For the first time in a very, very long time it is a GREAT year to be a Chicago Cubs fan. If you're an avid baseball fan you know that the Chicago Cubs have had a rough few years. The last time the Cubs won a World Series was in 1908. Yup, 108 years ago. However last year was the closest the Cubs have been to a World Series game since 1945. Last season the Cubs were able to beat the dreaded St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Series three games to one. Unfortunately the Cubs fell to the Mets in the NLCS. However it was the Cub's first NLCS appearance in 12 years as well as the first time in the franchise's history that they had a playoff series at their home field. 
Though many people may have already forgotten about the Cubs' amazing feats last season, us real fans haven't. With Spring Training just getting started, regular season play is just around the corner and this season is going to be one for the books. In fact, the Chicago Cubs are favored to win the 2016 World Series. After these past few weeks, it is easy to see why the Cubs are favored to win. Though many sports websites had the Cubs picked to win the 2016 World Series back in 2015, these past few weeks have shed even more light on why the Cubs will win.
One of the reasons the Cubs should be favored now more than ever is Jason Heyward. Heyward had previously played for the Cardinals but the Cubs were able to sign him for an eight year contract in December 2015. Heyward has long been a key player for the Cardinals. He finished last season with a .293 batting average, .359 on-base percentage, and .439 slugging percentage. Fans everywhere went crazy when news of the deal broke. Heyward is going to be a big advantage in the Cubs outfield.
Another key player for the Cubs in this upcoming season will be Dexter Fowler. Fowler played with the Cubs last season and there was much speculation that he wouldn't be coming back. In fact, many rumors were flying that Fowler had already signed with Orioles when the news broke on February 25 of this year that Fowler would be returning to the Cubs for one more season. Those who watched the Cubs last year know what an asset he is to the team. With a .267 batting average and a total of 65 home runs for the 2015 season Fowler will hopefully be a solid bat and outfielder again this season.
Fowler and Heyward are just a few of the reasons the Cubs will prosper this season . The Cubs team is pretty stacked in both the infield and the outfield. With Rizzo, Bryant, Baez, and Russel most likely being in the infield it's hard to see how any grounders will find their way off the dirt. Even if that isn't going to be the set infield, the Cubs roster is full of great candidates that will stop anything that comes to them. Rizzo and Bryant were both very solid hitters for the Cubs last season and no one expects them to slow down anytime soon. In fact, the whole Cubs roster this season seems to have no problem with both hitting and fielding. A good portion of last years team will be returning for the 2016 season so if the Cubs play like they did last year, I have no doubt they will make another appearance in the NLCS and possibly even the World Series. Can the streak be broken?
