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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) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 01: Yasiel Puig #66 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts during the fifth inning against the Houston Astros in game seven of the 2017 World Series at Dodger Stadium on November 1, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 01: Yasiel Puig #66 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts during the fifth inning against the Houston Astros in game seven of the 2017 World Series at Dodger Stadium on November 1, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

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.

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