Preview/Prediction

The Chicago Cubs don't have a ton of position competitions during this year's spring training, but a few key battles are currently going on.

Most aren't at key spots, but the outcomes of the battles could end up being very important nonetheless.

At these four spots, the competition is starting to heat up. Here's a look at which players have the upper hands in those battles based on their overall skill sets and what they've shown so far this spring.

There's nothing wrong with looking forward to watching the usual suspects in an upcoming baseball season. Indeed, why would there be anything wrong with champing at the bit for some Mike Trout, Clayton Kershaw or Andrew McCutchen?

Perhaps the most difficult struggle throughout winter 2015 in Chicago is not the frigid cold, but instead the anxious await of the return of baseball to Wrigley Field. As the Cubs get into the full swing of spring training, fans of the Lovable Losers can't help but become even more excited about the upcoming season.

Well, that escalated quickly.

Only a few weeks into spring training (and a week into the exhibition season), we've already seen a handful of the biggest storylines in baseball begin to change.

Sure, we still have more questions than answers. We don't know who Arizona's starting catcher will be, whether or not Kris Bryant will do enough this spring to force the Chicago Cubs' hand or if a clean Alex Rodriguez can be a productive player. 

Spring training is the best time of the year when it comes to baseball. All of the teams are an equal distance from getting to the promised land of a World Series—except the Philadelphia Phillies; they’re just terrible—and fans have a chance to watch their favorite teams play without the pressure of actual wins and losses.

The Arizona Diamondbacks began spring training games Wednesday, the first step toward getting ready for the 2015 campaign. 

Several players have opened eyes thus far in limited time such as Walter Ibarra, Peter O'Brien, Rubby De La Rosa and Archie Bradley to name a few. 

On the other hand, several big-name players who are supposed to contribute greatly during the upcoming season have not performed as predicted.

Despite the increasingly blustering conditions across the nation, MLB's spring training continues to roll along. Whether they're in Arizona or in Florida, the best players in the sport are gearing up for the long season ahead.

The Los Angeles Dodgers kicked off their first spring training games this week as it's become abundantly clear that baseball is officially back.

Over the next month, management will be closely evaluating the roster in order to determine which 25 players will make the cut for Opening Day on April 6 against the San Diego Padres.

We'll be able to get a glimpse of what the 2015 Atlanta Braves will look like when their spring training games begin on Wednesday. 

There are still lots of questions to be answered this spring training. Who wins the second base job? Who platoons with Jonny Gomes in left field? How does the bullpen shake out? Who is the fifth starter in the rotation?

About a week has gone by since spring training officially started for the Arizona Diamondbacks. A fresh start is exactly what's needed in the desert after producing the MLB's worst record in 2014.

Offseason acquisitions such as Yasmany Tomas and Jeremy Hellickson should have the fanbase confident that a turnaround isn't too far away.