Not especially. The Dodgers and Nationals are better. The Cubs are still a good team, but not as good as last year, by quite some. World Series hangover, most likely.
2nd half, they are in the same class as those others. I’d still give the Dodgers the edge in a 7 game series. The Cubs post-season experience might give them a bump in either the series against the Nats or Dodgers. Assuming Lester and Arrieta are on their game, they can beat anyone in a playoff series. They definitely are not having a season like 2016, but it’s pretty much the same team with the young guys having an extra year under their belt.
Regardless, the AL and NL and poised to have an incredible post-season this year. There are probably 7 or more teams that legitimately could win.