Fans will be welcomed back into Wrigley Field for the first time since 2019 on Thursday. Even with different health and safety protocols and limited capacity crowds, this Opening Day has many feeling normal for the first time in a while.
Normal is exactly what the Cubs are hoping for from their superstars as they begin their 162-game journey against the Pirates on Thursday. The team’s offensive core is coming off woeful 2020 seasons and with the group looking for more collective offensive success, the organization believes they’re due from a major bounce back.
All eyes will be on the likes of Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Javy Baez and Willson Contreras, not only for the fact that three of them are impending free agents at season’s end, but because all of them represent the key to the Cubs’ success this season.
“We feel like our superstars are going to be the ones that carry us,” manager David Ross said. “The everyday players are the guys we’re gonna rely on to do what they know how to do. To continue to win and these guys have been winners for a long time, so we’re going to ride those guys and we’ve got great complimentary pieces to that group.”
When the Cubs’ offensive core is right, they rival any lineup in the game and with the addition of left fielder Joc Pederson, who had a monster spring, the lineup’s depth has a chance to be even greater in 2021.
But there will be no second chances or do-overs for the Cubs this season and getting off to a fast start is a must. Competition in the NL Central will be tighter in 2021 with the Brewers and Cardinals both making additions and with a team with so much of their future riding on one year, having a clear-cut direction going into June and July will be imperative.
“I think it kind of gives our guys a little bit of a chip on their shoulder,” president Jed Hoyer said. “I think it’s been at least five years in a row we’ve been picked to win the division and kind of the clear favorite. In 2015, we weren’t picked to win and we had a great season. That was a lot of fun. It certainly would be a lot of fun to prove people wrong.
“But ultimately, listen, I think we have an exceptionally talented group, and I know these guys are excited to get going. So, whether we’re the underdog or not, I think guys are excited and kind of finally ready to be at the starting line.”
There was a level of excitement and even quiet confidence that was palpable at camp this spring as the Cubs understand they have something to prove. But all the confidence and experience in the world doesn’t mean anything without results. For a team with so much on the line collectively and individually, the results will matter.
“I don’t think there’s going to be any pressure on them to do anything different than the years before, because you still want success. Even if it’s not your contract year,” hitting coach Anthony Iapoce said. “Those guys are still trying to win games, while also being individuals and putting up numbers. At times, they’ll take away from the numbers to help the team win. You saw that last year with guys doing things.”
It’s no doubt that the Cubs are hoping for several things to go right to get back to their winning ways after a disappointing finish in 2019 and first-round exit in ‘20. Unlike past teams, even after winning the division last season, the Cubs don’t have the national allure from several years ago. But they aren’t letting any projections or predictions be the reason they don’t succeed.
“We don’t care about that, honestly,” starter Jake Arrieta said. “That’s it, really. I haven’t heard of any of it. I haven’t seen it. It’s irrelevant.”
