The next MLB franchise to win its first World Series will be...

It took the Texas Rangers 63 years to claim their first World Series title in 2023. That leaves five current teams who have yet to win the Fall Classic. In inverse order from least likely to most likely to win a championship first, here are the five franchises seeking that elusive trophy.

5. Colorado Rockies | Established: 1993

It's hard to argue having Colorado in the fifth spot.  The Rockies have made five playoff appearances in 31 years, with their lone NL pennant coming in 2007. Last season, they finished 59-103, the first 100-loss season in franchise history. 

Of all locations, this might be the least-sought landing spot for players. Pitching careers are destroyed by Denver's thin air, while hitters never get evaluated fairly because their home numbers are often considered inflated. (See former Rockies star Todd Helton's numbers home and away, per FansGraphs.) 

The Rockies will likely build around potential stars Nolan Jones, a 25-year-old outfielder, and Ezequiel Tovar, a 22-year-old shortstop.  However, the farm system lacks depth and the pitching will always be an issue at Coors Field. Eight hurlers made 10 or more starts last year and not one had an ERA under five.  

The future in Colorado is bleak.

4. San Diego Padres | Established: 1969

The Padres were supposed to build off their 2022 NLCS run. Instead, they finished 82-80 and missed the postseason in 2023.

Outfielder Juan Soto was traded to the Yankees in December, but San Diego still has quality hitters who could keep this franchise competitive. Their pitching might be decent, but reigning NL Cy Young winner Blake Snell hit free agency and the bottom half of the rotation is questionable.

The odds of a World Series berth anytime soon are slim considering the superior franchises the Padres must overcome in the National League, including their NL West rivals, the Los Angeles Dodgers.  However, as the Rangers found out recently, it's not impossible to win a ring as the underdog.

3. Milwaukee Brewers | Established: 1969

Milwaukee's lone pennant came in 1982, when it played in the American League. The Brewers have reached the playoffs nine times in 55 seasons, with five appearances over the past six campaigns. 

Former ace Corbin Burnes was traded to Baltimore and SP Brandon Woodruff will likely miss 2024 after undergoing shoulder surgery. The Brewers are building around a deep farm system that includes the potential future face of the franchise, 19-year-old outfielder Jackson Chourio. 

A World Series title may not come this year, but given their recent tendency to make the playoffs, the Brewers should have many opportunities to win it all over the next few seasons. 

2. Tampa Bay Rays | Established: 1998

Few understand how Tampa Bay is competitive every year. The Rays have limited resources but amazing player development. Tampa has knocked on the championship door a couple of times, including most recently in a six-game loss to the Dodgers in the 2020 Fall Classic. 

Where this team goes minus SS Wander Franco (administrative leave) is unknown. However, if there's one franchise that excels at roster turnover, it's this AL East squad with five consecutive postseason trips. A World Series ring this year?  Probably not. Before the decade ends? Very possible.

1. Seattle Mariners | Established: 1977

Seattle ended its 21-year playoff drought in 2022 but failed to make the postseason in 2023. For a franchise that has played in the postseason only five times in 47 seasons, it might seem surprising to have the Mariners as the most likely to win their first World Series title.

The future will be built around 23-year-old star center fielder Julio Rodriguez, while the starting rotation — led by 26-year-olds George Kirby and Logan Gilbert — has a talented young corps. Despite recent injuries to the bullpen, the Mariners should be a World Series threat before every other franchise on this list.