Can the Cubs Repeat?
The Chicago Cubs were quite the team this past season! They ended their historic championship drought that had plagued them since 1908. Facing the Cleveland Indians in the World Series, they were in a 3–1 deficit and fought all the way back despite the tough efforts of LeBron James. This was a team that played like champions from the start of the season and was not going down without a battle. The big question is now… can they keep the momentum and repeat as MLB champions?
There are a few reasons to believe they have the best shot at winning the World Series again:
- Batting:
This team is comprised of young stars Kris Bryant (25), Anthony Rizzo (27), Jason Heyward (27), and Addison Russell (22). Rizzo and Heyward are just entering their primes while Bryant and Russell have already proved that they can play with the big boys. All these guys hit for average and power, it’s a deadly combo. Bryant led the Cubs with 39 homers while batting .292. That’s incredible. There is no reason to believe these guys will slow down or have a down year. Oh, by the way… remember that guy Kyle Schwarber? He was out all of last season and they still were a success. With his return, they could be even better. One last thing: Kris Bryant won the MVP award…at 25 years old. This guy is the real deal. This modern-day Murderers’ Row will, without a doubt, continue to terrorize pitching staffs throughout the league next season.
2. Pitching:
Their pitching staff is older, but filled with top players. Their core group of starting pitchers will stay mainly the same with the likes of Jon Lester, Jake Arrieta, John Lackey, Kyle Hendricks, and Jason Hammel (Free agent). These 5 pitchers formed a deadly rotation that gave up an average 2.97 runs a game. With this lineup intact next season (with the possibly exception of Jason Hammel), they should be able to pitch their way to easy wins. They did lose top closer Aroldis Chapman, but I don’t see that taking a toll on this team. They have do still have Hector Rondon who recorded 18 saves before losing his job to Chapman. I expect to see Rondon come back to his original closer role and produce for the Cubs.
3. Age:
This team has a mix of everything. Young stars, old veterans and other veterans who still play like young stars. This is what makes them so dynamic. Kris Bryant has all the energy in the world right now and is constantly getting on base. Rizzo is homering seemingly every at-bat and every time I blink Fowler steals another base, but let’s not forget the importance of one of the older guys on the team: Ben Zobrist. He can be relied on to come up clutch when needed. He was so reliable in the World Series that he ended up winning World Series MVP. At 35, he is still capable of still playing at a very high level, which is much more than can be said for most athletes in his age range.
4. Management:
Cubs’ Management wanted to win badly. The(o)y made some nice trades through the years and built up prospects that turned into stars. The(o)y (is) are still in a win-now mode and owner, Tim Ricketts, has given the green light to the Cubs General Manager (AKA Theo’s puppet), Jed Hoyer, to manage the team however (T)he(o) feels, including giving him financial freedom to make any necessary adjustments.
The Cubs are set to roll for at least the next few years. They are set financially, they are young, they are talented, and they are well on their way to becoming the first dynasty the MLB has seen since the Yankees of the late 1990's. The Cubs are the team to beat in the MLB and I’d bet on them to make another run at the World Series.
