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The Cubs Will Make The 2016 World Series, New York Times Predicts

By Mae Rice in Arts & Entertainment on Apr 4, 2016 6:09PM

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Cubs fans celebrate after the Cubs defeat the Pittsburgh Pirates to win the National League Wild Card game in 2015 (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

In late March, Mayor Rahm Emanuel predicted the Cubs would make the World Series this year. Now, with opening day at Wrigley Field still a week away, none other than the New York Times has seconded Rahm's prediction.

"These Cubs are strong enough to reach the World Series for the first time since 1945," Tyler Kepner writes in the Times. "Fate is rarely kind to the franchise, but no other force now stands in its way."

Kepner argues that the Cubs are "topping off a skyscraper" of talent with excellent new recruits—especially right-fielder Jason Heyward and pitcher John Lackey, two stars from Cubs rivals the St. Louis Cardinals. Kepner also cites the Cubs' 2015 success. Last year, as you may recall if you ever go outside, they were one series from a World Series berth—but then they lost to the Mets in four games.

Still, they finished third in the majors, and this year could be their year. Monday night, they play their first game of the season against the Los Angeles Angels in Angel Stadium.

And as Cubs manager Joe Maddon told the AP on Sunday, "Pressure is a wonderful word. And if you channel it properly, it's going to make you better."

Even the Empire State Building is excited about the Cubs (and all other pro baseball teams).