After winning the World Series in 2016, the Chicago Cubs have been left with two ‘down years. Another trip to the NLCS, and a quick exit after losing a one-game playoff for the division, then the Wild Card game to the Colorado Rockies. PECOTA has them pegged for 79 wins–which make absolutely no sense. Metrics are great. But the mental side of the Cubs this season is what will make them even more of a threat to the rest of the league.
With the injuries the Cubs bullpen suffered last season, Steve Cishek was forced into the highest number of innings he had pitched in his career.