By Trevor Roughan
Chicago Cubs – over 77.5 wins (-115)
It was a devastating month for the Cubs. After a surprisingly hot start, Chicago accumulated a 10-17 record in May. That stretch includes a five-game run in which the team was outscored 47-15 and lost each contest. Yikes. Even though Chicago has dug itself into a slight hole, there are several reasons to believe in the team moving forward.
The Cubs’ starting rotation is dynamite, just as we expected coming into the season. Marcus Stroman looks like his vintage Blue Jays self, allowing two earned runs or less in all but one of his six starts in May. Justin Steele has continued to fly under the radar of most MLB fans. Despite a couple of rough starts, Steele still owns a sub-three ERA and 6-2 win-loss record. Drew Smiley has been great as well. Kyle Hendricks, the only remaining Cub from the 2016 championship team, recently returned from a long-spanning right shoulder injury. Despite Jameson Taillon’s intense struggles, the Cubs’ rotation is still among the best in the league.
Chicago’s lineup has been a head-scratcher. Most of the Cubs’ starting position players are hitting at an average to above-average level, some boasting high batting averages. There’s just one problem: they have no pop!
Every lineup regular, outside of Patrick Wisdom and Christopher Morel, has six homers or less. What’s more, both of these players have a hard time cracking the top six spots in the lineup due to their collective inability to get on base consistently. Outside of a trade or two, Chicago will be depending on Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki to pick up the pace in the home run column. Both of these players have demonstrated a proven ability to hit for power in the past and must do so to give the Cubs a chance.
The bullpen has been a liability for the Cubs and might be the club’s greatest concern. Albert Alzolay and especially Mark Leiter Jr. have been great thus far, but the list ends there. Trusted pieces from last year, like Brandon Hughes, have underperformed, and high-upside fliers, like Michael Fulmer, have flamed out. Often, the Cubs have been competitive in games until the bullpen is called upon. Chicago will have its hands full trying to find a remedy for this issue.
At this point in the season, the Cubs are on pace for 72 total wins. Chicago still has a fighting chance to hit the over at 78, but has much to address to become competitive. With a good front office and an even better manager at its disposal, the Cubs should get the benefit of the doubt in this regard so early into the season. And hey, at least the Cubbies aren’t the worst team in Chicago.
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