The Chicago Cubs’ 2024 season was a roller coaster that ultimately left fans wanting more. After posting an 83-79 record in 2023, the Cubs reached another 83-79 finish in 2024. They fell short of the postseason yet again. Expectations were high for a playoff berth after a busy off season before 2024. However, the team couldn’t climb out of the National League Central’s middle tier. They finished nine games behind the division-winning Milwaukee Brewers and missed a wild card spot. It was a disappointment for a franchise eager to return to October baseball, last seen in 2020. Stay tuned for the 2025 Chicago Cubs season preview. Hope is blooming anew at Wrigley Field. We’ll explore what’s next for this storied club.
Key to the Cubs’ 2024 effort was a pitching staff that kept them in games. Rookie sensation Shota Imanaga dazzled with a 15-3 record and a 2.91 ERA over 29 starts, proving a revelation from Japan. Left-hander Justin Steele solidified his role in the rotation with grit and precision after missing time early last year. Left fielder Ian Happ delivered consistency at the plate. He provided Gold Glove defense and anchored the outfield with his steady presence. These standouts gave Cubs fans something to cheer about, even if the postseason remained elusive.
2025 Season Preview:
Schedule
The Cubs kick off 2025 with a splash. They will travel to Tokyo for a two-game series against the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers. The games are scheduled for March 18th &19th. It’s a marquee matchup to start the year, pitting Chicago’s revamped squad against the National League’s juggernaut.
Back stateside, they will continue their regular season against the Athletics for three games. They’ll face a slate of inter-league foes. They will host the AL East’s Boston Red Sox, Baltimore Orioles, and Tampa Bay Rays at Wrigley Field. They will travel to take on the AL Central’s Cleveland Guardians. Meanwhile, the Kansas City Royals and Chicago White Sox will travel to Wrigley.
From the American League West, they will host the Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers. Within the NL Central, the Cubs will battle the Brewers, Cardinals, Pirates, and Reds. This is part of their usual 13-game divisional grind.
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Additions
- SP – Matthew Boyd – two-year deal
- OF – Kyle Tucker – Trade (HOU)
- DH/1B – Justin Turner – One-year deal
- RP – Ryan Pressly – Trade (HOU)
- RP – Ryan Brasier – minor league deal with a spring training invite
- RP Eli Morgan -One-year deal
- INF Jon Berti -One-Year deal
- INF/OF Vidal Brujan – Trade (MIA)
- RP Cody Poteet – trade (NYY) (Bellinger)
- RHP – Brad Keller – Minor League deal with an invite to spring training
- C – Carson Kelly – Signed a two-year deal
Subtractions
- OF – Cody Bellinger – Trade (NYY)
- 3B – Isaac Paredes – Trade (HOU)
- RP – Hayden Wesneski – Trade (HOU)
- OF – Mike Tauchman – Free Agent
- 3B – Cam Smith -Trade(HOU)
- RHP – Jorge Lopez – Free Agent(Wash)
- OF Alex Canario – Traded (NYM)
- RHP – Kyle Hendricks – Free Agent(LAA)
- 3B – Patrick Wisdom – Free Agent
- RHP – Adbert Alzolay – Free Agent(NYM)
- 1B – Matt Mervis – Traded(MIA)
2025 Roster
Projected Lineup
- LF – Ian Happ
- DH – Seiya Suzuki
- RF – Kyle Tucker
- 1B – Michael Busch
- SS – Dansby Swanson
- CF – Pete Crow-Armstrong
- 3B – Matt Shaw
- C – Miguel Amaya
- 2B – Jon Berti
The Cubs’ offense in 2024 was middling, finishing 17th in MLB with a .242 batting average and 18th with 170 home runs. Ian Happ led the way with a .243 average, 25 homers, and 86 RBIs, earning his third straight Gold Glove while showcasing his reliability. Seiya Suzuki chipped in with a .283 average and 21 homers, proving his bat’s potency when healthy.
