trio of Andrew McCutchen, Starling Marte, and Gregory Polanco is arguably the best outfield in the entire league.

If rookie first baseman Josh Bell can bring his minor league success to the majors this season, the Pirates have a solid chance to steal a Wild Card berth from several other contenders and start the wild ride through a crowded field.

3. New York Yankees

Odds: 25/1

Has there ever been a team with a more positive identity crisis than the current New York Yankees?

Sellers at last season's trade deadline, the Yankees surprised themselves when they started playing playoff-caliber baseball after they shipped Andrew Miller, Aroldis Chapman, and Carlos Beltran off to other playoff contenders.

This season, the Bombers will try to figure out how to develop their incredibly young talent while balancing a legitimate chance to compete for the AL pennant.

Gary Sanchez and Aaron Judge, two potential stars, mix into a lineup that features many seasoned veterans throughout. Matt Holliday slotting back into a DH role will hopefully result in a healthy 2017 campaign.

The starting pitching is nothing to write home about, but will have to suffice long enough for the lethal combination of Aroldis Chapman and Dellin Betances to enter games.

Although they're a bit of a mystery, the Pinstripes have enough talent to, at the very least, repeat their 2015 season en route to a Wild Card finish. And who'd bet against them if they got in?

2. Miami Marlins

Odds: 40/1

The Marlins' 2016 season was marred by the tragic death of Jose Fernandez, the only ace that the Fish had on their roster.

With $325 million already on the books for slugger Giancarlo Stanton, the Marlins front office played it safe this offseason and executed band-aid moves to ensure similar success to last year's 79-82 record. With an offseason focus on signing reliable relievers and good-enough starters, Miami will be fielding a competitor once again in 2017.

The outfield combination of Marcell Ozuna, Christian Yelich, and Giancarlo Stanton will rightfully be expected to carry the load next year, but the Marlins are an all-around team. Despite being absent from the spotlight, catcher J.T. Realmuto and first baseman Justin Bour provide terrific stability and pop in the lineup. Adeiny Hechavarria and Dee Gordon blend together as an admirable duo both in the field and at the plate.

The Marlins pitching is actually not that bad at all; they do, however, glaringly lack an ace.

Taking the division will be near-impossible, but if the Marlins stay healthy and continue to improve on last year's record, they possess the stability that a team with 40/1 odds needs to win the World Series.

1. St. Louis Cardinals