That's a simple question. The "Deadbirds" (as you put it, haha) suck. They won't challenge for anything. The most annoying thing about the Brewers is that they beat us in extra innings last year in that one game Billy came in and blew the save. Asslanta isn't in our division and they won't even be going to the playoffs this year. Obviously the Cubs are the only viable opponent and we'll have some good games with them this year.
I'll make a bold prediction and say that the Cardinals will fare better than the Cubs this year. Hell... if it wasn't for their absolute choke-job in a 4 game series in Wrigley last year, the Cardinals would have finished ahead of the Cubs (but not the Astros... because we killed STL later). Plus, I just don't see the Cubs as a team that can thrive as the "favorites." It almost takes away a certain aura from them... because there's no way I can associate that cute blue/white/red uniform, that cute ballpark that always has nice day games for the kids, that cute logo... I can't associate any of those with "powerhouse."