Newcomer Kyle Tucker, acquired from Houston, brings a power threat after belting 23 homers in 2024 despite injury setbacks. The team hopes that young players like Michael Busch and Pete Crow-Armstrong can elevate their games to new levels. Busch’s 21 homers last year are a promising sign. While Pete Crow Armstrong has been creating pure chaos on the base paths all spring long. In the second half of last season, PCA had nine home runs. He also recorded 38 runs and 34 RBIs. Additionally, he made 12 steals and had an average of .260. If he can continue to progress from last season like he has been this spring. The Cubs have an absolute stud roaming Center this season.
Top Prospect Matt Shaw looks to join the fun while being the everyday third baseman this year. This Lineup is going to be a lot of fun to watch from top to bottom. Once Nico Hoerner returns, hopefully after the two-game series with the Los Angeles Dodgers in Tokyo. The lineup could look a bit different. It would not change much. Only the bottom 3rd of the lineup could see a shake-up.
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Starting Rotation
- LHP – Shota Imanaga
- LHP – Justin Steele
- RHP – Jameson Taillon
- LHP – Matthew Boyd
- RHP – Colin Rea
The Cubs’ rotation was a strength in 2024, and it’s poised to shine again. Imanaga’s rookie brilliance (15-3, 2.91 ERA, 174 strikeouts in 173 innings) sets the tone, while Steele’s tenacity anchors the staff. Jameson Taillon provides veteran stability, and Matthew Boyd’s signing adds depth after a solid stint with Cleveland. Colin Rea rounds out the group, bringing versatility after 27 starts for the Milwaukee Brewers last year. This unit’s health and consistency will be critical. They already start the year without the option of Javier Assad who is working his way back from injury. Ben Brown might be the one finishing the year in the rotation. He could end up in the fifth spot. Right now, it seems Rea is the best option.
Projected Bullpen
- RHP – Ryan Pressly
- RHP – Porter Hodge
- RHP – Ryan Brasier
- LHP – Caleb Thielbar
- RHP – Nate Pearson
- RHP – Julian Merryweather
- RHP – Tyson Miller
- RHP – Brad Keller
The bullpen was a mixed bag in 2024, ranking 11th in MLB with a 3.81 ERA but struggling late in games. Ryan Pressly’s arrival from Houston offers a proven closer with 112 career saves, though his recent regression (3.49 ERA in 2024) raises questions. Pressly last season only had four saves as Josh Hader was handed the role in Houston. Porter Hodge emerged as a rookie standout with a 2.87 ERA over 63 innings, and Caleb Thielbar will be the lefty in the pen. This group needs to gel. They must protect leads for the Cubs to make any kind of a run this year.
2025 Expectations
The National League Central is ripe for the taking, and the Cubs are primed to seize it. The Milwaukee Brewers have lost some talent. They should take a step back this year. This opens the door for the Cubs to take control of the Central. While the St. Louis Cardinal continue their mini rebuild, the Pittsburgh Pirates roster is maturing. Their starting rotation seems to be becoming one to watch for years to come. The one division foe that concerns me this coming season especially is the Cincinnati Reds. They have a young core and talented rotation paired with the new Manager Terry Francona. The Reds could be the ones pushing the Cubs to the end for the division title.
I’m bullish on the Cubs in 2025—they’ve got the pieces to win the division. The Tokyo opener against the Dodgers is a fun, but tough way to start the season. A strong start could propel them to 90-plus wins. They are aiming for their first NL Central crown since 2020. I think we may see multiple gold gloves coming out of Wrigley this year. Ian Happ is going for his fourth straight gold glove. Swanson’s defensive skills are top-notch. Nico Hoerner is also a strong contender for honors this year. Pete Crow Armstong and Kyle Tucker are both great outfields as well. If the rebuilt bullpen can maintain leads late in games this team could make a run in October. Watch out, Wrigley faithful: this team feels like the real deal.
