Look Ahead to 2021 Season: Cubs

For now, the longstanding core is still together in Baez, Rizzo, and Bryant. The Cubs are looking to win the NL Central.

2020 Record: 34-26

The Cubs have been disappointing every season since their 2016 championship. They lost Yu Darvish to San Diego, but did some shopping in free agency that makes them what they have been: playoff contenders, but just a step below World Series contenders. It would be fun to see the Cubs back in the WS, but standing in their way are the Dodgers and Padres, who wouldn't go down so easily.

Tier: 3 (Playoff Contender)

Their division won't be the problem, and even if they get beaten out for the title by St. Louis, they'd still be in the postseason with an expanded landscape. They aren't threatened by Milwaukee or Cincy, but they would love to win a playoff series, and that hasn't happened since 2017. That seems crazy, but they lost the NLCS to the Dodgers in 2017, lost in the Wild Card in 2018, missed out entirely in 2019, and lost to the Marlins (what?) in 2020. They need a resurgence or they will forever be a one-hit wonder. Their window is closing rapidly with their stars entering free agency soon.