Every year in sports, there seems to be that one team of the year. This year in baseball, that team is the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs are affectionately known as "the Loveable Losers" since they have not won a World Series title since 1908, not even being in the series since 1945. Their championship drought is one of the longest and most well documented in all of professional sports. This year, however, it has seemed to have changed. The Cubs have been the best team in baseball, clinching the NL Central on September 15th, with a season record of 103-58. Many fans on Chicago's North Side believe this is the year they get to bring a title back to Chicago. The team has been the best in baseball in 2016. So, here is why the Chicago Cubs will win the 2016 World Series.
Youth Movement
Over the last couple of seasons, baseball has seen a movement towards youth. The Cubs are one of the teams that have lead this movement, with an influx of young players making a significant impact on their season. Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, Addison Russell, Wilson Contreras, and others have all made a huge impact on the Cubs this season, really leading the team to one of baseball's best records.
Key Veteran Players
Not only do the Cubs have great young players, but they also have had key contributions from veteran players. These players, such as Ben Zobrist, Jon Lester, John Lackey, David Ross, and more have all molded together with their younger players to create a dynamic team. They provide clubhouse leadership on any baseball team, and the Cubs are no different.
A Manager Who Can Hold a Team Together
Joe Maddon is one of baseball's best managers, having led Chicago to its best regular season since the Great Depression. He has been able to mold the Cubs youth with veterans in his first two years as manager of the Cubs. The 2015 NL Manager of the Year, Maddon has proved to be one of the best minds in baseball, and this Cubs team proves it.
Numerous Award Candidates
Second year man Kris Bryant had another great season, and the 2015 Rookie of the Year seems to be in the running for the MVP award. Meanwhile, pitchers Jon Lester and Kyle Hendricks are both on the list to be considered as Cy Young award candidates, given out to each league's best pitcher. Also, manager Joe Maddon should be in consideration for the manager of the year. He led Chicago to its first 100 win season since 1935.
Destiny
Sometimes the best way to say why a team will win is simple: they are destined to. The 1986 New York Mets and 2004 Boston Red Sox are among the numerous baseball teams that have supposedly won through this belief. The Cubs have not won a World Series since 1908. Computers would not be around for another 50 years. The Cubs last appearance in the World Series was in 1945, the year World War II ended, and 71 years ago. This year, however, just seems like the year for the Cubbies. They won over 100 games this year, and it was not a fluke. Many believed this would finally be the year for the Chicago Cubs. Also, this seems like a year of destiny in sports, after the Cavaliers won Cleveland's first sports title since 1964. The same fate could easily fall on the Chicago Cubs.
