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Chicago Cubs’ promising 2016 odds not yet set in stone
By Jake Misener
Consistency key for still-growing Chicago Cubs
Last season was magical. Chicago walked-off 13 separate times over the course of 2015, breathing a type of excitement and exuberance that hadn’t been seen at the Friendly Confines in decades.
Manager of the Year Joe Maddon mixed and matched his way through injuries and slumps, out dueling Matheny for the league’s top honors. Chicago benefitted from the veteran presence of guys like David Ross, Jon Lester and Miguel Montero and, before you knew it, the Cubs were headed to the postseason for the first time since the last decade.
Jake Arrieta took home National League Cy Young honors. Kris Bryant won the NL Rookie of the Year, narrowly missing the club record for rookie RBI in a campaign and shattering the home run record, as well. Anthony Rizzo emerged as one of the best players in the big leagues and every game brought something new to fans.
But if there’s anything this team can learn from its inspiring run last season, it’s this. Luck always runs out and it’ll take consistent play from start-to-finish if this group wants to finish the job the 2015 Chicago Cubs started: winning the World Series.