Chicago Cubs' Season Outlook: Predictions and Expectations for 2019

As a die-hard St. Louis Cardinals fan, my fervent hope is that the Cubs will struggle and barely make it to the playoffs, if at all. However, Realistically, the Cubs are projected to win 91 to 95 games and face a tough challenge against the Dodgers in the National League (NL) Championship Series.

Team Breakdown and Issues

The Chicago Cubs entered the 2019 season with several question marks. While their defense looks solid, there are numerous issues that could derail their performance. Here is a detailed look at the areas of concern:

Starting Rotation

Lester's Fading Performance: The performance of Jon Lester, their ace, is a key factor. Will he maintain his form from previous seasons or start to fade? Hamels' Season Longevity: Jake Arrieta's departure has brought Jon Lester and Jose Quintana into the rotation, but what about Journeyman Cole Hamels? Can he pitch a full season as effectively as he did after his arrival? Darvish's Health: Yu Darvish's health and effectiveness will be crucial. Can he stay healthy and provide consistent pitching throughout the season? Empty Spot Concern: The Cubs currently have an empty spot in their starting rotation. Who will step in when an injury occurs?

Offense

Offensive Rebound: After a disappointing end to last year and a short playoff run, how can the offense bounce back? Leadoff Role: Who will take over in the leadoff role this season? Bryant's Health: Will Anthony Rizzo’s replacement, Kris Bryant, come back fully healthy and reclaim his form? Baez's MVP Season: Will Billy Baez be able to replicate his MVP season from 2018? Almora's Reliability: Can Albert Almora Jr. maintain his hitting prowess if he is the every-day center fielder? Contreras' Consistancy: Will David Baez get back to his 2017 performance levels? Heyward's Improvement: Can Jason Heyward continue his upward trend from 2018? Russell's Rebound: How will Javier Baez deal with his suspension and struggles from the previous season?

Bullpen

Kimbrel’s Availability: The Cubs need to secure the services of Brandon Kibe, but can they sign him or find an alternative? Morrow's Health: Mark Montgomery’s health and performance will be important. Can he return to form? Lefty Hitters' Effectiveness: Can lefty pitchers get left-handed batters out effectively? Young Bowmen's Performance: Can young relievers like Lewis Thorpe and Yohander minimally step up when needed?

Given these uncertainties, the Cubs' overall outlook is mixed. However, faced with a tough division, they are projected to finish last or near last, despite their largely unchanged roster from the previous year.

The Road Ahead for Cubs

Despite the challenges, the Cubs have a solid lineup, particularly their starting rotation. However, the bullpen and the offensive performance will be critical. They may win the division if their pitching remains strong, but a faltering season could see them at the bottom.

My prediction is that they will finish second or third in the division and secure a Wild Card berth against the Cardinals, setting up an epic one-game playoff. Their performance in the Wild Card game and beyond will depend on their health, performance, and team dynamics.

Whether the Cubs will find success in the playoffs is another matter. If they make it past the Wild Card round, it will be a challenging journey filled with room for improvement and potential setbacks.