Other: Chicago Cubs
We couldn’t not feature the Cubs here. They’re very close to the playoffs and, of course, are the defending World Series champions. While Chicago doesn’t currently hold a playoff spot, it has to be considered a “playoff team.”
The good news for the Cubs is that things seem to be heading in the right direction.
This weekend was the first time the Cubs swept the Cardinals at Wrigley Field since July of 2006. pic.twitter.com/NMVNKXkhKJ
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 5, 2017
The bad news is that before that sweep was a completely underwhelming two months of baseball.
Offensively, Chicago has dealt with many of the same problems as Cleveland in 2017. But the Indians have been able to depend on a lights-out bullpen that has, by far, the best ERA in all of baseball.
The Cubs have had a good bullpen, but it’s been far from overwhelming. The starting pitching has been well below average, especially given the names it features.
Things may be heading in the right direction in Chicago. But the Cubs have a long way to before they can match 2016’s level.