MLB Confidential
— -- This story appears in ESPN The Magazine's March 30 MLB Preview Issue. Subscribe today!
IT'S AN ODD-NUMBERED year, and you know what that means: A team not named the Giants actually has a shot at winning this year's Fall Classic. So who's up? According to the 117 major leaguers* we polled anonymously, this is the Nationals' World Series to lose. But -- spoiler alert -- players also tagged the Marlins as this season's zeros-to-heroes squad, picking up where the Royals left off. That means the NL East owns the action in 2015, and that's just the beginning of Confidential gems we've uncovered. Read on as we canvass pros on everything from whom they love ( Mike Trout) to whom they'd love to be (Tom Brady).?
Who will win the World Series?
Which team will be the 2014 Royals?
Yes or No: Baseball games are too slow.
Yes or No: I like the idea of a pitch clock.
Yes or No: I like replay.
Who is the best overall player in MLB?
Who is the most overrated player in MLB?
What percentage of players do you think use PEDs?
Yes or No: I'm happy to see Alex Rodriguez back from his yearlong suspension.
You're commissioner for the day. What is the first thing you would do?
Which player would make the most entertaining reality-show star?
"It's Yasiel Puig. He's completely insane. He's got to be up to some wacky stuff. That would be the show to watch." -- American League pitcher
"Didn't Madison Bumgarner bus down his cattle for spring training? And he bought his wife a baby bull as a wedding gift. You're telling me you wouldn't want to watch that?" -- American League pitcher
" Wade Miley. It'd be like Duck Dynasty." -- American League pitcher