A look at how the National League Central is likely to play out during the 2017 season. (Listed in order of predicted finish.)
1. CHICAGO CUBS
2016 | 103-58, 1st in Central
Last year in playoffs | 2016
Javier Baez, breakout star in the World Baseball Classic, can't crack the starting lineup. Kyle Hendricks, who started Game 7 of the World Series and finished third in NL Cy Young Award voting, is the fifth starter. There is a potential weak spot _ limited depth beyond those atop the rotation _ but so much is so good here that Fortune ranked Theo Epstein the world's greatest leader, two spots ahead of Pope Francis. Ending curses from 1918 (Boston Red Sox) and 1908 (Cubs) is apparently beyond divine.
Starting lineup:
LF
Kyle Schwarber
3B
Kris Bryant
1B
Anthony Rizzo
2B
Ben Zobrist
SS
Addison Russell
RF
Jason Heyward
C
Willson Contreras
CF
Albert Almora/Jon Jay
Pitching rotation:
LH
Jon Lester
RH
Jake Arrieta
RH
John Lackey
LH
Brett Anderson
RH
Kyle Hendricks
Closer:
RH
Wade Davis
