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Chicago Cubs and the baseball world celebrate long-awaited Opening Day
By David Miniel
Following a brief summer camp, the Chicago Cubs are prepared for a shortened 60 game regular season
Words cannot express how great life feels knowing Chicago Cubs baseball is back. However, it would be nice to have the option of watching them on television. Either way, it’s time for this team to get to work.
No more re-watching old games or even Game 7 of the 2016 World Series to pass the time. Despite it being a shortened season, it’s all serious business. In his first year as manager, David Ross has a lot on his plate.
The 43-year-old former catcher has gotten a little taste of what to expect as a big-league manager. Shuffling the roster and finding what he feels would be the best formula for winning another World Series title, his first as a major league manager.
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It’s redemption time for this team, and now they’ve got an even bigger task to overcome. While money issues have been made apparent, the division itself has strengthened. Personally speaking, the National League Central has to be the toughest division in all of professional baseball.
There will be even more pressure to win ball games considering the circumstances, but it is do-able. This organization still possesses some of the best talents this league has to offer.
Last season, the Cubs had their home opener on Monday, April 8, with the Pirates in town. A six-run second inning would lead to a 10-0 victory to open their first homestand of the season.
However, they would finish that week 3-2 as their Sunday finale with the Angels was postponed due to inclement weather. Due to a few hiccups, most notably within the bullpen, Chicago ended the season 84-78.
In his final season with the Cubs, then skipper Joe Maddon held the divisions best home record with 51 wins and 30 losses. Of course, it can’t all be gravy as the team struggled on the road, turning in an N.L. Central worst 33-48 record.
If you’re expecting to make a deep run into the postseason, then you need to be able to win on the road. Something this team was able to do during their World Series campaign in which they ended 57-24 at Wrigley and 46-34 as visitors.
Next. Heyward could thrive in absence of expectations. dark
Although this weekend series with Milwaukee is their first of the year, it’s an important series right off the bat. The Brewers are expected to compete for the division title. As are the St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds, leaving the Pirates as a wild card of the Central.
Welcome back, baseball. We’ve missed you more than you will ever know. Now let’s enjoy this season and hope these boys can bring home another trophy.
Happy Opening Day!