Fansided

Five reasons why the Chicago Cubs will win the World Series (finally)

By Matt Whitener

Jul 8, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant against the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 8, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant against the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 27, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jake Arrieta (49) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 27, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jake Arrieta (49) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Jake Arrieta and Jon Lester are the best 1-2 punch in the National League

With the days of the double-headed Dodger monster of Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke over with, it clears the path for the reign of Jake Arrieta and Jon Lester atop the mountain of best pitching tandems in the game.

Lester was the first signpost Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer’s intention to get serious about pulling the Cubs into the big time, when they convinced the lefty to sign a six-year, $155 million deal prior to last season. Lester quickly became the face of changing times in Chicago, giving the team a bonafide ace to lead their staff, as well as an indication that the organization was ready to compete with the big dogs for marquee free agents.

Yet, while Lester’s signing got the headlines, it was Arrieta that ended up snatching the spotlight. The second half the season belonged to Arrieta, as he took home the National League Cy Young Award after allowing a nine earned runs over 107.1 post All-Star Game innings.

Arrieta’s arrival coupled with a potential resurgence from Lester in his second time around the National League horn puts them in position to be an unparalleled matchup problem on consecutive nights.

Next: Best management in the biz

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