Cubbies Crib
FanSided

Chicago Cubs: Staff predictions for the 2016 season

By Nicholas D. Blazek

Apr 5, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; A general shot of the marquee prior to a game between the Chicago Cubs and the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; A general shot of the marquee prior to a game between the Chicago Cubs and the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /

David Miniel – Co-Editor

Following a Cinderella-like 2015 campaign, the Chicago Cubs enter the new year as the favorites to win the World Series. This front office pulled off yet another huge signing over the offseason, nabbing outfielder Jason Heyward only to turn around and re-sign Dexter Fowler. To me, having Heyward and Fowler together is going to make this team even better in 2016. I’m going to admit that I foolishly ruled out a postseason run for the Cubs only to eat my words come October. I’m not going to make that same mistake twice. If they can manage to avoid serious injury, this is definitely their year. It’s not going to be easy with playing in the toughest division in baseball but they proved to the world that they are no longer pushovers. So here are my standings:

NL Central Standings

  1. Cubs
  2. Cardinals
  3. Pirates
  4. Brewers
  5. Reds

Tobey Johnson – Staff Writer

The National League Central will again this year prove to one of the toughest divisions in all of major league baseball. With three teams that are bonafide contenders to win the division, it again could come down to the final week of play to decide who wins the division and who will play in the Wild Card playoffs. While early predictions from most baseball writers are saying the Chicago Cubs are the odds on favorites to win the Central, do not count out the St. Louis Cardinals just yet.

Despite a rough offseason where they lost some key players to their long-time division rivals (the Cubs with John Lackey and Jason Heyward), they still have a formidable team. On the other hand, the Pittsburgh Pirates might take a small step back this year considering they also had a rough offseason with personnel changes. Neil Walker, Pedro Alvarez, and AJ Burnett will be tough to replace, but the Pirates are used to replacing key players with younger players. More of a question could be how will the Gerrit Cole contract situation affect his performance?

In the end, the Cubs have too much talent at the plate and on the mound; this is really their division to lose, but I still think the Cardinals won’t make it as easy as it may look on paper.Will this finally be THE year? I would like to think so, and with my prediction, I am saying so. While the signing of Dexter Fowler may have been an 11th-hour move and been overlooked by many; I think it was the kind of move that really will push the Cubs over the top of the rest of MLB.

NL Central Standings

  1. Cubs
  2. Cardinals
  3. Pirates
  4. Brewers
  5. Reds

Mike Rankin – Staff Writer

This season, Joe Maddon’s group won’t be taking anyone by surprise. Despite lofty expectations in 2016, I believe the Cubs have what it takes to win the World Series.

It won’t be easy, though, as the Pirates and especially the Cardinals are going to be tough to handle in the National League Central. Outside the Cubs’ division, the San Francisco Giants look primed to continue their trend of winning it all every even year since 2010. Regardless, I think the Cubs are filled with enough depth and talent to handle the grueling 162 game marathon and finish the last game of the MLB season with a win.

NL Central Standings

  1. Cubs 93-69
  2. Cardinals
  3. Pirates
  4. Brewers
  5. Reds

Mike Niederman – Staff Writer/Lead MiLB 

2016 will prove to be an absolute war in the NL Central. The Cubs will rely on a complete team effort and the stars on the roster will sacrifice personal accolades to secure a division title on the north side. While guys like Rizzo, Arrieta, and Bryant will fall short in the awards voting, they will undoubtedly steer the ship being powered by the veteran leadership behind them. In the end, the Cubs will compete for the best record in the league in a stellar division that will struggle to get three playoff teams for the second year in a row.

The Chicago Cubs will be light years ahead of where they were a year ago when the playoffs begin. After passing through the divisional series, they will face a familiar foe in the New York Mets in order to reach their first World Series since 1945. The Drought will end and hell may freeze over after the Cubs win a suspenseful seven-game series against a talented Texas Rangers ball club looking for its first championship since their franchise was founded.

NL Central Standings

  1. Cubs (92-70)
  2. Cardinals
  3. Pirates
  4. Reds
  5. Brewers

Next: Still more believers

Home/Chicago Cubs News