Differences between 2016 Cubs and 2017 Cubs

With the season 2017, its halfway is noticeable a huge difference both in the quality of the game and in the Cubs record because at this point in the 2016 season they had 50 wins as opposed to 39 this season and were in full control of NL Central . Although the team has not changed much since last year, the motivation should be sought in the difference between the performance of individual players. A difference that should not be considered as negative but understandable as last year's Cubs held a very high rhythm and level of play from the first to the last game of the season by winning the World Series after 108 years since the last time. The rotation of starting pitchers is surely worse than this year, since last year it had an average of 3.00 ERA and this year it is above 4.00, the only change in rotation was Montgomery in place Of Hammel and is just the ex long reliever that although with less innings than the other parties has the lowest ERA (2.03). The veterans Arrieta, Lester and Lackey have been much worse with their ERA and the only one of them, although with just under 4.00 is Jon Lester, also promising Kyle Hendricks who thanks to a sensational season the year Last time he saw him arrive third in the votes of the Cy Young award had a sharp deterioration of almost 2 points in the ERA, which has put serious difficulties Joe Maddon who suddenly saw this situation also reflected on the attack that Winning matches was forced to score almost twice last year. Even the bullpen did not shine and Aroldis Chapman's departure was the last of the problems since he was replaced by the excellent Wade Davis (one of the few hints of Cubs bullpen this season). Chicago's bellpen's other hottest moments are Koji Uehara and the young Carl Edwards Jr. the only ones able with Davis to give security in the last 3 innings, which Pedro Strop, Hector Rondon, Justin Grimm and Anderson are not yet Managed to give.
As for the Bryant and Rizzo lineup discreet in the power numbers but very subdued in the average. Last year they both ended at .292 and are now at .259 and .261, another batter who is experiencing an even worse slump is Kyle Schwarber who has even been relegated to minorities after his non-exhilarating .171 These three beaters were and still are the heart of the world's top-ranked world champion and if they do not make them accustomed to doing more, they add heavy accidents like those of Zobrist and Heyward. The situation is not the simplest Despite the good performances of Jon Jay, Albert Almora Jr. and Ian Happ.
The Cubs can easily access the playoffs as they are late in a race just by the Milwaukee Brewers driving the NL Central, however remains the fact that Chicago's key players either return to their levels or there will be no chance to repeat this year for them.