The playoffs are back, baby, and for the first time in a long time, so are the Chicago Cubs! The Cubbies have not made the playoffs in seven long seasons, and haven't been to the World Series in 70 years. 70 years. 70! So what is it that makes this year different? I'll give you five reasons why the Cubs will end their World Series drought this year.
1. Joe Maddon.
@CubsJoeMadd / Twitter
Maddon is one of, if not the most interesting manager in all of baseball. His quirky antics and positive attitude in the clubhouse makes him the perfect fit for such a young squad. Maddon is also experienced in the playoffs, and recently brought a similar young team in the 2008 Tampa Bay Rays to the World Series. There are many parallels between Maddon's current Cubs team and his Tampa Bay team, who were only a step away from winning the big dance. Maddon is determined to take that final step with Chicago this year.
2. Momentum.
The Cubs are comin' in hot! They have won their last nine games, including Wednesday night's heated 4-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. This momentum is something that will carry them far over other playoff teams who are limping into October. The San Francisco Giants proved last year when they won their Wild Card game. Momentum can affect morale, and when they used that boost to carry them through the National League and to the World Series, the Giants beat the Kansas City Royals 4-3. And what team did the Giants beat in their wild card game just like the Cubs this year? The Pittsburgh Pirates... Maybe they are the magic stepping stone every team needs to defeat to head to the world series? Or maybe that's just speculation, but either way, history tends to have a way of repeating itself. #Believe
3. Jake Arrieta.
@ESPN / Twitter
Arrieta is the ace at the top of the lineup that every World Series champion needs. Every time he steps on the mound the Cubs can chalk a W up on their side. Arrieta has pitched well all year posting a record of 22-6 throughout the 2015 season with a 1.77 era. Arrieta has been unstoppable, and with his shutout win in the wild card game against the Pirates, it looks like he is showing no signs of slowing down. Similar to Madison Bumgarner of the World Series winning Giants last season, Arrieta is an ace who the Cubs only have to worry about when they can start him next.
4. Youth.
Including Arrieta, the Chicago Cubs have an extremely young and ring-hungry championship caliber team. The average age of the players on the Cubs roster is an impressive 28.3 years. This makes the Cubs the eighth youngest team in all of baseball, and the youngest team to have made the playoffs in the National League. This youth and energy is something that will carry the Cubs deep into the playoffs. Playoff experience is nearly non-existent on their roster, but who better to lead the way than manager Joe Maddon? Maddon will have his team well prepared for every matchup and use his team's energy to his advantage.
5. It's about damn time!
The Chicago Cubs have been a playoff disaster for years, and with the help of Joe Maddon, their ace Jake Arrieta, and the rest of their youth, the Cubs are prepared to ride their momentum and energy to the World Series where they haven't been in 70 years. The Cubbies have Steve Bartman, and all other curses behind them, and are poised to bring a championship back to Wrigley Field. With Moises Alou and all of Chicago behind them chanting, "GO CUBS GO," Be prepared to witness Jake Arrieta closing out a Cubs World Series victory this November.
@fanschicagocubs / Twitter
