Assessing the Chicago Cubs’ 2025 World Series Prospects

Tony Crumpton - Senior Editor - 4 hours ago

As the 2025 Major League Baseball (MLB) season approaches, Chicago Cubs fans are tingling with anticipation. In a little over a month, on March 18, the Cubs’ 2025 season burst into action with a two-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Tokyo. The team's offseason moves and early projected performance have spiked discussions about a potential return to World Series glory, but how likely is that? The past few seasons have been spent rebuilding the roster, resulting in a potent mix of youthful talent and veteran leaders that has set tongues wagging. Do the 2025 Cubs have what it takes to go all the way?

The Chicago Cubs were one of the MLB’s elite teams between 2015 and 2018. They reached the playoffs during those four years, advanced to the NLCS in three, and defeated the Cleveland Indians in seven games to win a World Series. However, the Cubs' victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 4 of the 2017 postseason was the last time that Cubs fans saw their team win a playoff fixture. Despite recent failings, the Cubs are one of the favorites to win the National League Central title with American sports sites. Why is that?

Offseason Roster Overhaul

The Cubs enjoyed a productive offseason after making some aggressive moves that

addressed key weaknesses. The acquisition of outfielder Kyle Tucker from the Houston Astros could prove to be a masterstroke from the Cubs’ recruitment team. Tucker is an elite offensive player with Gold Glove-caliber defense in the right field, who will surely make a difference to the Cubs.

Tucker played 78 games during the 2024 regular season. He hit 23 home runs, had 49 RBI, scored 56 runs, and had a batting line of .289/.408/.585. His power, speed, and defensive reliability make Tucker a potential game-changer.

The Cubs also signed left-handed pitcher Matthew Boyd to bolster their pitching rotation. Boyds has long since proven he can be a reliable starter with a knack for eating up innings. Boyd should provide some stability to the Cubs' pitching rotation.

The Cubs parted ways with several established players to make room for the roster’s new additions. Third baseman Isaac Parades and right-handed pitcher Hayden Wesneski were traded to the Houston Astros as part of the deal that brought Tucker to Wrigley Field.

Cody Bellinger joined the New York Yankees, which lessens the Cubs’ offensive capabilities, but the front office believes the new Cubs lineup can more than makeup for his absence.

Projected Lineup

Although the Cubs management team and coaching staff are still finalizing the roster and the starting lineup, it is safe to make a few assumptions. One would expect the nine starters to look something like Nico Hoerner (2B), Ian Happ (LF), Kyle Tucker (RF), Seiya Suzuki (DH), Michael Busch (1B), Dansby Swanson (SS), Pete Crow-Armstrong (CF), Matt

Shaw (3B), and Miguel Amaya.

As you can see, this lineup boasts a mixture of speed, power, and defensive prowess, with

Tucker in the heart of the order giving it more strength.

Pitching Staff Outlook

It was no secret that the bullpen had its shortcomings last season, but the front office has worked to address them. As a result, the Cubs’ pitching rotation is shaping up to be quite intriguing. First of all, Justin Steele has emerged as a legitimate ace. The left-handed

posted excellent numbers in 2024 and will be counted on to anchor the rotation again.

Jameson Taillon, Shota Imanaga, and the Boyd mentioned above join Steele. Imanaga is an exciting player still finding his feet in the MLB. The Japanese star put pen to paper on a four-year, $53 million contract in January 2024 and featured in 29 games, finishing the

season with a 2.91 ERA. As Imanaga adjusts to the MLB heavy hitters, he will become a crucial part of the rotation.

Competition in the NL Central Division

The NL Central remains a competitive division featuring several teams vying for the to spot, meaning that the Cubs, although improved, will have a challenging path to the playoffs. The Milwaukee Brewers are perennial contenders who should be there or thereabouts at the business end of the 2025 campaign.

The St. Louis Cardinals are also expected to bounce back after missing the playoffs during the previous two seasons, while the Cincinnati Red’s young, dynamic lineup could ruffle a few feathers this coming season.

Although the Cubs won’t have matters their own way, they should have enough in the tank to get themselves over the line and lock in their seventh NL Central Division title. Securing an 18th NL Pennant may be a stretch too far, but you never know.

What Are Season Projections Saying?

According to early models, particularly Baseball Prospectus’ PECOTA projections, the Cubs are expected to win 90 games, putting them in contention for the NL Central crown. Although a playoff spot seems within the Cubs’ reach, getting there will depend on several factors, many of which are outside their control.

For starters, the Cubs need their first-choice starters to remain healthy through the long, grueling MLB season. The management team must rotate players and manage their game time to prevent the likelihood of injuries to key personnel.

Additionally, the team must continue developing its young players. Lesser experienced players can experience periods where their form drops and must be nurtured through these challenging periods.

The Cubs' vast fan base is eager for another championship, and those game-going fans could help push the team to glory. However, if results are not going their way, the fans' nervousness could spill onto the field.

Conclusion

The Chicago Cubs are, rightly, entering the 2025 MLB season with renewed optimism. Offseason acquisitions have helped build a roster with a mix of proven veterans and exciting young stars. Fans at Wrigley Field have seen this team climb to the top of the MLB before. If things break right, they may witness another magical October.