MLB Analyst Taylor McGregor optimistic about a successful upcoming season for the Chicago Cubs: "I'm expecting meaningful games in September"

The Chicago Cubs are traditionally the "lovable losers" of Major League Baseball. After all, the team went 108 years between World Series championships. They finally won it all for the third time in their 147-year history in 2016.

The Chicago Cubs celebrate defeating the Cleveland Indians 8-7 in Game Seven of the 2016 World Series

Chicago slipped steadily from the highs of that MLB championship season in which the Cubs also topped the 100-win mark for the first time since 1935. Still, the "Northsiders" managed to stay above the .500 mark until dropping to a woeful 71-91 record in 2021, trading many of their star players in the process.

While the team mustered a 74-88 mark in 2022, there was a renewed birth of optimism as several younger players began to make their mark at Wrigley Field.

Now, after a busy offseason that saw the Chicago Cubs bring in star shortstop Dansby Swanson, former National League Most Valuable Player Cody Bellinger, starting pitcher Jameson Taillon, catcher Tucker Barnhart, first baseman Eric Hosmer, and versatile slugger Trey Mancini, there is once again hope that the team may be in a position to contend for a posteason berth.

"I'm expecting meaningful games in September," MLB Analyst Taylor McGregor said on MLB Network's "MLB Tonight" show.

McGregor, who is a field reporter and host for Cubs games on the team's Marquee Network, said the defensive upgrades Chicago has made should help the team succeed.

"I'm expecting in the NL Central, a division that is relatively winnable, for the Cubs to play competitive baseball," she said. "Potentially, if everything goes right, win the Central."

A lot of changes for the Chicago Cubs

President Jed Hoyer of the Chicago Cubs presents a jersey to Dansby Swanson #7 during his introductory press conference at Wrigley Field

It's been an offseason of change for the Chicago Cubs. With Hosmer taking over at first base, Swanson at shortstop, and with homegrown talents Nico Hoerner and Christopher Morel at second and third base, respectively, the Cubs feature the team's best infield since the World Series-winning squad.

Bellinger will take over in center field, sandwiched by Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki in left and right field, respectively.

One major loss of note is the free agency departure of catcher Willson Contreras, who played his entire major-league career with the Cubs before joining the rival St. Louis Cardinals this past winter.