Chicago Cubs: 2015 Cubbies Crib staff picks

Getting better, still no postseason

Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Tobey Johnson – Staff Writer

Chicago Cubs I think are still a year off from postseason play.  I can see them about 4.5 to 5 games out of the second wild card game.  I think they will not be buyers at the trade deadline but will sell on a couple of the veterans they have like La Stella, Coghlan, Denorfia, maybe even Fowler if one of the young guys come up and are playing really well enough and the offer was right.  With the versatility of Alcantara he could take over in CF if Russell or Baez came up and Fowler was wanted for a nice deal.

I still think the Cubs need to add an arm – Zimmerman would be who I would target out of anyone but will cost the most.  David Price I think is a possibility to sign next off-season. Cubs add that extra top-tier arm and all the young guys like Bryant, Soler, Russell, Almora, even Baez show up and play as well as they have – no doubt next year the Central in the Cubs.

Cubs Finish – 84-78 – 3rd Central – 4th place in the Wild Card

NL Central

1.  St. Louis Cardinals     91-71

2.  Pittsburgh Pirates      89-75

3.  Chicago Cubs              84-78

4.  Cincinnati Reds          76-86

5.  Milwaukee Brewers    74-88

Cubs MVP -Anthony Rizzo – .292 avg.,  38 HR, 102 RBI’s

World Series – Cleveland Indians (want to go Angels but not sure) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers – Dodgers in 6 games

National League Awards

Rookie of the Year –  Joc Pederson LAD  (Would love to say Bryant but won’t – don’t want to jinx him)

Cy Young –Matt Harvey – NYM (Kershaw is too obvious – love how Harvey has pitched – only worry about an inning count)

MVP -Bryce Harper – WAS (Kemp and Adrian Gonzalez are two others I’m tempted to say)

Dan Schmelzer – Staff Writer

It is obvious that the Cubs will be one of the most improved teams this season. On the pitching side, I project them to be very good and consistent in both the rotation and bullpen. Offensively, there will be games when the Cubs will look like the best team in baseball, but strikeouts and inconsistency with so many young players is to be expected.

It is going to be an extremely fun season to watch, and the Cubs will be in the playoff race for most of the year. However, I think the inconsistency offensively will hold them back from missing the postseason, but not by much. They will be a very dangerous team heading in to the 2016 season.

83-79 – 3rd place in NL Central. Narrowly miss Wild Card.

NL Central

1. Pirates

2. Cardinals

3. Cubs

4. Brewers

5. Reds

Cubs MVP – Anthony Rizzo

World Series -Dodgers vs.  Angels

Angels win

National League Awards

Rookie of the Year: Jorge Soler – CHC

Cy Young – Clayton Kershaw – LAD

MVP – Andrew McCutchen – PIT

David Miniel – Assistant Editor

As much as I want the Cubs to reach the postseason, I still think they need a couple more pieces before they make the playoffs. This is why I believe they will finish second or at least third in one of the toughest divisions in baseball. Just like the Green Bay Packers to the Bears, the St. Louis Cardinals are still a dangerous team. Now as the Cardinals appear to be the favorites to win the N.L. Central this season, it’ll be a tight race to see who could lock up a top spot behind the Cards. I think it comes down between the Cubs and the Pirates. Cubs win anywhere between 80-85 games.

NL Central
1. St. Louis Cardinals
2. Chicago Cubs
3. Pittsburgh Pirates
4. Cincinnati Reds
5. Milwaukee Brewers

Cubs MVP – Anthony Rizzo – This man was the original piece of Theo Epstein’s plan, and despite struggling during Cactus League play – Rizzo is going to explode into a neck-and-neck race with Miami Marlins’ Giancarlo Stanton for N.L. MVP honors.

World Series: Washington Nationals vs Seattle Mariners
Nationals win in 7.

National League Awards
Rookie of the Year: Kris Bryant – CHC Two Cubs are going to battle it out for this award. Bryant will have competition in teammate Jorge Soler.
Cy Young – Clayton Kershaw – LAD
MVP – Giancarlo Stanton – MIA

Jacob Misener – Co-editor

While the Cubs are clearly improved over a year ago, inexperience and youth will be working against them in 2015.

Jon Lester adds a bona fide ace to the staff, but questions over what you’re getting in Travis Wood and whether or not Kyle Hendricks can duplicate his rookie success are concerns moving forward.

Chicago lost 89 games last season; this year, the club will climb above .500 and be competitive in the division – but will fall short of the postseason yet again.

Cubs 83-79, third NL Central

1. Pittsburgh

2. St Louis

3. Chicago 

4. Milwaukee

5. Cincinnati

Cubs MVP – Anthony Rizzo

World Series – Seattle Mariners vs Washington Nationals

National win

National League Awards

Rookie of the Year – Jorge Soler – CHC

Cy Young – Jordan Zimmerman – WAS

MVP – Giancarlo Stanton – MIA

Taylor Martin – Staff Writer

I wishfully think the Cubs will go (89-73)

NL Central

1. St. Louis

2. Chicago Cubs

3. Pirates

4. Brewers

5. Reds

Cubs MVP – Kris Bryant – If they stay on track with bringing him up and if he continues his hot streak that he had in spring training.

World Series – Nationals vs.  Angels

Nationals win

National League Awards

Rookie of the Year – Kris Bryant – CHC

Cy Young – Clayton Kershaw – LAD

MVP – Bryce Harper – WAS

Next: Making the postseason!