Will Cubs bounce back in 2019?
After a disappointing showing in the 2018 postseason, will the Chicago Cubs manage to bounce back in 2019 and make another push for the World Series?
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Cubs are currently listed with 12/1 odds to win the 2019 World Series. The Red Sox are a 6/1 favorite while the Houston Astros and New York Yankees each have 7/1 odds. The Cubs have the second-shortest odds to win the NLCS, currently listed at 11/2.
The Chicago Cubs went 95-67 in the 2018 season, finishing tied for the NL Central title. However, the Cubs lost the 1-game playoff for the NL Central title to the Brewers and then lost the 1-game Wild Card playoff to the Rockies in 13 innings. Both losses came at home, making the losses even more difficult to swallow.
Just this week, Chicago GM Jed Hoyer sighted a lack of leadership in the clubhouse as the reason the Cubs were unable to come away with the championship in 2018. In 2016, the Cubs relied on David Ross and Jon Jay for the leadership, but both players were gone last season.
For 2019, the team parted ways with hitting coach Chili Davis and brought in Anthony Iapoce. Joe Maddon is coming into his fifth season as manager of the Cubs. He is 387-261 over his first four seasons, including a 19-18 postseason record. Maddon has won two World Series in his career, including the 2016 championship.