Chicago Cubs Predictions: Looking to the 2018 season

It’s once again that time. Our yearly picks for the Chicago Cubs and the 2018 season. We are VERY fond of the Cubs, let that be known. But they are also an excellent team.

As we put together this list of predictions for the Chicago Cubs and the 2018 season, I was surprised to see some interesting picks. First, only two of us picked the Houston Astros to return–and win–in the World Series. Either we believe in the “World Series hangover,” or Dallas Keuchel rubbed us the wrong way with his comments. Either way, we aren’t buying the Astros returning.

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When it comes to the NL Central, it’s unanimous. The Cubs should win the division. By how much is unknown. But every one of us picked the Cubs. Now, some might say, “Duh, you’re a Cubs site.” That’s only half true. The Cubs are a strong team again this season. While they don’t have strong depth in the minors, they still have it.

So enough with my ramblings. Let’s get into the predictions, as we take a look at the Central standings, the NLCS and ALCS, winner of the World Series and some individual awards at the end of the post. Spoiler. For the most part, we’re buying Ronald Acuna. But then again, who isn’t?

Anyhow, let’s get on to the first group of our picks, in no particular order.

Janey Murray 

After a slow start to 2017, there is no reason the Cubs should not jump out to a fast start in 2018. 2016 proved that this lineup is capable of big things, and with bounce back years likely for Schwarber and Russell, among others, the Cubs should be as good—if not better—than 2016.

An improved starting rotation is what will ultimately power this Cubs team, though. Chicago boasts arguably one of the best rotations in baseball, and replacing Jake Arrieta and John Lackey with Yu Darvish and Tyler Chatwood is an upgrade in my book. Barring any major injuries, the Cubs have shot to be the top NL seed heading into the playoffs. And in a hard-fought World Series, more playoff experience is what will give the Cubs the edge over the younger, more inexperienced Yankees.

NL Central Standings:
1. Cubs
2. Cardinals
3. Brewers
4. Pirates
5. Reds

Matthew Aung 

On paper the Cubs the Cubs have one of the best teams in baseball. Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant will lead the offense, but the biggest X-factor in regards to the attack will be Ian Happ. He was named the lead-off hitter at the end of the spring, and it will be up to him to set the tone atop the lineup.

I see Kyle Hendricks as the ace of the Cubs starting staff. Face it, Jon Lester is an aging starting pitcher that is on the decline. Yu Darvish is fully capable of being the ace too, but I think Kyle Hendricks is going to officially come on to the scene, and be the ace I feel he can be.

The Cubs are going to be good, and be a joy to watch, but injuries are a BIG factor when it comes to the 162 game season, so thankfully the Cubs have a lot of depth. The two most significant pieces are Albert Almora Jr and Mike Montgomery.

As Joe Maddon says “We are good.”

NL Central Standings:

1. Cubs – 96 wins
2. Cardinals – 87 wins
3. Brewers – 85 wins
4. Pirates – 70 wins
5. Reds – 65 wins

Logan Whaley

Heading into the 2018 season, the Chicago Cubs could easily argue that they boast the best team in baseball. The additions of Yu Darvish and Brandon Morrow, along with the expected resurgence of Kyle Schwarber, puts this team firmly in the driver seat in the National League.

Expectedly, the Cubs should win the National League Central again this season. Also, this offense could be even more dangerous than the 2016 team. If the Cubs can put it all together, expect them to be flying high come October.

NL Central Standings:
1. Cubs 105-57
2. Cardinals: 88-74
3. Brewers: 86-76
4. Reds: 71-91
5. Pirates: 69-93

Cody Delmendo

I expect the Chicago Cubs to play a much cleaner game of baseball in the first half, propelling them to a big lead in the NL Central come to the All-Star break. The St. Louis Cardinals will be their biggest threat given their pitching depth, but the Cubs offense will be too much and will lead them to their third straight NL Central title. I expect anywhere between 95-100 wins. My break out players for the Cubs include Kyle Schwarber, Addison Russell and Albert Almora.

NL Central Standings:

1. Cubs
2. Cardinals
3. Brewers
4. Reds
5. Pirates

Tim Stebbins

2018 could be a lot like 2016 for the Chicago Cubs. Behind a stout starting pitching staff and high-powered offense, the Cubs should be one of the top teams in the league this year. While injuries and underachievement is possible, this roster looks electric from top-to-bottom. I expect the front office to make a move for the bullpen in the summer, whether that be adding an elite closer (like Aroldis Chapman to the Cubs in 2016) or someone to shut down opponents before closer Brandon Morrow enters (like Andrew Miller to the Indians in 2016).

NL Central Standings:

1. Cubs
2. Brewers
3. Cardinals
4. Reds
5. Pirates

David Miniel

Following yet another year in which they reached the NLCS, the Chicago Cubs appear to be a massive favorite to headline again. With a mix of fresh faces in the starting rotation, Joe Maddon and his new look staff will have everything under control. Unfortunately, last year got off to a bit of a rocky start.

