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Erik Mauro
I think the Cubs are going to push 100 wins again. With a shored up rotation and bullpen, the pitching does not have as many holes as 2017. Kyle Schwarber had a solid second half last season, look for him to build off that for a strong year. It would not be surprising to see Addison Russell rebound for a good year as well.
NL Central Standings:
1. Cubs
2. Brewers
3. Cardinals
4. Reds
5. Pirates
Jacob Chatfield
The Cubs probably have a better roster than they did at the start of the 2016 season. With a Schwarber return to form, Ian Happ continuing his spring for a year and a Jason Heyward that can get hits, the Cubs could win 100+ again. But none of that is guaranteed or even necessarily likely. Regardless, they’re heavy favorites to defend the division.
NL Central Standings:
1. Cubs – 94 wins
2. Brewers – 89 wins
3. Cardinals – 82 wins
4. Reds – 77 wins
5. Pirates – 68 wins
Bill Rakosnik
The Cubs season will be all about momentum and injuries. In 2016 they got off to a hot start and never looked back. In 2017 they spent the whole first half around .500. But once they got momentum coming out of the All-Star break, they quickly caught the Brewers and won the NL Central. With the exception of the Kyle Schwarber injury, in 2016 the Cubs had no major injuries. In 2017 the Cubs constantly were without one or two players.
This offseason the Cubs signed a number of pitchers with a history arm injuries. If they stay mostly healthy, the Cubs should be great. Just like the Theo and Jed, I’m going to bet that the newly acquired pitchers will stay mostly healthy. I think most of the estimates for the Cubs are low so that the Cubs will win right around 100 games.
The Cubs have a good schedule. The Pirates have taken their foot off the gas. The Reds aren’t ready to compete. The Cardinals are another year older, and they didn’t improve their bullpen as much as they should. And the Brewers made a lot of noise this offseason to improve their outfield which was a surplus area for them and then they have too many maybes on their pitching staff.
NL Central Standings:
1. Cubs
2. Cardinals
3. Brewers
4. Pirates
5. Reds