Win or lose, entering this season I expected the Cubs to be playoff contenders, but maybe not World Series caliber. The fact that they have made it this far in the playoffs surpassed my expectations. I knew they would be good, but not THIS good. Next season, whether they go into it with or without a World Series championship to their credit, they will be an improved team. A team that will be better off to start the season than the 97 win team they were this year. That excites me, and it should terrify the rest of the league.