Chicago Cubs: Our staff predicts the World Series winner

Richard Kagan

This series will be competitive. The Cubs might be nervous for a game. The off-field hoopla may be a factor. It might be tied heading to Cleveland but Cubs will win 2 games. Both teams will show their best. The Cubs are a little better. Great defense, timely hitting and Lester. Cubs take Series in 6 games. Anthony Rizzo, MVP

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Ryan Tadych

The series has great potential and is a dream matchup for  Major League Baseball. The Chicago Cubs are the stronger and better team, and thus should win the series. But nothing is ever easy. After Corey Kluber, the Indians rotation (despite being good so far in the playoffs) is just average. The Cubs should be able to score some runs off their pitching staff. The Indians struggled to score runs in the ALCS, batting just .168 in the series. The Cubs strong starting pitching will keep the Indians offense in check and score enough runs to win ballgames.

While I would love the Cubs to win it at home at Wrigley, I still see it as a competitive series the Cubs win in 6. However, it could also be a short series. If the Cubs split in Cleveland or win both, they very likely will finish the series at Wrigley, knowing that Jon Lester can go Game 5. With Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant back to hitting, it’s only inevitable that one of them get the MVP award for the World Series. Should be a fun series.