2019 MLB preview and predictions: How Cubs stack up against Marlins (hint: pretty darn well)

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The National League looks as strong as ever, with as many as 12 of the 15 teams planning to contend in 2019.

The Cubs had a quiet winter, transactionally speaking, but almost every other team in the NL bolster their roster this offseason. 

But expectations haven't changed at the corner of Clark and Addison. After a disappointing finish to 2018, Kris Bryant and Co. once again have their sights set on another World Series.

With that, let's take a look at all of the teams that could stand in the way of the Cubs getting back to the Fall Classic:

Miami Marlins

2018 record: 63-98, 5th in NL East

Offseason additions: Curtis Granderson, Neil Walker, Jorge Alfaro, Sergio Romo, Riley Ferrell, Austin Brice, Julian Fernandez, Pedro Alvarez, Hector Noesi

Offseason departures: J.T. Realmuto, Derek Dietrich, Kyle Barraclough

X-factor: Derek Jeter?

Does it matter anymore? Poor Starlin Castro and Curtis Granderson, having to hang out on this team all year (or until they're traded, too). 

With how good the rest of the NL East is, a realistic projection for the Marlins might actually be the 2018 Balitmore Orioles (115 losses). This roster is that bad and the rest of the division is much improved this winter.

So there's no X-factor with the 2019 Marlins, beyond their famous owner who is in the midst of a complete teardown, especially now that Realmuto is gone.

Projected lineup

1. Curtis Granderson - LF
2. Starlin Castro - 2B
3. Brian Anderson - 3B
4. Neil Walker - 1B
5. Peter O'Brien - RF
6. Jorge Alfaro - C
7. J.T. Riddle - SS
8. Lewis Brinson - CF

Projected rotation

1. Jose Urena
2. Wei-Yin Chen
3. Dan Straily
4. Trevor Richards
5. Pablo Lopez

Outlook

Let's put it this way: The "rebuild" (or whatever it is Jeter and Co. are doing) is not going well. 

How bad? Well their projected Opening Day starting lineup 1-through-8 has an average age of 29.1 years old. The Cubs' projected starting lineup 1-through-8 has an average age of 28.5 years...and that's including soon-to-be-38-year-old Ben Zobrist.

So the Marlins have a bad roster...AND an old roster. Yikes.

That's not to say Castro and Co. won't have a big impact on the NL playoff race, however. They're going to be so bad, they'll give every other team in the NL East a big bump up over a division like the NL Central, where all five teams figure to be competitive. 

So the Cubs will absolutely have to take advantage during the 7 games they play against the Marlins (in Miami April 15-17, and then at Wrigley May 6-9). The Cubs would be best served going at least 5-2 against the worst team in the NL if they're going to use the schedule to their advantage.

Prediction: 5th in NL East

All 2019 previews & predictions

San Francisco Giants
Arizona Diamondbacks
San Diego Padres
Colorado Rockies
Los Angeles Dodgers
Miami Marlins
New York Mets
Atlanta Braves
Philadelphia Phillies
Washington Nationals
Cincinnati Reds
Pittsburgh Pirates
Milwaukee Brewers
St. Louis Cardinals

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