It was 108 years since the Chicago Cubs won a World Series, but Cubs fans will not have to wait long for the next championship parade. The Cubs will become the first back-to-back World Champion to come from the National League since the the 1975-76 Cincinnati Reds.
Bold statement? Well maybe, maybe not, and even though it’s early, at this moment the Cubs are definitely a favorite to win the 2017 World Series. So sit back, relax, and put your Cubbie Kool-aid goggles on, because we are about to show you why the Cubs will repeat as World Series champions.
5. Staring pitching
The Chicago Cubs had the best starting rotation in baseball in 2016, having a staff ERA under 3.00. With the reigning NL Cy Young award winner in Jake Arrieta, and the two runners up for the 2016 NL Cy Young award – one should feel pretty confident that the 2017 staff will be strong again.
Potential 2017 rotation
1. Jon Lester – 19 wins, 2.44 ERA
2. Jake Arrieta – 2015 Cy Young, 2-0 with a 2.38 ERA in the WS
3. Kyle Hendricks – 2.13 ERA, sub 2.00 ERA in NLCS and WS
4. John Lackey – 3.35 ERA, 1.057 WHIP
5. Mike Montgomery – 2.52 ERA, 11 playoff appearances
Three Cy Young caliber pitchers up top, and a John Lackey that could bounce back to have an improved season over last, closing out with one of the most important pitchers of the Cubs playoff run. If the top three reproduce their 2016 production – 2017 will be a great season.
