Who can Theo Epstein help end a drought next?

Theo Epstein is 42 years old and he's already built World Series champions for arguably the two longest-suffering (or at least loudest-suffering) fan bases in the United States.

He seems like an ambitious fellow, so if he is looking for another project there are plenty to choose from — particularly if he's willing to branch out to other sports.

For now, let's take a look at 10 franchises next in line to have their "curses" broken, following in the recent footsteps of the Cavaliers and Cubs:

1. Cleveland Indians: Maybe we're dealing with some recency bias here, but Cleveland is two days removed from being one hit away from winning a World Series. You have to think this team could have a Royals-esque season awaiting in 2017, going from near-miss to champion for the first time since 1964.

2. Minnesota Vikings: Your purple would have been No. 1 a couple of weeks ago, but let's not let two (very) bad weeks make us forget the Vikings are 5-2 and still would have a first-round bye if the regular season ended right now. In a wide-open NFC, they are still a legit Super Bowl contender. You might be aware Minnesota has never won the Super Bowl.

3. Houston Astros: Just like Cleveland, Houston opened at 12-1 odds to win the 2017 World Series (yes, those odds are out already). The Astros could be the next version of the Cubs, albeit with ''only'' a half-century instead of a full century of championship drought.

4. Philadelphia Eagles: Philly won the NFL title in 1960. Carson Wentz has fans thinking that elusive Super Bowl could be within reach sometime soon.

6. Arizona Cardinals: The Cardinals are now the not-so-proud owners of the longest championship drought of any team in the NFL, NBA, NHL or MLB. Their last championship came 69 years ago in Chicago, and their window seems to be closing after a 3-4-1 start this season.

7. Atlanta Hawks: The Hawks last won an NBA title in 1958, when the franchise was in St. Louis. They've been a steady playoff team during their nearly half-century in Atlanta, but they've never even made the NBA Finals in that time.

8. Buffalo Bills: Everyone remembers the four consecutive Super Bowl losses, but it's been pretty dismal since then. Buffalo hasn't made the playoffs since 1999. The Bills are 4-4 this year. Maybe their time is coming? (Probably not).

9. Detroit Lions: Detroit won the NFL championship in 1957 but has never won the Super Bowl. They looked doomed again this year, but a 4-4 record in the NFC — with a chance to make a move on the Vikings this Sunday — gives the fan base a glimmer of hope.

10. Toronto Maple Leafs: This is basically the NHL's version of the Cubs. Toronto has a rabid hockey fan base but hasn't won a Stanley Cup in 50 seasons — many of which have been either dismal or star-crossed. The Leafs have missed the playoffs 10 of the last 11 years, but budding star Auston Matthews gives the city hope.