Brewers (8-11) vs Cubs (14-5) series preview

I don't have a strong distaste for the Chicago Cubs like I once did. I know, I know. That's blasphemous to say round these parts. But two of my closest friends are huge Cubs fans and ever since I started writing about more than just the Brewers for other sites, I've kind of lost that burning hated for certain clubs--though part of me will always hate the Cardinals because I'm not a monster.

So when I tell you I believe the Cubs had the best offseason among the 30 clubs and are probably the best team in baseball, it probably hurts me less to say that than it does you to hear it. I'm sorry folks. But it's true. Or at least it's true that I wholeheartedly believe the Cubs are the best team in baseball. They just have no real holes.

Perhaps the "weakest" part of their team is the rotation. But even that's pretty stacked. Jake Arrieta and Jon Lester could front almost any rotation. John Lackey, douchey though he may be, is still a really good pitcher. I'm always going to be a little skeptical of Jason Hammel and Kyle Hendricks. But at worst they're perfectly capable back-end starters and at best they're solid mid-rotation pitchers.

I love the lineup. Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant are offensive giants. Jason Heyward someone gets severely underrated for his offensive skill set. Him along with Ben Zobrist and Dexter Fowler are excellent on-base guys who provide some pop. Addison Russell and Jorge Soler still have to prove their prospect hype was justified. If they do that's the most dominating lineup in baseball.

Anything can happen in baseball so I won't say the Cubs are a lock to win this division. But I'd be a little surprised if they don't. And I'm extremely confident we'll see them in the playoffs again this year. And you know what? I hope they stay good for a really long time. I'm looking forward to watching the next competitive Brewers team topple them in a few years.

Games
Tuesday, April 26 - 7:05 pm CT: Jimmy Nelson vs Kyle Hendricks
Wedensday, April 27 - 7:05 pm CT: Taylor Jungmann vs Jake Arrieta
Thursday, April 28 - 1:20 pm CT: Zach Davies vs Jon Lester

Starting Lineup
C: Miguel Montero
1B: Anthony Rizzo
2B: Ben Zobrist
3B: Kris Bryant
SS: Addison Russell
LF: Jorge Soler
CF: Dexter Fowler
RF: Jason Heyward

Starting Rotation
RHP: Jake Arrieta
LHP: Jon Lester
RHP: John Lackey
RHP: Jason Hammel
RHP: Kyle Hendricks

High Leverage Relievers
Hector Rondon (CL)
Travis Wood
Pedro Strop

Statistics courtesy of FanGraphs

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