TIM BROWN: The Chicago Cubs would

appear to be the best team in baseball.

They are favored to win the NL Central.

They're favored to win the World Series.

And if that weren't enough of a burden for young club

that's only just getting sturdy over its legs,

they're also number one in the first Yahoo Sports Power

Rankings of 2016.

What could possibly go wrong?

Yes, the Cubs aren't fighting only the Cardinals and Pirates

and Nationals and Giants, though those clubs and others

will be more than enough trouble in the coming months.

These Cubs, as you may know, are coming off a down century,

though the 108-year plan does appear to be working.

They're deep in a starting rotation

that opens with Jake Arrieta and Jon Lester.

They're deep in a lineup that hardly stops, even

with the early loss of Kyle Schwarber.

And they seem to like the idea that they,

the product of Theo Epstein's thorough strategy and Joe

Maddon's airy touch, will be the ones to bring joy

to Wrigleyville again.

It's a lot to ask, but it's what they're here for.

Already, they are scoring runs.

Dexter Fowler's come out hot and has hardly missed a fastball.

Anthony Rizzo is slugging 1,000 with runners

in scoring position.

And Chris Bryant has barely gotten started.

Already, the pitching staff, which added veteran John

Lackey, is delivering zeros, particularly out

of the bullpen, The Cubs are, so far, what

we thought they would be.

Only seven months to go.