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Chicago Cubs: North Siders favored to win N.L. Central?; May full of contenders
By David Miniel
We’re a little under two months before the Chicago Cubs and the rest of the league report to their training camps before spring training, and it feels like time is just crawling.
Last season, the Cubs emerged as World Series favorites soon after they signed southpaw Jon Lester and skipper Joe Maddon.
This time around, they’re still at the top of that list following the arrivals of John Lackey, Ben Zobrist, and outfielder Jason Heyward who inked a massive $184 million deal.
More from Chicago Cubs News
- Cubs should keep close eye on non-tender candidate Cody Bellinger
- Cubs starting pitching has been thriving on the North Side
- Make no mistake: the Cubs are very much about power hitters
- Cubs: It’s time to start thinking about potential September call-ups
- Cubs: P.J. Higgins deserves to be in the lineup on a daily basis
Two former St. Louis Cardinals made the jump to the North Side of the Chicago and will meet up with their old friends and bitter fans throughout the 2016 campaign. Professional sports can be a heartbreaking business, which is something that not too many people understand.
After Maddon and Lackey return to the West Coast to take on the Angels to kick off the new season, the Cubs will have their hands full as soon as May rolls around the corner.
Both teams who squared off in the N.L. Wild Card game will kick off the second month of the 2016 campaign at PNC Park only to have the Cubs return to The Friendly Confines for one of their many home games. That’ll be good news for N.L. Rookie of the Year, Kris Bryant who loves hitting at Wrigley Field.
Former Cubs skipper Dusty Baker was hired on by the Washington Nationals and will make his return to the North Side for the first time since he last managed the Cincinnati Reds.
Dusty wasn’t as nice to the Chicago Cubs while working for TBS, so he may not receive a warm reception when its time for Bryce Harper and company takes the field.
Here’s more from Cubbies Crib and around the league:
‘Chicago Cubs 2016 preview: May is full of contenders‘ – Cubbies Crib
‘Chicago Cubs: Will this new lineup dethrone the Cardinals?‘ – Cubbies Crib
‘Chicago Cubs: Perfect storm brewing in free agency‘ – Cubbies Crib
‘Clubs interested in Braves’ Ender Inciarte‘ – MLB.com
‘Sam Fuld plunked Logan Morrison during charity game, they wrestled‘ – MLB.com