Cubs Win Total Prediction
After finally ending its World Series curse, what can we expect from the Chicago Cubs in the 2017 season?
According to oddsmakers at BetDSI, the Cubs over/under for wins in 2017 has been set at 96.5. The over and under both carry odds of -115 to hit. Their odds to win the 2017 World Series are listed at +380 currently, while their odds to win the NLCS are at +175.
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The Cubs literally could do no wrong last season. They put up the best record in MLB (103-58), scored the most runs in the league (808) and allowed the fewest (556). It all led to the World Series in a 7-game win over the Indians It was the first World Series title since 1908 and their 103 wins was their most since 1910. Joe Maddon is now returning for his third season with the team. He is 200-123 in two years as manager.
The Cubs had a great 1-2 punch at the plate last season in Anthony Irzzo and Kris Bryant. The two both hit .292 while each totaling over 100 RBI. Rizzo had 32 HR with 109 RBI and 94 runs while Bryant had 39 HR with 102 RBI and 121 runs. Addison Russell added 21 HR and 95 RBI while Ben Zobrist had 76 RBI and 18 HR. Dexter Fowler won’t be back this season, but his loss shouldn’t be felt too much. Kyle Schwarber basically missed all of last season, playing in just two games because of injury, but should be ready to go this season. He had 16 HR and 43 RBI in 69 games in 2015.
The rotation is largely back for Chicago as well, with Jon Lester, Jake Arrieta, Kyle Hendricks and John Lackey all back. Lester was 19-5 with a 2.44 ERA and 197 strikeouts. Arrieta was 18-8 with a 3.10 ERA and 190 K’s. Hendricks was 16-8 with a 2.13 ERA and sub-1.00 WHIP while Lackey was 11-8 with a 3.35 ERA and 180 strikeouts. The team then added Brett Anderson in the offseason. He pitched just four times in 2016, but had a 2015 season where he was 10-9 with a 3.69 ERA for the Dodgers. In the bullpen, Aroldis Chapman was the big closer in the playoffs, but he returned to the Yankees in the offseason. The team still has Hector Rondon, who had 18 saves a year ago. The team also acquired Wade Davis in the offseason. He had 27 saves and a 1.87 ERA in 2016 for the Royals. He also had a 0.94 ERA and 0.79 WHIP in 2015 over 67 innings of work.
The Cubs don’t seem to have lost much of a step from the 2016 team on paper. They certainly seem to be the most complete team in the majors right now. Even if an injury or two was to occur, they have enough talent and enough arms to make up for it. The only real concern would be an emotional dump after finally winning the World Series, but Maddon is a great manager and should have this team rolling along.
2017 MLB SEASON WIN TOTAL PREDICTION: CHICAGO CUBS OVER 96.5