Chicago Cubs 2017 preview: April presents distractions

The Chicago Cubs look ahead to a season full of new challenges and highlights. After a historical 2016, the Cubs will have a target firmly on their backs as the rest of the league works to match them. With Spring Training just around the corner, Cubbies Crib wants to preview 2017’s schedule and what lies ahead for the world champs.

If having the distraction of being a defending champion isn’t enough of a challenge, try starting that defense in your rival’s backyard.

The Cubs open up the 2017 campaign in St. Louis on April 2nd. Sunday Night Baseball will serve as the backdrop when the Cubs battle the Cardinals. In addition to the national audience, the Cubs will see a familiar face.

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Former Cubs OF Dexter Fowler will likely be leading off for the Cards. The emotion and intrigue of that moment will be evident for both Fowler and the Cubs.

On April 10th the Cubs will open up the home portion of their season. The Los Angeles Dodgers will provide the opposition in a rematch of the NLCS. This will be a special night as the city of Chicago celebrates the first championship in the historic Wrigley Field.

The nine-game homestand will also feature divisional games against Pittsburgh and Milwaukee.

April’s slate will be headlined with a weekend interleague series against the Boston Red Sox. The storyline writes itself. Two teams that play in the two oldest ballparks in the league. The Red Sox not only represent a quality matchup but this could be an early preview of the World Series.

Shipping up to Boston

The trip to Boston has the potential of being a heavyweight bout. It will mark the return to Beantown for Jon Lester, who made his debut with the Red Sox. The pitching matchups would be a dream for fans and television alike. Lester, Jake Arrieta and Kyle Hendricks could be matched up with the likes of David Price and newly acquired Chris Sale.

In total, the Cubs will play 15 of their first 24 games away from home. April will feature 18 games against the NL Central including six against Milwaukee and Pittsburgh. Despite having an abundance of talent the Cubs could find themselves in an early divisional hole if they can’t manage the distractions well.

April will also feature the first interleague matchup as the Cubs are slated to face the AL East this season.

Next: Depth overcame injuries in 2016

2017 has the early makeup of another memorable season. No doubt Cub fans will enjoy every moment as the team defends the title. The once “lovable losers” are now the gold standard in a league that thrives on imitation and rhythm.