The Chicago Cubs and White Sox will both be kicking off their 2018 seasons on Thursday afternoon, and both teams have plenty of questions that will need to be answered as the campaign begins.
For the Cubs, they will be trying to reach the playoffs for the fourth straight season, a feat that the team has never accomplished. They will largely bring a similar roster, but changes to their starting rotation and coaching staff could give a different vibe to their season.
Meanwhile, the White Sox are a team that is still rebuilding, and injuries have already impacted their season before it even begins. Carlos Rodon still isn’t pitching for the team, and some of their top prospects have been dealing with bumps and bruises as well.
Even still, there are plenty of storylines to watch on both sides of town this season, and we’re highlighting some of the top narratives for fans to follow as the 162-game journey begins on Thursday.
Several Cubs Looking for Rebounds
The Cubs had some impressive performances out of guys like Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo last season, but they’ll hope that other players can step up their games as they try to put together a strong lineup.
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The biggest name on that list is Kyle Schwarber, who did club 30 home runs but only hit a paltry .211 and spent a brief amount of time in the minor leagues.
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Between Schwarber and Jason Heyward, who hit .259 with 11 home runs and 59 RBI, the team needs more production out of its lefty stars, and they’ll also be hoping for bounce-back seasons for players like Ben Zobrist (.232 average with 12 home runs) and Addison Russell, who hit .239 with 12 home runs.
White Sox Young Stars to Enter First Full MLB Season
The White Sox are building up their farm system, and some of those pieces that made their way to the big league level in 2017 will be entering their first full year this season.
The biggest names on that list are Yoan Moncada, who played in 54 games last season and posted a .338 on-base percentage and hit eight home runs, and Lucas Giolito, who pitched in seven games and posted a 2.38 ERA with 34 strikeouts.
Several other players will also be worth keeping an eye on in the early stages of the season, including Reynaldo Lopez and Nicky Delmonico, and these types of talented youngsters will be worth keeping an eye on as the future of the organization.
Cubs’ Bullpen Questions to be Answered
The Cubs went into the 2017 season with a rock-solid closer, and Wade Davis certainly delivered, but this year there are more questions than answers in that department.
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Sure, players like Pedro Strop and Carl Edwards Jr. will be solid at the back end, but can Brandon Morrow close out games? Can Justin Wilson regain his form as a strong lefty stopper at the back end of the bullpen? Can Steve Cishek’s past career success translate to the North Side?
Those questions will have to be answered for the Cubs to have success this season, and it all starts with their opening 10-game road trip.
Sox Prospect Watch Takes on New Look This Season
With players like Giolito, Moncada, and Lopez all ascending to the big leagues, there are still plenty of players to watch as they make their way through the team’s minor league system.
The big fish on the list is outfielder Eloy Jimenez, who has impressed scouts with his massive power, and his good eye at the plate. He should make the team’s roster at some point this season, and he is one of the top-ranked prospects in all of baseball.
Another player worth keeping an eye on at the minor league level is hurler Michael Kopech, whom the White Sox acquired in the Chris Sale trade. He posted a 2.88 ERA and struck out 172 batters last season, and he could provide a great boost to a Sox rotation that is starting to look a lot younger as the rebuild gains momentum.
Other players, like Dylan Cease and Luis Robert, are likely still a year or two away from making the big leagues.
Cubs’ Coaching Staff Provides a New Voice
Even though the Cubs have reached the NLCS three straight times, the team has a coaching staff that is almost completely different. Jim Hickey and Chili Davis will be responsible for the team’s pitchers and hitters respectively, and Brandon Hyde will take over for Dave Martinez as the team’s bench coach.
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The results of those changes will be slow developing, but based on the vibe the team has had early this spring, things will run a bit differently on the North Side in 2018.
Which Sox Players Will Be Left Standing?
The White Sox have already said goodbye to a slew of veteran players, but more could be sent out of town as part of the team’s push to acquire young talent.
The big names on the list are outfielder Avisail Garcia and first baseman Jose Abreu, and although it seems unlikely that the Cuban slugger will be dealt, the Sox will almost certainly still listen to offers on him as the season wears on.
Other bullpen arms could generate some interest, including Nate Jones and Joakim Soria, and starter James Shields could also be moved if he can start pitching with more effectiveness this season.
Can Cubs Put 2017’s Sluggish Start Behind Them?
During the Cubs’ run to the 2016 World Series, they went 25-6 in their first 31 games and cruised for the most part to an incredible record and to a championship.
In 2017 however, the team got off to a much more sluggish start, sitting below the .500 mark at the All-Star break and only winning the division after a furious run to the finish line.
The team will be looking for a much better start to this season, as teams like the St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers are sure to provide some stiff opposition as the team goes for a third straight division title.
