Like every MLB season since 2001, a team will not win back-to-back World Series championships. The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Chicago Cubs in the National League Championship Series four games-to-one.
Although the Dodgers dominated the Cubs in the NLCS, there are multiple factors that played into the Cubs’ elimination. One cannot discount the fact that the Dodgers outscored the Cubs 26-8 in five games. However, the Dodgers’ skill is simply one aspect of the situation.
World Series hangover’s repurcussions
First, the Cubs suffered a horrible World Series hangover in the first half of the season.