Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers poised for years of showdowns
By Jake Misener
![CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 19: Enrique Hernandez #14 of the Los Angeles Dodgers rounds the bases after hitting a home run in the ninth inning off Mike Montgomery #38 of the Chicago Cubs during game five of the National League Championship Series at Wrigley Field on October 19, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 19: Enrique Hernandez #14 of the Los Angeles Dodgers rounds the bases after hitting a home run in the ninth inning off Mike Montgomery #38 of the Chicago Cubs during game five of the National League Championship Series at Wrigley Field on October 19, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fcubbiescrib-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2017-2F11-2F863376862-league-championship-series-los-angeles-dodgers-v-chicago-cubs-game-five-jpg-850x560-dfb63793984bf5b0edabf0318f0252c8.jpg)
Chicago Cubs have work to do this offseason
If the Chicago Cubs want to remain competitive with the Los Angeles Dodgers moving forward, they have a lot of work to do. I’m not just talking about this upcoming offseason – that speaks for itself. Chicago has a lot of holes and they’re going to need to make moves to fill them. There are a lot of tough choices ahead.
But, perhaps even more impactful will be the continued focus on drafting and player development. Chicago has the chance to develop a new generation of Cubs starters internally – with an intense focus on pitching. Do that and you can be successful for a long time.
And, objectively speaking, I have to admit. This Dodgers organization is in the best shape it’s been in for a long, long time. A farm system still-loaded with talent and no major holes on the big-league roster.
Next: An appreciative look at all-time home run hitters
Either way, this much is clear. For the foreseeable future, both the Dodgers and Cubs will be contenders. These teams – and their fans – will enjoy meaningful baseball deep into September and, likely, into the month of October.