Da Windy City
Fansided

2017 MLB Season Preview: Da Windy City predicts Chicago Cubs and White Sox season

By Carlos Nazario

Jul 26, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs shortstop Addison Russell (27) slides safely into third base against Chicago White Sox third baseman Todd Frazier (21) during the first inning at U.S. Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 26, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs shortstop Addison Russell (27) slides safely into third base against Chicago White Sox third baseman Todd Frazier (21) during the first inning at U.S. Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

Matt Squires, staff contributor

Chicago Cubs  

The Chicago Cubs will look to defend their 2016 World Series trophy with a new-look team. Many of the same faces return, but there are some new guys that will play big roles on the 2017 Cubs. The Cubs lost some important pieces in Dexter Fowler, Jorge Soler, Travis Wood and Aroldis Chapman.

The combination of Jon Jay and Albert Almora will take over center field duties, but it will be difficult for the to match Fowler’s production at the plate. Almora’s defensive prowess will help take pressure off Kyle Schwarber in left field, as well. A full season of 2016 World Series hero, Kyle Schwarber, should improve an already great offense.

Jason Heyward has retooled his swing over the offseason, so hopefully we see an improvement at the dish in 2017. If he is able to return to even his career average of .262/.346/.415 the Cubs would benefit in a multitude of ways.

Record: 96-66

I do believe the Cubs take a step back in the win column, at least. I predict 96 wins this year barring multiple significant injuries. 96 wins would be seven fewer wins from last year’s 103-win team.

NL Central finish: First place

If the Cubs win 96 games, it will be plenty to win the NL Central Division, again. I believe the NL Central race will be similar to last year. The Cubs will dominate, but not as much as last year.

Playoff result: World Series Champions

The Chicago Cubs will finish the 2017 season as back-to-back World Series champions after they beat Theo Epstein’s old team, the Boston Red Sox, in seven games.

Chicago White Sox

Unlike their city counterpart, the Chicago White Sox are going to one of the worst baseball teams in the league. The Sox had a busy offseason trading away ace pitcher Chris Sale and Adam Eaton. Granted, they received a monster return for Sale headline by Yoan Moncada.

The young second baseman may be the lone bright spot for the White Sox when or if he makes it to the big leagues in 2017. Eaton was sent to the Washington Nationals for a decent return. It’s simple; the White Sox are in rebuild mode. Jose Quintana has also consistently been mentioned in trade rumors throughout Spring Training.

Record: 67-95

After a mediocre 78-win season, I believe the White Sox take a large leap backward in the win department. The losses of Chris Sale and Adam Eaton are going to be very difficult to overcome.

AL Central finish: Last place

The White Sox will finish last in the AL Central. A bad offense and bad pitching do not result in a lot of wins.

Playoff result

 Sorry, White Sox fans. It looks like your October will be free of playoff baseball. And will be for the next couple years.

Home/Chicago Cubs