Keeping tradition: Why the Cubs need to fail

When recently asked if the Cubs could win the World Series, manager Joe Maddon said, “Of course.”

Is he right? I think so- they certainly could.

The Cubs are playing good baseball, and they’re in the playoffs for sure, with each game securing their lead against San Francisco for the second NL wild card spot.

They’ve proven before that they have what it takes to beat the Pirates and the Cardinals, and if the Cubs keep firing on all cylinders like they have, the NL playoffs won’t be as hard as people think.

It’ll definitely be easier, however, if they can inch past Pittsburgh into the first wild card spot, gaining home-field advantage at the best stadium in baseball.

This team has significant prospects playing the best of their careers so far, and it sure seems like everyone is a hot-hitter (besides Starlin Castro, who’s playing the worst baseball of his career).

The Cubs are a young team with the potential to do some damage, and with slugging rookies like Kris Bryant, they can become a dynasty.

Bryant is going to win NL Rookie of the Year, and it seems like he is living up to his hype. He’s starting his career in Chicago and if the Cubs are smart, he’ll become their franchise player.

They also have a solid pitching staff, with an experienced ace in Jon Lester, and the depth to strike out opponents in the postseason.

Jake Arrieta’s no-hitter against the Dodgers in Los Angeles also proved that Cubs opponents have more than Lester to worry about.

Also, the last time the Cubs played this well, more specifically winning 20 of their last 24 games and boasting four series sweeps, was in 1945: the year they lost the Commissioner’s Trophy to the Detroit Tigers.

So what does all of this mean?

It means the Cubs could break this 107 year losing streak either this year or in the next few years.

However if you’re a fan of this team, the best thing the Cubs can do is lose.

Before you round up the townspeople and get your torches and pitchforks, think about it.

The Cubs have a legacy of losing. They graciously accept defeat year after year, and for their fans, it’s a lifestyle.

If they won in the near future, their running streak is over and they’ll become a team that wins and loses like the rest of the MLB. Chicagoans will be ecstatic for a half-decade, but unless the Cubs become the Yankees, this happiness will vanish.

Then what will we have?

This is why the Cubs need to fail. Losing is their culture.