Cubs 2018 Season Preview
Ready to check out our 2018 Chicago Cubs predictions? After finally breaking the curse two years ago the Cubs made it to the National League Championship series before being outed by the Los Angeles Dodgers. This year they will look to make another run at that World Series title.
MLB Cubs Predictions & Handicapping Insight
The biggest question surrounding this team this year is how the pitching staff will do. They have the bats if they can figure out the leadoff spot.
The good news for the Cubs though is this is a different team and the expectations are different. If they don’t make the World Series this year will be considered a disappointment which is a very good problem to have.
2018 MLB Team Previews – Chicago Cubs
- National League Central -125
- National League +350
- World Series +700
Key Additions:
- Yu Darvish
- Tyler Chatwood
- Brandon Morrow
For the Cubs the biggest off season additions all surrounding pitching. They brought in Yu Darvish and Tyler Chatwood to bolster the starting rotation, and for Darvish the biggest questions will be surrounding his postseason play.
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They hope that this will be enough to strengthen the bullpen, and really help this team make a push to get back to the World Series.
Key Losses:
- Jake Arrieta
- Wade Davis
- Alex Avila
The Cubs had some pretty big losses, although they addressed filling them with their additions. They let Jake Arrieta and Wade Davis both walk which for that moment made the pitching staff a lot worse.
But with the additions that they also got, they should be okay with the team.
Cubs Predictions: Projected Lineup:
- Albert Almora/Ian Happ, CF
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Willson Contreras, C
- Kyle Schwarber, LF
- Addison Russell, SS
- Jason Heyward, RF
- Javier Baez, 2B
The hitting for this team hasn’t been an issue the last couple years, and won’t be this year. The middle of this lineup with Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo will bring some of the most pop in all the league.
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The big question still surrounding them is the leadoff spot, and what an important spot it is. Albert Almora and Ian Happ are both battling for the position in spring training.
Cubs Predictions: Projected Rotation:
- Yu Darvish, RHP
- Jon Lester, LHP
- Kyle Hendricks, RHP
- Jose Quintana, LHP
- Tyler Chatwood, RHP
Not often can you lose Jake Arrieta and still improve the pitching staff, but that is exactly what the Cubs did. Bring in Yu Darvish gives them a true number one that you can count on for good innings every start,
The fact that Jose Quintana is this team’s number four starter should tell you about everything you need to know about how good this pitching staff is going to be.
Cubs Predictions: Projected Closer:
- Brandon Morrow, RHP
Brandon Morrow has always been more of a setup man, but he will be thrown into the fire this year being named the Cubs starter.
In his career, he only has 18 saves, but he can’t let the pressure be too much. If he can get into a good groove early on in this season he should be fine..
2018 Chicago Cubs Prediction:
The Chicago Cubs are going to be good this year, and they will make the playoffs there is no question about that, the biggest question is how far will they be able to make it once the playoffs roll around.
I think that is a pretty simple question as this team will go along ways in the playoffs, especially with the new rebuilt pitching staff.
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The bats are going to be dynamic again this year, and don’t be surprised if the Cubs win their second title in three years.
What do you think of our 2018 Chicago Cubs predictions? Comments are welcome below.
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