Chicago Cubs: Our staff predicts the World Series winner

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For the first time in 71 years, the Chicago Cubs are in the World Series! Who will win the series and be the MVP? Here is what our staff thinks.

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But, we are fans of the Cubs as well. Now that the World Series is upon us, our staff makes their series predictions. Who will win and in how many games? Who earns MVP honors? Here are our thoughts in no particular order. Spoiler alert–we like the Cubs in this series.

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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

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.

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Erik Mauro

Cubs in 6. This series can absolutely go seven games if the Indians pitch like they are capable. The problem is, they’re missing two of their best starters, which plays into the Cubs hands. If the Cubs can hit like they did in the last three games of the NLCS, it could be over in four. However, if the Cubs don’t hit, the Indians will take a couple games. Javier Baez will win the MVP. This kid lives for the moment, and no moment is too big for him. He’s been doing it all playoffs, and I expect the coming out party to continue.

Adam McGinnis

This series has the potential to go a lot of different ways. The Indians are obviously a bit depleted as far as their rotation is concerned, but to this point it hasn’t really mattered. The Cubs, on the other hand, have everyone in their rotation healthy and ready to go. I think Jon Lester and Kyle Hendricks will continue to be the most reliable guys, but there are a few more question marks with Jake Arrieta and John Lackey. Here’s the thing: if the Cubs continue to hit like they have the past few games, it’s over. But that’s a big if. I’m going to say Cubs in six. As for MVP, I’ll go with Anthony Rizzo. He really stepped up his game in a big way during the NLCS, and I think he’ll continue that trend in the World Series.

Tim Stebbins

Getting to the World Series is no small accomplishment. The Indians went a combined 7-1 in the ALDS and ALCS, defeating AL East powerhouses in the Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox. The Cubs also faced two tough teams from one division in the NLDS and NLCS, going a combined 7-3 against the San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers. In my mind, it’s hard to pick against the Cubs in this series. Cleveland is obviously on a roll and should not be taken lightly. Their bullpen has been lights out behind Andrew Miller and Cody Allen, but I have questions about their starting rotation and offense. While they do have 2014 AL Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber as an ace, after that the rotation lacks experience (although they’ve made it this far with it, so who am I kidding?). If this series took place while both teams were at full strength, the Indians rotation would be more than formidable. At the same time, though, their offense scored just 12 runs during five ALCS games, while the Cubs scored 23 over their final three NLCS games. With the addition of the DH for at least two games this series, the Cubs offense could become even more scary. I can’t see the Indians going down quietly, so my guess is Cubs win in 6.

Robert Davis

When I saw Cleveland beat Toronto, I was almost as excited as when the Cubs hung five runs on Kershaw in Game 6. This match-up is one of historic proportions, that favors the Cubs in some significant ways. For one, Cleveland doesn’t have a lefty starter and the Cubs feast on right-handed pitching. In fact, the only two lefties on their pitching staff are Ryan Merritt and Andrew Miller. The Cubs have hit Miller well over his career, and he hasn’t faced them yet this year either. Both teams have pitching corps and batting lineups strong enough to make every game a potential shootout. I think this series will be won on the base-paths. Chicago will need to limit Cleveland’s speed and stay fundamentally sound on offense. The series will end in five at Wrigley Field. Javier Baez will be the MVP.

Corey Francis

This series has the potential to be one of the best we have ever witnessed. Both teams have great pitching. One team runs better, the other plays defense better. Both can hit pretty well. However, the Cubs are coming off a battle with the Dodgers that saw them struggle to compete offensively, but then come alive. After getting swept in the NLCS in 2015, the weight of the target is off their backs as they are competing and succeeding with great energy. They faced great pitching and won. If the series is tied at one game each coming back to Wrigley, I do not see it going back to Cleveland. The Chicago Cubs win this in five, with Anthony Rizzo as MVP.

Michael Niederman

The Cubs and Indians are both extremely dynamic and possess the ability to beat you in different ways. The Indians had plenty of time to scout this team. The Cubs need to expect the Tribe to be aggressive. Lester will need to be lights out in order to keep guys from taking the free base. For the Cubs, defense will still play a major factor, and their ability to make the big play could decide a game or two. I fully believe that the Cubs need to follow the horse that got them there all year. I’m picking Kris Bryant to win MVP. He was relatively quiet during the NLCS but is primed to make a large splash in route to writing the next chapter in his great career so far. Cubs win in 6 games.

Nicholas Blazek

After spending a year covering the Indians as well as the Cubs, I like to think I have an “inside advantage” to gauging this series. But we all know that means nothing. The Indians came into this season with a stellar rotation and a lot of questions on offense. Now as we enter the World Series, the staff has more questions while the offense is rolling. Before it’s all said and done, I think the tribe will test the Cubs. But with Corey Kluber rumored to start Games 1, 4 and 7? The Cubs staff and their offense will win it in five–in front of the Wrigley faithful for the most amazing party you have ever seen. And I think Addison Russell picks up the MVP. Big stage. Perfect for the kid.

David Miniel

The Chicago Cubs are going up against their toughest opponent in the postseason. Which is surprising considering how much trouble the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers gave them in the National League. But when you look at the American League you can’t help but notice what the Cleveland Indians did. They ran through the Boston Red Sox and the Toronto Blue Jays, earning themselves their first pennant since 1997. Boston was once picked as the favorite over the Chicago Cubs while the Blue Jays emerged as a sleeper. Toronto’s lineup is full of power — like Joe Maddon’s on the North Side. So knowing how easy the Indians handled them is a little scary, to say the least. However, I believe that the Cubbies not only have the strongest rotation but the best offense and defense to help them out along the way. Getting runner’s on and capitalizing is going to be key for both clubs but I can’t see any other outcome other than the Chicago Cubs winning it all. My heart is telling me that the 108-year drought is coming to an end very soon.

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