Chicago Cubs: Your way too early 2018 season predictions

(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL – OCTOBER 18: Anthony Rizzo #44 of the Chicago Cubs looks on before game four of the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Wrigley Field on October 18, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – OCTOBER 18: Anthony Rizzo #44 of the Chicago Cubs looks on before game four of the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Wrigley Field on October 18, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Chicago produces two 40 HR, 100 RBI players

It’s going to happen this 2018 season, folks.

More than half of the Cubs’ young lineup is capable of providing souvenirs. New hitting coach Chili Davis knows his way around the long-ball, as well. He hit 350 homers in his career on a .274 lifetime average over 19 seasons. John Mallee, Davis’ predecessor, lacked that big-league experience. I think it makes a difference.

Yes, it takes patience at the dish to refine the home run craft. Davis drew 1194 walks in his career. The Cubs hope he can help infuse patience into the team’s young power hitters.

The Chicago Cubs produced six 20-plus home run hitters during 2017, which may have been seven had Addison Russell played 35 more games. So we know the young squad is more than just defensively inclined.

The 2018 season will feature two 40-homer, 100-RBI players. The obvious choices are Rizzo and Schwarber, provided he’s not lured away to a DH-friendly team. I wouldn’t sleep on Bryant, however, because the man has proven his ability to patiently wait for a pitching mistake.

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