Chicago Cubs: Our staff makes their predictions for the 2017 campaign

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Nov 4, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; A young girl waves a Chicago Cubs pennant during the World Series victory parade on Michigan Avenue. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /

Are the Cubs poised for another National League Central crown?

In the last 108 years, the Chicago Cubs have won a World Series. (God, it feels good to say that). However, the team has won back-to-back division titles just once – in 2007 and 2008. This year, they look to change that with a roster loaded with talent.

Over the winter, fan favorite and leadoff man Dexter Fowler signed a deal with the St. Louis Cardinals, filling a major void for Mike Matheny‘s club. Still, it’s hard to imagine St. Louis making a serious run at Chicago – especially if the latter remains healthy as they did in 2016.

Question: What will the Cubs’ record be & where will they finish in the NL Central?

Daniel Shepard: I think the Cubs will win 100 games again in 2017. With the return of Kyle Schwarber, they should have no problem reaching that mark. Of course, by winning 100 games, I believe they will win the division. Other than the Cubs, the NL Central is a fairly weak division.

Fairly weak. Okay. I’m sure that Cardinals fans won’t take that personally at all.

David Miniel: The Cubs will finish the year at 97-65. They’ll win back-to-back National League Central titles but it won’t be by much. Dexter Fowler is going to spark that Cardinals club just like he did when he was with the Cubs. I’m going out and saying they win the division by only 3-4 games rather than 15+ last year. It won’t be easy but they’re still the best team in the division.

Ryan Tadych: The Cubs won 103 games in 2016 and its very hard not to see them winning 100 games again this year. It’s not easy to win 100 games in a season, let alone two seasons in a row. But with the addition of Kyle Schwarber to the lineup and the further development of guys like Addison Russell and Albert Almora, they should be well on their way to another 100 win season.

Saying “it’s not easy,” really doesn’t cut it here. The Cubs haven’t won 100+ games in back-to-back seasons since 1910. So, the Titanic was still being built – the sinking didn’t happen until two years later. Oh, and World War I hadn’t even begun yet.

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