To the eternal gratitude of Chicago Cubs fans everywhere Joe Maddon broke the 108-year jinx when he led them to the 2016 World Series championship. In fact, Maddon led the North-Siders to the greatest era in franchise history. However, there was also a sense that he had run out of gas as the 2019 campaign was winding down. Maddon and the Cubs agreed to part ways and he has since taken his talents to Los Angeles as manager of the Angels. Filling the massive shoes of Maddon will be David Ross, who has no managerial experience in the Major Leagues.
We’ll have MLB Odds at Bookmaker.eu available for every game of the 2020 MLB season.
2020 Chicago Cubs Win Total Odds at Bookmaker.eu: 85.5, over -120, under -110
For the first time since 2014 the Cubs failed to win at least 92 games last year. The Cubs finished 84-78. What is most interesting about Chicago is that they have not turned a significant profit since all the way back in the 2015 season. However, they stand a reasonable chance to clear the win total of 85.5 for 2020. The reason is that they still have a representative franchise playing in a National League Central which lacks dominant teams.
Manager David Ross
David Ross was a Major League Player from 2002 through 2016 as a catcher. He was previously a special assistant to the Cubs before taking over as manager. With the oversight of general manager Jed Hoyer and president of baseball operations Theo Epstein the Cubs believe the transition will be smooth. Ross does have the advantage of knowing the Cubs organization with a considerable amount of depth.
On the Hill
Last year the Cubs had above average pitching with mark of seventh for earned run average, ninth for quality starts, and seventh for bullpen.
Projected number one starter Jon Lester was 13-10 with a 4.46 earned run average and 1.50 WHIP in 2019. Lester is a five-time All-Star. Although he has had a strong Cubs career, last year was quite a drop from the 3.32 ERA of 2018.
Yu Darvish is the projected number two starter for the Cubs and was 6-8 in 2019 but with a respectable 3.98 earned run average. Darvish is a four-time All-Star and has had mixed results with the Cubs after making his name with the Texas Rangers.
Kyle Hendricks posted a solid 2019 with an 11-10 record and 3.46 earned run average with a 1.13 WHIP. Hendricks has been one of the steadier performers on the Cubs since his rookie season of 2014.
Normally reliable closer Craig Kimbrell was a disaster last year going 0-4 with a 6.53 earned run average with only 13 saves and a 1.60 WHIP. In his defense he pitched only 20 innings but a return to seven-time All-Star form is mandatory if the Cubs are to improve.
At the Plate
Chicago ranked 10th for runs scored, eighth for OPS and sixth for home runs in 2019.
Third baseman Kris Bryant leads the productive lineup and is coming off a 2019 season of 108 runs, 35 doubles, 31 home runs and being named an NL All-Star.
Shortstop Javier Baez was an All-Star for the second straight year as he posted 38 doubles with 29 home suns.
Left fielder Kyle Schwarber hit a career high 38 home runs with 29 doubles.
2020 Chicago Cubs Win Total MLB Betting Odds Pick
Timing is everything. Maddon was the right man at the right time but it was time for him to go. With a fresh voice and approach, there is still plenty of talent here to take full advantage of a decent but hardly dominant National League Central.
MLB Betting Odds Prediction: Chicago Cubs over 85.5 wins
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook!
