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Chicago Cubs fans must understand – this remains the Golden Age

By William Chase

CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 10: Anthony Rizzo #44 of the Chicago Cubs leads the team onto the field with the World Series trophy before the home opening game between the Chicago Cubs and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Wrigley Field on April 10, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 10: Anthony Rizzo #44 of the Chicago Cubs leads the team onto the field with the World Series trophy before the home opening game between the Chicago Cubs and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Wrigley Field on April 10, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – OCTOBER 17: Carl Edwards Jr. #6 of the Chicago Cubs reacts as he walks off the field in the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during game three of the National League Championship Series at Wrigley Field on October 17, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – OCTOBER 17: Carl Edwards Jr. #6 of the Chicago Cubs reacts as he walks off the field in the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during game three of the National League Championship Series at Wrigley Field on October 17, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Rounding it all out

The bullpen, a talking point all season, was disastrous down the stretch. Whether fatigue, technique, or both, that will be an area to address. Justin Wilson has a full year ahead, and Carl Edwards Jr. is coming off his first full season, and most innings pitched.

But what about Hector Rondon, not on the NLDS roster and first out of the gate for the NLCS? Justin Grimm showed he can be really good — June 0.73 ERA — but lacked consistency.

The lineup remains stacked with the likes of Kris Bryant, who improved upon his MVP-season. Bryant slashed his strikeouts, upped his walks, improved his OPS. Anthony Rizzo, the veteran leader of the club, continues to evolve.

We also saw how well Javier Baez and Willson Contreras can carry the team offensively, evident to great roster depth.

Next: Could Dellin Betances make sense for the Cubs?

While I can’t promise the Cubs will win the World Series next season, they just wrapped up a third-consecutive trip to the NLCS. Something fans only dreamed about. A contender year after year.

So try to smile, this is the golden age of Cubs baseball.

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