After Hot Start to Second Half, Chicago Cubs’ 2019 World Series Odds Improving Quickly

• The Chicago Cubs currently have the third-best World Series Odds in the NL
• After sitting at +2325 on July 5th, they’ve risen all the way to +1450
• With the Dodgers at +255, are the Cubs worth a long-shot bet?

In 2016, the Chicago Cubs broke their World Series drought. Many thought it would kick off a run of dominance, spurred on by a young, dynamic core.

While the hitters are delivering as promised, the dynastic run hasn’t been there. Chicago was bounced by the Dodgers in the NLCS in 2017, and fell in the Wild Card game last year.

Now, they’re World Series long shots in the NL. But that’s only because the Dodgers are getting all of the attention.

2019 World Series Odds

*Odds and records as of 07/25/2019

Our 2019 World Series odds tracker is the perfect snapshot of what an uphill climb it’s been in the NL.

The Dodgers have been favorites all season long as they eye a third-straight trip to the Fall Classic. Other than the Phillies (briefly), no one has really touched them.

Chicago has been all over the map, slotting in as high as second, while their +2325 average odds at the beginning of July was their worst standing since May. Their course has corrected however, and now they sit at +1450.

Craig Kimbrel Has Saved Cubs’ Bullpen

The Cubs/Craig Kimbrel union has been beneficial for both parties.

Craig Kimbrel fastballs today (entered avg 96.1)… I rounded up .5's:

94, 96, 95, 95, 96

96, 96

95, 96

96, 95, 96

97, 96

He's still filthy, but hopefully has another level with the velo. Like, averaged 97.1 last year & 98.3 the year before (& 97.3 the 2 years before that).

— Matt Clapp (@TheBlogfines) July 24, 2019

Kimbrel got the financial security he was looking for on the open market, while the Cubs cleaned up the back end of their bullpen.

Craig Kimbrel’s 2019 Stats vs Chicago Cubs Bullpen

While the ERA is a little unsightly, that’s because of a combined five runs given up to the Pirates in two outings.

Since then, Kimbrel hasn’t given up a run in eight-straight appearances. In fact, he’s given up just three hits in that span.

Craig Kimbrel's last six appearances for the Cubs: six innings pitched, one hit, zero runs, five walks, nine strikeouts, 0.00 ERA, .056 batting average against, and five-for-five in save opportunities. Red Sox definitely didn't need to bring him back, though.

— Brendan (@brendan_camp) July 20, 2019

He’s converted seven of his eight save opportunities, while the Cubs’ bullpen has combined for their 16 other blown saves.

Cubs Triplets: Bryant, Rizzo & Baez

While Baez, Bryant and Rizzo are the biggest names the Cubs can trot out offensively, they’ve got plenty of help.

Wilson Contreras is hitting .286 with 19 home runs. Kyle Schwarber has already joined the 20 homer club too.

Why is Anthony Rizzo so confident the Cubs have their best baseball ahead of them this season?

"Jason Heyward. Kris Bryant. Addison Russell. Jon Lester. Cole Hamels. Craig Kimbrel. Kyle Schwarber. Javy Baez."

— Tony Andracki (@TonyAndracki23) July 7, 2019

When you look at the rest of the NL, the Cubs are one of just two teams with three players hitting over .285 with 20 homers.

Making the Cubs World Series Case

To go along with everything mentioned above, the Cubs have the starting staff to get it done too. They have the fourth-lowest starting ERA in the NL at 3.99. Their team WHIP is seventh in the Senior Circuit, and their Opponent’s Batting Average is eighth.

They are better than the Braves in all three categories, and behind the Dodgers in all three. If they can get through the Dodgers? Then it just comes down to a best-of-seven against whoever is representing the AL.

It’s a tough road, no doubt, but there’s no reason to think their post-All Star play tails off. And that means this might be the best value you see the Cubs at for the rest of the year.