High Expectations: Were they realistic though?

We set high expectations for this Cubs team, but are they fair?

Ormuz Sojo/via Flickr.com

After the Cubs won the World Series in 2016 something seemed to change across Cubs fan base. A fan base that had learned to coin the phrase “Wait till Next Year” now has become an unrelenting, high expectation having bunch.

I think all of us entered this season truly believing that a repeat was going to be easy, but it’s funny how quickly we forget how hard it was to win last year. Yes the regular season seemed to be a breeze, but the postseason was nothing to get cocky about.

Maybe We Have Forgotten

The post-season was anything but a breeze for the Cubs in 2016. In the NLDS the Cubs would win Game 1 against the Giants 1–0 on a Javier Baez home run that the wind tried to keep in the park and just couldn’t. The Cubs were just 3 outs from a game 5 in the NLDS before a miraculous comeback in game 4 where the Cubs managed to score 4 runs and win the series.

On to the NLCS where they faced Clayton Kershaw and the LA Dodgers. In Game 1 of the series it took a late inning grand slam by Miguel Montero to give the Cubs a Game 1 victory. The Dodgers would take the next two games by blanking the Cubs in both and only allowing 6 hits through both games. The team would manage to come back to life and win the next 3 and advance to the World Series.

We all know what happened in the World Series, but maybe we forgot exactly how close we were to waiting until next year. The Indians would take a 3–1 lead in the series and have all of Cubs Nation devastated at the thought of it being over. Throughout MLB history, 44 teams in best-of-seven postseason series have gone down 3–1 with the last two games on the road and only 6 were able to win it all. Well make that 7 now. Our beloved Cubbies didn’t let us down as they won the next 3 games to win their first World Series in 108 years. But wait let’s not forget that if not for a miracle rain delay in Game 7 we might not be talking about any of this. That’s right it took 10 innings, a run delay just to win it all in a Game 7.

My point in all of this is that it wasn’t all that easy to win it last year. Now let’s also look at how hard it is to actually repeat as World Series Champs.

The Repeat Challenge

Since the 1800’s this feat has only been accomplished 15 times. Nine of the 15 repeats have been by either the Yankees or the A’s. The last time any team was able to repeat was again the New York Yankees who managed to 3-peat in 1998–1999–2000. Of all the repeats in MLB history only three National League teams have been able to accomplish this. The 1907–08 Cubs, 1921–22 NY Giants and the Big Red Machine of Cincinnati in 1975 and 1976. So to say that it’s hard to repeat is a bit of an understatement.

What Should Our Expectations Be?

First let me say that there is nothing wrong with hoping or even dreaming of a Cubs World Series Repeat. In fact after seeing how young and talented this team is no one could expect any less than another title. However, our expectations need to be realistic. We need to prepare ourselves for the fact that it just might not happen for the Cubs. As of yesterday the Cubs find themselves sitting 4.5 games back of the Milwaukee Brewers in the Central Division. Not exactly where any of us thought this team would be nearing the All-Star break. In all reality with the number of injuries and the struggles of almost every aspect of this team we are lucky to be sitting that close.

This should give us all at least some hope that they can still manage to win a Central Division with just a little improvement and a little bit of luck swinging their way in the 2nd half. We must accept though that no one is going to give it to them. The Cubs are going to have to do some soul searching and figure out a way to get their Mojo back. As a fan myself I still believe we will see a surge from this team at some point that will at least get a Division title.

Now the next question at hand for the Cubs. We keep hearing about all these possible trade rumors and potential deals they are kicking around, but let me ask you this question.

What deal can they do that suddenly fixes all the problems they currently have?

The answer to this is very simple. There isn’t one. The Cubs do not suffer from a lack of talent. They suffer from something else. Something deeper than any trade can fix. The Cubs need to learn how to have fun again. The 2016 Cubs team was so much fun to watch because they seemed like a bunch of kids just having fun playing a game with a few veterans sprinkled throughout to keep them out of trouble. Sure they can make a splash during the trade deadline and add some quality talent to fill some holes, but without that 2016 Cubbie fun-loving, carefree attitude will it actually be enough?

I just don’t think so. I think the All-Star break just can’t come soon enough. The Cubs are the first team to World Series champ ever to have 0 Players in All-Star Game that played in the World Series in the Previous season. So they will have some time to rest and think.

What we should expect and why we can’t give up yet?

Look as I said earlier we don’t need to bail on this team just yet. There are many factors that have played into the 1st half woes. From the World Series hangover to Injuries the Cubs have managed to hang in there so far. The good news is that they are on the verge of having their entire team back together. Recently they got Ben Zobrist and Jason Heyward back from their DL stints and are soon to get Kyle Hendricks back after the All-Star break. These are good signs, because Joe Maddon has been forced to field a different line-up almost on a daily basis. In the 2nd half a more steady everyday lineup should allow the Cubs to find a little more consistency.

Also with the return of Kyle Hendricks it allows the Cubs to move Mike Montgomery back to the bullpen to help strengthen our middle relief. Oh and of course we have the trade deadline that is nearing. Everyone is looking for the Cubs to make a big splash, but should they be willing to sell the farm to go for it this year? I don’t think that is what direction Theo will be looking to go. In my opinion any move the Cubs make this year should be directed towards a 2018 World Series Championship. Anything will help the 2017 team, but we shouldn’t give up half of the young talent we have to chase back-to-back titles.

I don’t think any of us would be disappointed if we seen the Cubs take a similar approach to what the SF Giants have done the last several years. The every other year approach. They can add pieces that improve the 2017 team but make them realistic contenders in 2018. If they can manage to scrape out a respectable 2017 campaign then I think it’s realistic as fans for us to expect to see them back on top in 2018. After all you can still be a Dynasty by winning it every other year.

Enjoy Being Champions!!

So here is my message to all of my fellow Cubs fans out there feeling frustrated and angry. Relax, Breath and take it all in. We have been Cubs fans for a long time and winning is new to us. If we want to see the fun-loving care-free Cubs of 2016 return then we need to find our peace with the reality that we just might not win it all this year. So for the time being we all need to sit back and take a moment and Enjoy Our Championship team. We are not the Lovable losers anymore, but we could be the Lovable Champs instead.

Craig House has been a Cubs fan his entire life through the ups and down, the trials and tribulations there is one thing that never falters in him-

His Love For The Cubs! Follow him on twitter @Craig_House3.