The Chicago Cubs are still major threats to win it all
Despite hovering around .500 all season, the Chicago Cubs are now in the perfect position to run away with the division.
After winning the World Series for the first time in 108 years, the Chicago Cubs were heavily favored to repeat this season. However, thus far, they haven’t lived up to that hype. Some have attributed the Cubs season long mediocrity as championship hangover. But with 45 games remaining, the Cubs could be in the best position to gain momentum and surge a deep postseason run.
As of now, the Chicago Cubs sit a game and a half in front of the St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers and four and a half in front of Pittsburgh. They’re currently 62-56 and have split their last 10 games.
This season, the Cubs have struggled with consistency. Luckily enough for them, the best team doesn’t always win the World Series. Recently, it’s been the hottest teams entering October who has had the deepest runs.
Why the Cubs?
Due to the hole the Cubs gave themselves during the first half of the season, the Cubs don’t have any playoff guarantees. Despite this, I believe Chicago will win their division. For the Cubs, the time is now to get hot, run away with the division, and gain momentum entering the playoffs.
Down the stretch, the Cubs have an extremely favorable schedule on paper. Chicago will finish their four game series against Cincinnati, play Toronto at home, go to Cincinnati and then travel to Philadelphia. During this stretch, Chicago plays all teams currently in last place.
Of the 13 series that the Chicago Cubs have left to play, only four are against teams with records above .500. Those series being against division threats St. Louis and Milwaukee.
The Chicago Cubs could not have a better stretch of games to end the season with.
What the weak schedule means
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Due to the low-quality competition Chicago is facing down the stretch, I believe the Cubs can get hot right in time to square off against St. Louis and Milwaukee at the end of the season. Obviously with how close the division is, those division matchups are critical to winning the division.
The Cubs can take advantage of their weak schedule to figure things out and make sure they’re clicking on all cylinders for when they need to. The Cubs have a very strong potential to enter the playoffs as one of the hottest squads if they take advantage down the stretch.
St. Louis has been very hot recently, winning eight of their last ten. So, before even thinking about possible playoff runs, the Chicago Cubs need to focus on taking the most advantage of their schedule as they can. If Joe Maddon wants to ensure things are clicking, there is no more time to waste.
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Although the Dodgers look nearly unstoppable and Washington still looks strong I still believe in the Cubs. I believe Chicago can compete with those big dogs come October. However, first, they have to take advantage of their schedule and win the division before considering a possible repeat.