The Chicago Cubs remain a juggernaut in the NL Central

Despite an unfortunate finish to the 2018 campaign, the Chicago Cubs are still one of the top teams in the National League. As we are a just few weeks from Opening Day, can fans expect a rebound this season?

In disappointing fashion last October, the Chicago Cubs run to a second world championship in three seasons prematurely came to an end at the hands of the Colorado Rockies in a 13-inning 2-1 Wild Card game loss. Without rehashing the past too much, the team failed to play to their potential causing fans to further question exactly what happened.

Old wounds heal, however, and despite the lackluster finish to the season the team is primed to return to their winning ways as we close in on opening day. The Cubs offseason has been fraught with controversy and some puzzling decisions. Nevertheless, prominent starters are returning to health and regaling production which was lost last season.

In the wake of the Bryce Harper and Manny Machado sweepstakes, divisional foes took advantage on their terms, making moves to bolster their rosters. The reigning National League Central champion Milwaukee Brewers added switch-hitting veteran catcher Yasmani Grandal on a one-year deal; St. Louis, meanwhile, accomplished goals of their own adding All-Star first baseman Paul Goldschmidt via trade, and signing former All-Star setup man/closer Andrew Miller. However, the Wrigley faithful should not fret and can expect big things this season.

Chicago Cubs: Everything is fine

Talk to most Cubs fans, and they will dispel the rumor the team is lacking in production. As the club is coming off their fourth straight 90+ win season, who can blame them? A disastrous number of factors played into the Cubs losing the division on the final day of the season.

First, Kris Bryant missed 59 games due to a shoulder injury, which incidentally also forced him to change his swing, zapping his power. Second, the team only got 40 innings out of prized free-agent acquisition Yu Darvish before he was also shelved for the remainder of the year. In the time Darvish was healthy, he posted an 11.7% walk rate and 4.86 FIP. Not the numbers of a $126 million man.

Next, Willson Contreras experienced a complete and utter meltdown in the second half of last season. He slashed just .200/.291/.294 and struck out at a 24.6% clip. Lastly, the team was without closer Brandon Morrow for the final three months of the regular season due to injury. Morrow was sitting at an outstanding 1.47 ERA in his first 30 2/3 innings.

Joe Maddon and the Cubs experienced many adverse factors throughout the regular season and won 95 games. While the run to a fourth straight NLCS was cut short by Kyle Freeland and the Rockies, understanding where the Cubs sat heading into the final day paints a picture of utter amazement it didn’t end up worse with their season derailed.

Bouncing back to the top

Objectively speaking it will be difficult for the Cubs to take the division crown in 2019, but certainly not impossible. It also feels as though the team has two new shiny toys in healthy and resurgent Bryant and Darvish. PECOTA has somehow projected the team to finish dead last in the Central, but that seems too farfetched.

For all the wrong reasons the Cubs have been in the spotlight – there is no denying that truth. Thankfully the season is close at hand, and they can get back to doing what they are best at, and that is playing baseball.

The boys are looking good and healthy and are showing a new resurgence so far this spring. Bryant has demonstrated the power is returning, Darvish is consistently hitting 96 mph, and other guys like Contreras and Albert Almora are showing off in their ways. It has no doubt been exciting.

Calm, cool, and collected is where Maddon wants this team. When things are loose, they play better. So far this spring, it has been that way, and that should get fans excited for the season, as well as a complete resurgence back to the top where they belong.