Will the Cubs get to 90 wins in 2016?

Following a playoff appearance in 2015, are the Chicago Cubs lining up to make a return to the postseason in 2016?

The opening list of wins for the MLB teams came out recently and the Cubs were listed at 89, which is the second-most of any team in baseball outside of the San Francisco Giants, who were listed with 90.

The Cubs were a Wild Card team last season, racking up a 97-65 record. That put them three games behind the St. Louis Cardinals for the NL Central title. Chicago then went on to reach the NLCS before being swept out by the New York Mets.

Chicago was pretty active in the offseason, signing pitcher John Lackey, second baseman Ben Zobrist and outfielder Jason Heyward. Zobrist and Heyward will help add to a lineup led by Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant, who combined for 200 RBI in 2015. Lackey joins an already solid pitching rotation that is led by Jake Arrieta and Jon Lester.

On paper, the Cubs certainly seem to be a better team than they were last season and could contend for 100 wins. They are one of the favorites to win the World Series right now at 9/2. The Cubs handled their business in the division for the most part, only having a losing record against the Cardinals (8-11). However, they were able to put impressive win totals up against the Mets (7-0), Giants (5-2) and Pirates (11-8). You can never forecast injuries, which can have a major impact on a season, but the Cubs don’t seem to be a team that should be derailed by losing a single player. The additions of Heyward and Zobrist should help the lineup have more balance and Lester provides more depth to the rotation. The team already has one of the top managers, so there is no questions they will be prepared on the field. Anything less than 89 wins this season should be considered a disappointment.

2016 MLB WIN TOTALS PREDICTION: CHICAGO CUBS OVER 89 WINS

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