The Chicago Cubs, led by all-stars Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Addison Russell, and Jake Arrieta, have had a season to remember this year. Currently sitting at the top of the MLB at 89-48, the Cubs are favorites to win the World Series this year. The Chicago Cubs’ biggest reasons for success this year are their strong starting rotation and their loaded bullpen. The Cubs currently have the best ERA (earned run average per nine innings) in the MLB at 3.09. To put that in perspective, the closest team to them in that category is the Washington Nationals, who have a 3.44 ERA.
Joe Maddon, one of the smartest and most experienced managers in the game, is a major key to the Cubs’ success this season. Maddon’s in-game strategies and techniques are a result of many of the Cubs’ 89 wins.
Maddon has tons of experience, especially from back in 2008, when he led his Tampa Bay Rays team to a World Series. Unfortunately, they lost to the 2008 World Series Champions, the Philadelphia Phillies. His experience in that season should come into play as the Cubs are heavy favorites to win the National League Pennant and make the World Series.
The Cubs, with an abundant amount of pure and young talent, could become a force to be reckoned with in the coming years. To add to the young talent, on July 26th, the Cubs acquired the hardest throwing pitcher in the game, Aroldis Chapman. Chapman was a great acquisition by the Cubs because he has years of experience that could result in veteran leadership down the road. Chapman was a key addition because he is one of the best closers in the game. Having Chapman in the back of the bullpen late in the game — with his fastball that averages over 100 miles per hour — could give the Cubs just what they need to propel them to a championship.
The All-Star game this year, held in San Diego, showcased all of the Cubs’ talent. With a league-leading nine players voted into the All-Star game by the fans, numerous Cubs players impacted the game, which is the deciding factor for home field advantage in the World Series. Even though the National League fell short in the end of the game, Kris Bryant showed his superstar ability by hitting a solo home run off of one of the best pitchers in the game, Chris Sale. Although the Cubs had nine all-stars voted in, only six played. These were Jon Lester, Ben Zobrist, Anthony Rizzo, Addison Russell, and Kris Bryant. A player who missed out on the All-Star Game, Kyle Hendricks, has really proved all the doubters wrong. Hendricks, who is currently 14-7 with a MLB-leading 2.07 ERA, has had a season to remember, being a very underrated player who has helped out the Cubs a lot.
Look out for the Chicago Cubs, not only this year, but in the many years to come. With 25 games remaining until the playoffs start, the Cubs will be contending for their first World Series Title since 1908, 108 years ago. You can bet that the city of Chicago has been looking forward to see the their favorite baseball team win a World Series, and it might all just happen in front of their eyes in the coming weeks.
Photo Credits via MCT Campus
