The 2016 Major League Baseball (MLB) season ended with the Chicago Cubs winning their first World Series since 1908, breaking the famous “Curse of the Billy Goat” and ending the longest championship drought in North American professional sports. However, with the opening games taking place on Sunday, April 3 and Monday, April 4,new contenders look into take the crown away from the Cubs.

The Cleveland Indians were one game away from taking home the 2016 WorldSeries after earning a 3-1 series lead. However, after dropping the next three games, the Indians became the owners of the longest championship drought in North American professional sports. Behind Corey Kluber, who earned third place in voting for the American League Cy Young award, the highest award for a pitcher besides the Most Valuable Player award (MVP), and 2016 American League Manager of the Year Terry Francona, the Indians aim to win the championship in 2017.

Although the Indians are aiming to win the World Series this year, the Cubs are preparing to win the title for a second straight year. Armed with 2016 National League MVP Kris Bryant and World Series MVP Ben Zobrist, the team will try to become repeat champions despite losing outfield Dexter Fowler to the rival St. Louis Cardinals.

While last year’s World Series contenders look to get back in the race this year, other teams are looking to take their spots. The Los Angeles Dodgers and the 2016 National League Manager of the Year Dave Roberts look to take the National League’s World Series bid away from the Cubs while 2016

National League Cy Young winner Max Scherzer and the Nationals look to defeat the competition. In the American League, the Boston Red Sox acquired Chicago White Sox pitcher Chris Sale, who finished third in the American League Cy Young voting in 2014.

Pairing Sale with 2016 American League Cy Young winner Rick Porcello look to win the World Series this year after being ousted by the Indians last year.

The season may just be beginning, but there are plenty of storylines for baseball fans to follow for the next seven months, as the 2017 season of America’s pastime has just begun.