Which NL teams are the Chicago Cubs biggest threats?

Oct 13, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; The Chicago Cubs celebrate after defeating the St. Louis Cardinals 6-4 in game four of the NLDS at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 13, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; The Chicago Cubs celebrate after defeating the St. Louis Cardinals 6-4 in game four of the NLDS at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports /
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Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports
Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports /

Which National League teams are the biggest threat to the Chicago Cubs?

Is there a team in the National League that can prevent the Chicago Cubs from reaching the World Series for the first time since 1945?

More from Da Windy City

According to Vegas Insider, the Chicago Cubs are the current favorites to represent the NL in the 2016 World Series with 7 to 2 odds of accomplishing this feat.

Although many Cubs fans feel that a trip to the World Series in 2016 is a forgone conclusion, this idea presents a flawed line of thinking. Unforeseen circumstances such as injuries, regressions in performance and plain bad luck (Cubs fans should know a lot about that) might hamper any Cubs bid to represent the NL in the World Series next season.

Furthermore, the NL has several talented teams that can challenge the Chicago Cubs for NL supremacy. The following list presents the Cubs four most serious challengers in no particular order. Current roster makeup, free-agent acquisitions, players lost in free agency and 2015 results were all factors I considered when compiling this list.

The St. Louis Cardinals, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Francisco Giants and New York Mets are all teams that could represent the NL in the World Series instead of the Cubs.

Next: The Cardinal Way