Chicago Cubs: Pressure behind Sports Illustrated’s latest cover?

The Chicago Cubs are getting ready to defy the odds and silence their critics once and for all. But before they reach the promise land, they are going to need 11 games in order to do just that.

Yes, winning 103 games is rather impressive, especially for a Chicago Cubs team who hasn’t won over 100 games in a long time. In fact, the last time Chicago won 100 plus games was back in 1909-1910.

It all started in 1909 where they won 104 games and lost only 49. They managed to duplicate their winning total the following year but lost one more than they had the year before. Now, I don’t know about you but I was not around to witness this team in all their glory.

Most of those fans who were lucky enough are no longer with us. So right now, we’re witnessing our own little piece of baseball history. And honestly, it feels great.

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However, the journey has only begun for Joe Maddon and the Chicago Cubs. Despite hitting a wall in July, Chicago ended the year strong and was led by their pitching staff and heavy hitters throughout the lineup.

Guys such as Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, Addison Russell, Ben Zobrist, Willson Contreras, and even David Ross. Not to mention Kyle Hendricks who ended the year as the title holder for the lowest earned run average.

In addition to that note, there is a very good chance that the 26-year-old right-hander wins N.L. Cy young honors. He’ll have stiff competition with Jon Lester who nearly won 20 games and finished with the second-best ERA on the Cubs.

Good Enough to Win?

With that being said, experts made their picks, yet again, and most of them chose the Chicago Cubs to win it all. Especially Sports Illustrated‘s own, Tom Verducci who believes that the Cubs will win it all in 2016, published on their website.

Now, I’m assuming a few of you had already clicked the link above and noticed the picture embedded in the article. While a few of you had reviewed the picture beforehand and can’t believe your eyes.

And I’ll admit, it’s glorious yet nerve-wracking at the same time. When sitting down with SI Now host Maggie Gray and Ken Rosenthal (video via Twitter), Verducci was asked if they (SI) had just doubled jinxed the Cubs.

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He quickly replied with, “Now this team understands it’s been a long time, but the issue that there’s pressure on this group of guys since they haven’t since 1908? I don’t buy that at all. Maybe the fans feel the weight of expectations and history. Players are so loose, extroverted. I really like the makeup of the team.”

Rosenthal then added, “They’ve got a swagger about them. It’s a confident group. They like to win. They’re very good at winning — I don’t expect 1908 will phase them one bit.”

Crawl

Something that I can agree with. Man, will someone wake me up when it’s time for the Cubs to take the field on Friday? These next two days are going to crawl.

What do you think, Cubs fans? Do you feel pressure at all because of this updated photo? Or do you believe Chicago will be able to handle their own? Let us know in the comment section below.

Before we let you go, take a look at the full cover courtesy of Kenny Ducey on Twitter.