The Chicago Cubs have been potential World Series contenders, even favorites, for much of their 2016 season, but as the postseason nears and predictions grow clearer, it appears two major entities are at odds.
Sports Illustrated on Tuesday revealed that this week’s national cover will draw inspiration from the 1908 Cubs, except this time, the year 1908 has been changed to 2016.
As many fans know, the year is significant since 1908 was the last time the Cubs won a World Series.
It’s not the first time the Cubs have been featured on the cover of the magazine this season, an honor some fans believe to be a “jinx.”
In March, the magazine featured the Cubs on the cover, but instead picked the Houston Astros to win their first-ever Fall Classic. The team was also featured on the regional cover of the magazine in May.
For fans unfamiliar with the "jinx," Kerry Wood appeared on the cover of the 2004 MLB preview issue for the periodical, with the headline “Hell Freezes Over” touting the fact that the issue picked the Cubs to win the title that season, but they didn't go on to do so.
Chicago Baseball
While fans are certainly hyped for the upcoming postseason, which begins Friday, ESPN’s Jayson Stark has a not-so-exciting prediction for Chicago.
Writing in his prediction for the World Series champions, Stark named the Boston Red Sox, though he guarantees it will “be inaccurate” come the end of the postseason.
For the record, NBC Chicago's James Neveau predicted earlier this season that the Cubs would win.
Who do you pick Cubs fans?
