World Series 2012: Giants Lead Group of Favorites to Win 2013 Fall Classic

The San Francisco Giants became the fourth team this century to win multiple World Series titles on Sunday when they swept the Detroit Tigers, but what are the chances that they make it to the 2013 Fall Classic and become the first repeat champions since 2000?

You have to give them a great chance because of their pitching, but the Giants aren't the only team that has the ingredients for a World Series run.

Let's take an early look at the favorites to win the 2013 World Series.

New York Yankees

The Yankees have to be one of the favorites in the American League after battling injuries to key players, especially future Hall of Fame closer Mariano Rivera, and still advancing to the ALCS this season.

General manager Brian Cashman needs to strengthen the bullpen and figure out Alex Rodriguez's future, but the Yankees already have most of the pieces needed for a championship run.

The Yankees offense was dominant this season, finishing second in runs, eighth in batting average and first in slugging percentage. The team's pitching will need to improve next season, and the starting pitchers need to be more consistent, but the Yankees are just as talented as any team in the league.

If they make a few additions and don't have to deal with injuries to key players in the playoffs again (Derek Jeter this year, for example), the Yankees will once again be a top World Series contender.

Detroit Tigers

It's going to take a few months for the Tigers to get over this year's World Series loss, but this team is set up for several more deep postseason runs in the years to come.

The team's pitching is solid, and even though Justin Verlander struggled against the Giants, he is still the best starter in baseball.

Jim Leyland's team will score a ton of runs again next season when Prince Fielder enters his sophomore season with the club and Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera continues his consistently strong performance at the plate.

Detroit finished the regular season seventh in slugging percentage, sixth in average and 11th in runs scored. The Tigers don't need to make too many improvements, but finding a more reliable closer and another bat would be two useful moves.

The Tigers are one of the most talented teams in baseball and will enter next season as the favorites to win the American League unless the Yankees or another team makes a significant move to bolster its roster.

Washington Nationals

The Nationals took the next step in their development this season, becoming legitimate contenders. They will be expected to repeat as NL East Division champions and win a playoff series in 2013, and there's no reason they should fail to reach this goal with the pitching talent and depth on their roster.

Washington finished the season ranked second in ERA, second in BAA, fourth in strikeouts and fifth in saves. Any team with pitching this good will be a contender, and it also helps that the NL East is not a strong division with the New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies and Miami Marlins all struggling this season.

After finishing 10th in runs scored, eighth in home runs and ninth in batting average, Washington proved that it was one of the most balanced teams in baseball this year.

The Nationals are a young team, and this year's playoff experience will benefit them tremendously moving forward. As young pitchers Gio Gonzalez and Stephen Strasburg and outfielder Bryce Harper keep improving, Washington will be a World Series contender next season and for many years to come.

San Francisco Giants

The Giants have to be the favorites to win the World Series next year after their phenomenal sweep of the Tigers on Sunday night.

This team has four really good starting pitchers in Matt Cain, Madison Bumgarner, Ryan Vogelsong and Barry Zito. If Tim Lincecum returns to his Cy Young form of a few years ago, the Giants will have the best starting rotation in baseball next season.

The Giants have the swagger and determination of a champion, and they proved that this postseason when they won six straight elimination games, which tied the record set by the 1985 Kansas City Royals. San Francisco also won four straight elimination games on the road, which is another remarkable accomplishment.

With an amazing rotation and a deep bullpen, the Giants will be the favorites to win the National League again next season.

This is a roster built for playoff success, and even though they don't have a scary lineup, the Giants have several hitters, such as star catcher Buster Posey, who can be clutch and win a game with one swing of the bat.

Expect the Giants' success to continue into 2013 as they enter next season with the best chance of any team to win the World Series.

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