2019 MLB Season: In the NL, it’s The Wild Wild… Central?

2019 MLB Season: Chicago Cubs (46-42)

The Glaring Need:

The Chicago Cubs most glaring need lies in their relief pitching.  While the addition of closer Craig Kimbrel puts a lot of credibility in a bullpen that ranks 24th in reliever WAR, there’s still work to be done getting to him.

The rock that was Pedro Strop has cracked this season, and Brandon Morrow has been a non-factor and seems slated to miss the remainder of the season.  There isn’t much of anything down on the farm for the Cubs to call up, so you can count on them looking to the trade market to try and solidify a shaky pen.

The Winning Case:

However, the lineup is good enough to carry the team, if needed.  While it lacks a true leadoff hitter, it’s hard to argue with Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, and Javy Baez anchoring the middle of it.

If Jason Heyward can find his stroke at the plate, and Kyle Schwarber contribute the way he’s shown in years past, then this is a team that can put up runs in bunches and makes pitchers work. It’s going to take a lot of the Cubs to walk away with the division, but we can never count them out.