Being a Cubs fan is difficult. For years, we have had to deal with constant heartbreak and the scorn and ridicule from other fanbases. However, it seems our faith in our Cubs might finally be rewarded, as they are heavy favorites over the Dodgers in the NLCS.
However, to many, it does not matter how good the Cubs are. Since they are the Cubs, they will find a way to blow this opportunity like they have in the past. These clichéd statements include, but are not limited to, "108 years and counting! The goat is waiting to strike! There's always next year, Cubbie fans!" Sure, there is some merit to these narratives. In their playoff appearances since 1908, the Cubs were either overmatched, or they found creative/bizarre ways to lose. However, those playoffs are in the past. The 2016 version of the Cubs is strong in nearly every facet of the game.
I am no expert in using advanced MLB stats to explain how good the Cubs are, but anyone who has watched a decent amount of Cub games this year can tell you that this team passes the eye test at all levels. Their defense is incredible, which complements an amazing pitching staff. The team has a great mix of young and veteran talent, and their relentless offense always finds a way to come through. This talent is headlined by their eccentric manger Joe Maddon, who knows when to push all the right buttons, and the exceptional front office led by Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer. Epstein and Hoyer, in a matter of four years, have taken a franchise that had no direction at the end of 2011 and molded it into the monster it is today. They brought in elite young talent to make their minor league system one of the best in the game, and that pipeline will make the Cubs contenders for years to come.
These are not the Cubs of '69, '84, '03, or even '08. These are the 2016 Cubs, and they are better than all the aforementioned Cub teams.
Of course, it is still possible the Cubs will not win the World Series this year. Maybe the creativity of Dave Roberts will best the Cubs, or maybe Cleveland/Toronto will ride a wave of momentum through the World Series and continue the Cubs' misery. If this does happen, Cub fans, it is not because of any clichéd narrative that is perpetuated by the media or other fans. It will be because a team was better than the Cubs in a best-of-7 playoff series. It would be another reminder of how cruel postseason baseball can be. No matter the result, Cub fans can take solace in that this franchise is finally in competent hands and will compete for several years. After all, there is always next year, right?
