Chicago Cubs: Bucking The Odds For A Repeat Title
At first glance, you would have to say that the Chicago Cubs have a 50-50 chance of claiming a back to back World Series title in 2017. So what is the real chance that the Cubs can repeat and take a giant leap towards validating themselves as a Baseball Dynasty…….
A Look Back At The Repeaters
Let’s begin with some simple facts. Since the modern era of baseball began in 1901, a glance at the history of World Series winners shows that the feat of achieving back to back titles has been accomplished by only seven franchises. Oddly, the Chicago Cubs are one of those franchises, having won titles in 1907 and 1908.
To round out the others, the New York Giants (1921-22), Boston Red Sox (1915-16), Toronto Blue Jays (1992-93), and the last National League team to do it, the Big Red Machine Cincinnati Reds (1975-76).
Beyond that, there have been only two three peat teams, the 1972-74 Oakland A’s and the record book shattering New York Yankees , who once even won four titles in a row from 1949-1953. And that’s it. So, it would appear that the Cubs are bucking the odds as they seek another title next season.
Las Vegas Says Yes, The Cubs Can…….
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But nevertheless, the Chicago Cubs were installed as the favorite to go back to back only hours after the World Series concluded. According to International Business Times , The Westgate Las Vegas Superbook has given Chicago 3/1 betting odds to win the Fall Classic for a second straight year, per ESPN. No other team has odds that are particularly close.
Oh no, here we go with yet another curse. But if you’re curious, here’s how Vegas sees their competition. Boston is the favorite in the American League with 10/1 odds, putting them ahead of the Cleveland Indians. The Indians swept the Red Sox in the ALDS before blowing a 3-1 World Series lead, and they are tied with the Houston Astros and New York Mets with 12/1 odds.
So in effect, with 3-1 odds favoring the Cubs to win another title, Las Vegas is saying that the Cubs will win three times before they lose once. Or if you are a betting person, it means that you would have to bet $300 to win $100 if you agree that the Cubs will go back to back.
In reality and away from all the numbers, the Cubs have their work cut out for themselves. And you don’t have to look to far back to find the litany of teams who have failed miserably (Kansas City Royals in 2016) in their quest for back to back World Series wins.
The Cubs Face Challenges
The most daunting of the challenges facing them is the season itself, with the grind of 162 games with a target on your back and a patch on your uniform that reads “World Champions”. Where you have even the lowliest of teams looking for that one shining moment in their season when they can say, “We swept the Cubs in a series in their own backyard”.
Then, there is always the possibility of a key injury to a player or two that can quickly put a damper on even the best laid plans (just ask the Mets how that feels). And beyond that, there is the temperament of the club and how they “feel” about the upcoming season when the euphoria of October has worn off in April. And do they show signs of complacency, or do they reel off a 12-3 stretch to open the season firing on all cylinders.
In the end, I suppose the only thing we can say is that if anyone can repeat again, the Cubs are the team best equipped to do it. They’ll need a closer if indeed Ardolis Chapman defects to the Yankees, and they’ll need to hope that their recent signing of John Jay equals the production they received last season from the soon to be departing Dexter Fowler . But other than that, they appear to be set.
Next: Breaking down the Hall of Fame ballot
Only one thing is certain though. The Chicago Cubs are about to find out that there’s a vast difference between being the defending champs and the up and coming team that won the World Series last season. How they meet that challenge is destined to be one of the biggest and best stories to follow in 2017.