However, like in 2016, the reigning N.L. Central champions began to find their footing and would eventually dethrone the surprise Brewers from the top of the division. Expect it to be another battle for the Central crown, but with the additions of Yu Darvish and Tyler Chatwood, the boys will be playing baseball deep into the postseason.

Lastly, there is no need to worry about the batting lineup. From top to bottom, the Cubs have the tools to drive in a lot of runs in 2018. Look for this offense to put up numbers comparable to their World Series title season.

NL Central Standings: 

1. Cubs
2. Brewers
3. Cardinals
4. Reds
5. Pirates

Alex Patt

The Chicago Cubs should at least win the NL Central. Their drive this year feels much higher than last year’s because they were still riding the World Series win. Expect a much more energized team in the first half and getting off to a better start than last season.
The starting pitching, if healthy, will be a top-five rotation in baseball. This includes Jon Lester bouncing back and Jose Quintana finding his consistency again. The offense should also be a top-five scoring offense with around 200+ homers as a team and a very good team on-base percentage. With all of that being put together, they should win around 95ish games, maybe even more.

NL Central Standings:

1. Cubs – 95 wins
2. Cardinals – 87 wins
3. Brewers – 85 wins
4. Pirates – 75 wins
5. Reds – 74 wins

Matt Thomas

The Cubs boast as deep a lineup as there is in baseball, providing good health and a likely bounce back by several role players who got off to slow starts in ‘17. Even with the well-documented struggles of Heyward, Russell, Zobrist, and Schwarber, the 2017 Cubs finished the season second in runs scored and third in both OPS and home runs. Simply accounting for the law of averages, the offense should be even better in ‘18. This lineup has a legitimate shot to have six players finish with 25 or more HRs, and could wind up with three 40-homer bats.

Combining this lineup with strong defense, an improved starting rotation (swapping out Arrieta and Lackey for Darvish and Chatwood), and an underrated bullpen that is better top-to-bottom than they were a year ago, the 2018 Cubs could realistically wind up with the best record in baseball.

NL Central Standings:
1. Chicago Cubs 106-56
2. St. Louis Cardinals 88-74
3. Milwaukee Brewers 87-75
4. Cincinnati Reds 73-89
5. Pittsburgh Pirates 69-93

Adam McGinnis

How awesome would it be to have a Cubs-Red Sox World Series? Two classic franchises. This year’s Cubs team looks sturdier than they did in 2016. The rotation is stronger than it was two years ago, at least on paper anyway. The lineup is still young but much more experienced this time around. Depth seems to be a significant strength for this team as well. Especially in the outfield. The bullpen, which has been the Cubs’ most prominent weak spot the past couple years, improved a lot this offseason.

The Cubs are going to the World Series this year. And they’ll be spearheaded by 2018 NL Cy Young winner Kyle Hendricks.

NL Central Standings:

1. Cubs 98-64
2. Cardinals 85-77
3. Brewers 83-79
4. Pirates 78-84
5. Reds 74-88

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

Jeff Burdick

Unless injuries hit, I expect a 98-win Cubs to be the top NL playoff seed. The march to the division title should be steady and uneventful, with the Brewers finishing nine games back. I expect eight of the 15 NL teams to again be under .500, giving Maddon ample opportunities to rest his starters (especially Lester and Darvish).

In the playoffs, it primarily comes down to our young bats. Last year, they lost their grinding, disciplined plate approach, especially against the Dodgers. If they can maintain good ABs, they should better pressure elite playoff pitching to reach the World Series. However, I do fear a better Red Sox bullpen and slightly better defense will decide an otherwise coin-flip series.

NL Central Standings: 

1. Cubs – 98 wins
2. Brewers -89 wins
3. Cardinals – 81 wins
4. Pittsburgh -73 wins
5. Reds – 64 wins

Brian Thomas

NL Central Standings:

1. Cubs
2. Brewers
3. Cardinals
4. Reds
5. Pirates

Jake Misener

NL Central Standings:

1. Cubs
2. Cardinals
3. Brewers
4. Reds
5. Pirates

Nicholas Blazek

I don’t see any reason why the Cubs shouldn’t run away with the division this season. While the Cardinals and Brewers made some solid additions, the Cubs already were good. And they only got better with he addition of Yu Darvish and Tyler Chatwood. The bullpen will likely have some questions about it as we enter the season. But I think that they’ll answer the call and be one of the top five in the NL.

As long as the Cubs stay healthy to a degree, they can focus on getting past the “hangover” they experienced last season and look to get back to the World Series.

NL Central Standings:

1. Cubs
2. Cardinals
3. Brewers
4. Reds
5. Pirates