CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JULY 25: Pete Crow-Armstrong #4 of the Chicago Cubs exits the field in a game against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field on July 25, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images)
The Chicago Cubs are in first place in the NL Central, are tied for the second-best record in the National League, and have the best run differential in baseball.
The Cubs finished the 2024 season with a record of 83-78 and missed out on the postseason. Chicago entered the offseason looking to upgrade its roster while also shedding money from the payroll.
In free agency, Chicago signed starting pitcher Matthew Boyd, catcher Carson Kelly, and longtime MLB veteran Justin Turner. The Cubs didn’t make any flashy signings in free agency, but it was active in the trade market.
Chicago made a big trade, acquiring three-time All-Star Kyle Tucker from the Houston Astros for Isaac Paredes, Hayden Weneski and Cam Smith. The Cubs also made trades for starting pitcher Colin Rea and relievers Ryan Pressly and Ryan Brasier to add to their pitching staff.
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The Cubs also traded former NL MVP Cody Bellinger to the New York Yankees in exchange for Cody Poteet and cash considerations. The Cubs made the trade to create salary relief on the payroll, but Chicago designated Poteet for assignment, so they essentially traded Bellinger for nothing.
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What initially appeared to be a head-scratching move has turned out to be an excellent one, as it allowed Pete Crow-Armstrong to become the everyday centerfielder. At 23 years old, Crow-Armstrong appears to be a superstar in the making and profiles as one of the best five-tool players in baseball.
Chicago’s offense is one of the best in baseball, led by Crow-Armstrong, Nico Hoerner, Seiya Suzuki and Dansby Swanson.
The Cubs have the second-most hits, RBIs, and runs scored, and they’re in the top three in slugging percentage. Chicago is also in the top five for batting average and home runs, and it’s in the top 10 for on-base percentage and avoiding striking out.
Despite how impressive Chicago’s offense has been, its pitching has not matched the same production.
Chicago is just outside the top 10 for walks and hits per inning pitched (WHIP), and is in the top half of the league for ERA. But the Cubs are in the bottom half of the league for batting average allowed, home runs allowed, and hits allowed.
The Cubs are also in the bottom five for strikeouts.
Injuries have plagued Chicago’s pitching this season. Starting pitcher Justin Steele will miss the remainder of the season, Javier Assad will be sidelined until August or September, and Shota Imanaga has missed time this season as well.
While the Cubs are destined to play baseball this October, if the team wants to make a run to the World Series, it will likely have to look to acquire starting pitching at this year’s trade deadline in hopes of getting more consistent arms.
The Cubs have fantastic odds to make the postseason at -900. Its odds of making the World Series are +650, and its odds of winning the World Series are +1300.
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