The Chicago Cubs remain a juggernaut in the NL Central

Chicago Cubs: Competition is suddenly strong

Fresh off two straight division crowns, and the three consecutive NLCS appearances, it was hard to see anyone else competing at the level the Cubs found themselves. The Brewers finally cracked the stronghold, leading the Cubs to finish outside of the top for the first time since 2015.

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Suddenly, with the Cardinals additions, the N.L. Central is a competitive division again and could be the division everyone keeps their eye on as the season progresses. There is already much-anticipated animosity between the Cubs and Cardinals after Bryant called St. Louis ‘boring’ last month, as well as the race to the top to dethrone the suddenly solid Brewers.

Chicago meanwhile has tweaked the depth chart in minor ways with the expectation Bryant, Darvish, and Contreras return to form. Fans, of course, carry the same aspiration and for a good reason. The question remains: Can the Cubs find enough grit and determination to return to the top?