If you mean in any given series, then kinda. A 30-40% chance of getting upset is a pretty big number. If you mean by winning it all, then no, not really. The Cards and Red Sox both had the best records in their league last year. The last team that happened(top records meeting in the WS) was 1999. The key, it really is important to field the best team possible. Easier to make the playoffs in the first place. Easier to withstand setbacks along the way. Doesn't leave you desperate to make costly additions when you are barely on the cusp. Gives you the advantage if any individual playoff matchup. This goes back to my hatred of MacPhail's (maybe a Lynch quote, but pretty sure it was MacPhail) goal to "competing within the division", which to me was way too low of a goal. You have to expect setbacks, and falling short of competing within your division more likely than not means you will fall way short of competing with the rest of the league.