Chicago Cubs: These Milwaukee Brewers aren’t going anywhere

After unexpectedly edging the Chicago Cubs out for the NL Central title in 2018, the Milwaukee Brewers are emerging as the team to beat in the division.

After an offseason filled with all the wrong kind of news for the Chicago Cubs, it was important to come out of the gates on Opening Day with a sense of urgency. Unfortunately, the team has failed to soothe the wounds of last season thus far.

Sure, it’s only been five games, and it’s way too early to push the panic button. However, an unsettling start was far from ideal for the Cubs. Especially given how their division rivals from the north have started their season.

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Brewers haven’t skipped a beat

The Milwaukee Brewers came into 2019 with World Series aspirations, and have done nothing in their first seven games to suggest the contrary. The Brewers currently sit as the only team in the NL Central with a win percentage over .500 at 6-1, and they’re already firing on all cylinders.

Reigning National League MVP Christian Yelich continues to prove he’s one of the best players in all of baseball. Josh Hader continues to dominate in the back end of the bullpen. Through the first week of the season, Yelich is slashing .375/.531/1.000 and Hader has yet to allow a run while compiling 10 Ks in his first five innings of work.

It’s very early in the season, but this Brewers team is dangerous, and they are undoubtedly a contender in the National League.

Can the Cubs catch them?

For the Cubs, it’s been an entirely different story to start the season. After coming up short in the Wild Card Game in 2018, the front office did little to improve a team with clear needs. They will be relying on internal improvements to succeed in 2019. In their first five games, the Cubs’ most glaring issues have been exposed.

Their thin bullpen on paper has had an abysmal start to the season. Their starting pitching has been shaky, and they’re coming off their worst defensive game in the Joe Maddon era. The lone bright spot has been the offense, which, despite being shutout Monday, has totaled 36 runs in just six games.

Chicago pitching currently ranks 29th in the league with a 6.75 ERA. It has been a hellish start to the season, and improvements must be made. Luckily, there are still 157 games left, and we have yet to see the team’s true identity.

The Cubs have the talent and leadership to remain competitive, and time will tell if they can reach their potential. With the way the Brewers are playing, the Cubs have their work cut out for them in 2019.