The Chicago Cubs have enjoyed a prolific start to the new Major League Baseball season and Joe Maddon’s men look well placed to challenge for a place in the World Series this year. In the offseason, the Cubs opted to focus on enhancing and improving their current crop of young stars rather than investing heavily in free agency. Not only has this helped to boost confidence across the side but it’s increased competition for places. This, in turn, has helped to keep everybody in peak condition as they hunt a place in the postseason.
As of April 14th, the Cubs are priced at 13/2 with 32Red Canada to win the MLB playoffs this season and, on current form, it would be hard to argue against Chicago’s chances. This is their best start to the regular season since 1985, which is an incredible achievement in itself. However, we’ve seen teams crumble in the past and the Cubs must remain focused on each game as it comes before looking into records and statistics. Ultimately, the main aim is to reach the playoffs and from there it’s all about the World Series. But for now, Chicago should take it one match at a time.
And to be fair, Chicago’s younger stars have all bought into Maddon’s philosophy – especially on offense. The Cubs are already breaking offensive records and have already walked 48 times in eight matches this season, which is the highest total since 1974. Chicago have won seven of their opening eight fixtures, losing just once so far to the Arizona Diamondbacks. While there is still an awful long way to go, the Cubs are showing signs of consistency, positivity and quality. These are three traits that are needed to succeed in the MLB.
The Chicago Cubs have endured a long time in the doldrums. In fact, it’s 108 years since they last won the World Series but this could well be their year. Plenty of baseball experts seem to believe that the Cubs’ enthusiasm, hunger and talent will stand them in good stead to push for the World Series and they should be featuring in the latter stages of the postseason at the very least. General Manager Jed Hoyer has helped to build a strong roster in Chicago and the likes of Miguel Montero, John Lackey and Jason Heyward will all play key roles – just as they did in the Cubs’ recent victory over Cincinnati Reds.
The Chicago Cubs are so freaking good. That is all.
— Kevin Kugler (@kevinkugler) April 14, 2016
And while the Cubs have enough talent in their ranks to win the competition, there are plenty of other franchises that will feel the same way. The San Francisco Giants and Washington Nationals may be the two main threats to Chicago’s dominance this season, especially if they continue to scrape results whilst playing relatively poorly. Neither side have played anywhere near as well as the Cubs so far but it’s a long, gruelling campaign. There are still plenty of chances for Washington and San Francisco to get it right and, when they do, they’ll be there or thereabouts.
In addition, it would be foolish to dismiss the Baltimore Orioles. While they aren’t as gifted as Chicago, San Francisco or Washington, they are full of confidence and have also won seven of their opening eight matches. The Orioles have one or two real top talents and if they can carry them through the campaign, then they will stand a chance of causing an upset. But right now, Baltimore are priced at 33/1 with both 32Red and 188Bet and unless they can maintain their form for a prolonged spell, they are unlikely to pip the likes of the Boston Red Sox in the American League.
“Baltimore Orioles Bird” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Keith Allison
For now, the Chicago Cubs are looking strong and Maddon’s men are doing all the right things. While it’s too early to make any outright predictions, the Cubs could be on the way to emulating their 1907 and 1908 World Series-winning sides – especially if they continue to inspire confidence and overpower opposing sides in the same vein throughout the regular season.
