Fansided

Grading every team’s World Series chances after the trade deadline

By Brad Weiss

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 24: Manny Machado #8 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on before the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday July 24, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Tringali/SportsChrome/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 24: Manny Machado #8 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on before the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday July 24, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Tringali/SportsChrome/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – MAY 02: Anthony Rizzo #44 of the Chicago Cubs bats against the Colorado Rockies at Wrigley Field on May 2, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. The Rockies defeated the Cubs 11-2. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – MAY 02: Anthony Rizzo #44 of the Chicago Cubs bats against the Colorado Rockies at Wrigley Field on May 2, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. The Rockies defeated the Cubs 11-2. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Chicago Cubs

Two years ago, the Chicago Cubs broke a 107-year World Series championship drought, as well as a 70-year drought of even making the Fall Classic. Last season, the Cubs did their best to repeat as the National League champions, but ended up losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship Series.

This season, the Cubs are once again in the driver’s seat in the NL Central, and have the talent up and down their roster to get to the big game in 2018. They have an elite manager in Joe Maddon, and while big free agent signing Yu Darvish has been a terrible addition, the rest of the team has really stepped up.

During the trade deadline, the Cubs did a nice job adding more talent to the roster, including three arms that are really going to help them down the stretch. The biggest name brought in is Cole Hamels, who won a World Series with the Philadelphia Phillies back in 2008, and will be looking to add his second ring as a member of the Cubbies.

Outside of Hamels, the Cubs added two arms to their bullpen in Brandon Kintzler from Washington, and Jesse Chavez from the Texas Rangers. The pitching staff has been led by Jon Lester this season, who continues to be the team’s Ace, and Hamels should serve as a good reinforcement in the middle of the rotation.

Guys like Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant really make this offense go, but they are currently nicked up and will have to get off he disabled list sooner than later. Still, despite the incredible moves made by the Milwaukee Brewers at the deadline, it is still the Cubs division to lose.

Grade: A

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