Cubs are eager to change that. And in an NL Central division that appears up for grabs, it’s about time that Chicago steps forward as a clear-cut contender, rather than merely a wait-and-see team.

The Houston Astros have had a tumultuous offseason, headlined by the departures of key players such as Alex Bregman and Kyle Tucker. While they remain competitive with stars like Jose Altuve, Yordan ...