Major League Baseball opens the 2017 season this weekend with no shortage of compelling storylines. Here are some of the more intriguing questions that will be answered over the next seven months:

1. Can the Cubs repeat?

After waiting 108 years between World Series titles, the term “long-suffering” no longer applies to Cubs fans. But whether last year’s parade through Wrigleyville and Grant Park celebration — which drew an estimated 5 million people — is repeated this November will depend largely on Chicago’s aging starting rotation. Nearly everything went perfectly for the Cubs in 2016 in that regard, with four of the five regulars — Jon Lester, Jake Arrieta, Kyle Hendricks and Jason Hammel — making at least 30 starts. The fifth, John Lackey, started 29 games. That good fortune seems unlikely to repeat itself, which should give hope to Chicago’s National League Central Division rivals, the Cardinals and the Pirates, as well as the Dodgers, whom the Cubs knocked off in six games in the National League Championship Series.

Oh, and the Cubs also have some history working against them: Only one National League team — the 1975-76 Cincinnati Reds — has repeated as World Series champs in the last 95 years. But then again, curses are made to be broken, aren’t they?

2. Who has the edge in the American League?

As the season opens, there are two clear favorites in the American League: The Cleveland Indians and the Boston Red Sox. The Indians made quick work of the Sox in last season’s American League Division Series, and after the early exit, Boston responded accordingly. General Manager Dave Dombrowski pulled out all the stops to acquire White Sox ace Chris Sale. The Sox now boast one of the most intimidating rotations in baseball, with Sale backed by David Price and reigning Cy Young winner Rick Porcello. It’s not without its question marks though. Price will open the season on the disabled list, and it’s unknown when — or if — he’ll be returning.

While the Sox added a premier arm, the Indians landed the best bat on the market, signing Edwin Encarnacion to a three-year deal. Cleveland’s rotation limped into last year’s playoffs, but they’ve returned to full health. Andrew Miller and Cody Allen are still the main attractions in one of the best bullpens in baseball, and with Terry Francona calling the shots, the Tribe isn’t a team that’ll be mismanaged. Cleveland was an inning away from winning the World Series, and they look like they’ve gotten better. The fate of the American League will likely be determined by the next question.

3. Can the Red Sox replace David Ortiz?

Ortiz’s retirement leaves a black hole in the middle of the Red Sox lineup, and Dombrowski didn’t address it conventionally. The Sox are losing 38 home runs, 127 RBI and their undisputed clubhouse leader. Boston passed on signing Encarnacion, the player Ortiz suggested to replace him, and instead inked Mitch Moreland. They’re essentially trying to replace Ortiz with Sale.

By acquiring Sale and not going after a bat, the Sox acknowledged that they won’t be scoring as many runs this year, but they also won’t be giving up as many. It’s an unorthodox strategy, but the Sox ran away with the MLB lead in runs scored last season. It appears Dombrowski thought they had some to spare.

As far as the lineup goes, they’ll replace the slugger by committee. Hanley Ramirez will slide into the designated hitter role, and the Sox will be counting on him to put together another productive season. Meanwhile, the hope is that the young corps of Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts and Jackie Bradley Jr. continue on an upward trajectory, and that Pablo Sandoval can be something resembling the player he was in San Francisco.

4. Who is baseball’s best young shortstop?

The game is once again being transformed at one of its premium positions by what USA Today calls “the best crop of young shortstops” in its history. So singling out one of them is more a matter of taste than objectivity. Do you like power? The Dodgers’ Corey Seager, who ran away with the National League Rookie of the Year award and finished third in the MVP voting, is your guy. How about a reliable switch hitter who can play Gold Glove-caliber defense? The Indians present to you Francisco Lindor, who seems destined to be the face of their franchise for years to come. Perhaps an offensive talent in the mold of Cal Ripken or Alex Rodriguez? Houston’s Carlos Correa seems poised to occupy an All-Star roster spot for most of the next decade.

5. Has the game ever been better?

Last season, you had the franchises with the two longest championship droughts — a combined 176 years — meeting in what became one of the most compelling World Series in a generation. It made for terrific theater and massive TV ratings (the highest since 2004).

As a business, baseball’s bottom line has never been healthier. MLB has posted record gross revenues for 14 straight years — with that figure approaching $10 billion last season, according to Forbes.

But there are issues to be confronted: pace of play, a need to streamline the instant replay process, and an ongoing debate about the strike zone may hamper efforts to attract more casual fans. Commissioner Rob Manfred, entering his third season on the job, has said efforts to “modernize” the game will continue, with actions like a pitch clock in the minor leagues and proposals to slice time between half-innings receiving additional scrutiny.

North Andover, Massachusetts Eagle-Tribune reporter Chris Mason contributed to this story.