Chicago Cubs: Las Vegas sets win total for 2020 club

Caesar’s Palace, in Las Vegas, has released their projected win totals for all MLB clubs, and they have the Chicago Cubs finishing with a total of 86 wins.

Despite finishing with 95 wins during the regular season in 2018, the Chicago Cubs limped their way to the finish line, losing the NL Central in a winner-take-all Game 163 with the Milwaukee Brewers. The Cubs’ offensive woes appeared in the Wild Card game, hosting the Colorado Rockies at Wrigley Field and were immediately sent packing. Flash forward to 2019, and it was more of the same. This time, their record reflected their on-field play, a disappointing 84 wins, and a third-place finish within the division.

Caesar’s Palace, in Las Vegas, has released their projected win totals for all Major League Baseball teams, and they have the Cubs finishing marginally better in 2020 with 86 wins. A two-game improvement from last year would seem to make sense, given the roster is essentially the same. That could decrease substantially if the Cubs were to part with Kris Bryant or Willson Contreras before the season begins.

The good news, though, is that Vegas predicts only five National League teams to finish ahead of the Cubs next year in the Dodgers (99), Braves (92), Nationals (89.5), Cardinals (88.5), and Mets (86.5). The Mets win total may drop between now and the season after the team mutually parted ways with new manager, Carlos Beltran, in the wake of the Houston Astros cheating scandal. Yes, the roster remains intact, but it’s not an ideal situation to find a makeshift manager less than a month away from pitchers and catchers reporting.

The Cubs offseason has been underwhelming for the second straight year, but it could be a matter of the team needs to play better. However, the results on the field the last two seasons have left a lot to be desired. Would 86 wins be enough to sneak into one of the Wild Card spots? Potentially, but the goal should be much higher than just making the postseason.