Every Chicago Cubs Preview begins with one lonely number. That number is 1908. That marks the year, now more than a century ago, that the Cubs last won a World Series. It is by far the longest drought between championships in the history of professional sports. Indeed, the NBA and NFL didn’t even exist in 1908, meaning the Cubs drought is older than most leagues in this country. For Cubs fans, the pain is only exacerbated by the fact that the Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox, each teams that had not won since 1918 and 1917, respectively, won the World Series in 2004 and 2005. With those two long droughts now banished to the annals of history, the Cubs soldier on alone.

The last two season have been especially difficult. The Cubs made the postseason in back-to-back years for the first time since that last World Series title, but once there they bothered to not even show up. The Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers swept them out of the playoffs in three games each in 2007 and 2008. The Cubs have now lost their last nine postseason games, and that has to weigh on them as they look to make the playoffs again this year.

One major surprise that could help in October is Randy Wells. The rookie starting pitcher has won eight straight games, making him one of the hottest pitchers in all over baseball since late June. Once Ryan Dempster and Ted Lilly return from the disabled list, the cubs should have one of the best starting rotations heading down the stretch. They will need it in the pennant race, as they are tied with the rival St. Louis Cardinals. The cubs have battled injuries this year, but if everyone can get healthy they should compete again. Carlos Zambrano is rounding into form as August heats up, giving the cubs a true number one starter to get an early advantage in any postseason series.

The return of Aramis Ramirez to the lineup after a longs tint on the disabled list has provided a much needed spark to a stagnant offense. Since the All-Star break, the cubs have been one of baseball’s hottest teams. First baseman Derek Lee has finally stated hitting the ball well. Even maligned left field Alfonso Soriano has started to come around. The Cubs will only get better when catcher Geovany Soto, last year’s National League Rookie of the Year, returns from the disabled list.

Just about the only questions facing the Cubs right now are their bullpen issues. New closer Kevin Gregg has struggled to close games of late, as has Carlos Marmol. Each has an ERA higher than 3.6, which is not something you want from guys that are tasked with finishing ball games. Both players will have to improve their play if the Cubs are finally going to go somewhere in the postseason. With the way the Cardinals are playing, there is no guarantee the Cubs will even get to the postseason, either.