The Cubs' World Series victory was, for many Cubs fans, the highlight of their sports-watching lives. But the blessing of seeing the Cubs play deep into October was a double-edged sword: the additional starts and pitches thrown brought the possibility of more injuries and fatigue in the following year.
“So my biggest concern… coming off a long postseason are injuries and the inability to get them properly rehabbed,” manager Joe Maddon said at the Winter Meetings in December.
Maddon doesn’t need to worry. While the Cubs could be slightly more vulnerable due to their aging hurlers, pitchers and hitters don’t show any major playoff hangover effect.