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Bold MLB rankings for all 30 teams heading into 2017

MLB predictions

Tier one: The Cubs

1. Chicago Cubs

Many of the aforementioned teams are close. But if a 2017 MLB ranking has a team other than the 2016 champs in the top spot, it’s author is kidding him/herself. This team belongs in its own tier.

No team is better than the Cubs. In fact, no team is close. Nearly every other team we’ve detailed can have their chances significantly hurt with one or certainly two injuries. Chicago has the depth across the roster to overcome all of that.

If the Cubs stay healthy, all we can do is wish the rest of the league luck. With a nucleus that includes Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, Ben Zobrist, Jake Arrieta, Jon Lester and Wade Davis, Chicago fields what amounts to an All-Star team. Mind you, we didn’t even include Kyle Hendricks, Kyle Schwarber or Willson Contreras.

This is the best team in the league by a wide margin. That doesn’t mean that Chicago is a guarantee to repeat. We all know that in a five or seven-game series, anything can happen. But over 162 games, no team can compete with the Cubs.

The Red Sox broke a long World Series drought in 2004, won again in 2007 and again in 2013. The Giants broke a long drought in 2010 and followed that up with wins in 2012 and 2014. This Cubs team is in significantly better position than either of those teams were following their triumphs.

No team has repeated since the Yankees’ three-peat from 1998-2000. In the National League, the 1975 and 1976 Reds were the last repeat champs. The Cubs are better positioned than any we’ve seen in a while to break those streaks.

Prediction: 96-66, first place, National League Central

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