The Chicago Cubs' 2016 MLB season is off to a great start after their two-game sweep of the Los Angeles Angels. Jon Lester and Jake Arrieta combined for 14 innings pitched, one earned run, six hits, a walk and 11 strikeouts while first baseman Anthony Rizzo got them out to early leads in both games.
This team is ready to handle the 2016 hype, unlike Chip Hale and the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Arrieta followed up his masterful 2015 Cy Young season by shutting down Mike Trout and the Angels, and then Lester silenced everyone who was worried about his elbow with another dominant performance last night. The Angels stood no chance, even though they were playing at home with the American League rules.
And the offense? It's going to be too deep for most pitchers to handle. The Cubs have already scored 15 runs on 20 hits (four home runs) and seven walks. Kyle Schwarber and Miguel Montero didn't even play last night, and the team still scored six runs on nine hits. Oh yeah, and Kris Bryant has yet to register a hit while Jason Heyward has just one in his first nine at-bats with the team.
But don't worry...
Rizzo had the first RBI in Monday's game and then hit a two-run homer in the third inning yesterday to put the team up 4-0, which is a good sign for the Cubs. If he's stepping up and delivering during opportune moments this early in the season, the team will be in good shape as the year progresses.
What about Dexter Fowler? The man who was shunned for much of the offseason after a career year is showing why so many MLB clubs made a mistake by not signing him and instead holding onto their rather much less worthwhile first-round draft pick. The veteran is already 5-for-8 with four runs scored, a home run, two RBI and a walk.
And Matt Szczur?! The 26-year-old is already benefitting from the lineup around him. He's 3-for-5 with three runs scored, a home run and four RBI so far.
I was a bit skeptical of this team being the World Series favorite heading into the year considering the roster is very young and the pitching isn't very deep on paper, but Chicago shut me up with their first two wins to kick of the season.
Just imagine what might happen if John Lackey repeats his 2015 campaign, Jason Hammel returns to his 2014 form and Jorge Soler can develop into a consistent player.
Even if that doesn't happen, the Cubs have manager Joe Maddon in the dugout to work out any inconsistencies.
It's safe to say that his "try not to suck" motto is working already.
