The Chicago Cubs are in prime position to win the National League Central this year. The division is open for the taking with uncertainties surrounding their biggest rival, the Milwaukee Brewers. But like many contenders, they have question marks. The biggest problems the Cubs have faced in recent years are bullpen depth and inconsistent offense. Those are among the questions we have for Chicago heading into the 2025 season.
Can Shota Imanaga repeat his dominant rookie season?
Will the offense generate more power?
What impact will Justin Turner have?
How will back-half of rotation fare in 2025?
The Cubs have three solid starters at the top of their rotation in Imanaga, Justin Steele, and Jameson Taillon. But how will the back-half fare?
Chicago signed lefty starter Matthew Boyd to a two-year, $29 million deal. He was limited to just eight starts with the Cleveland Guardians after coming back from Tommy John surgery, with a 2.72 ERA and 46 strikeouts in 39 2/3 innings. He also made three starts in the playoffs, punching out 14 in 11 2/3 innings with a minuscule 0.77 ERA.
With Boyd penciled in as the No. 4 starter, the fifth spot will most likely go to Javier Assad, who made 29 starts for the Cubs in 2024. They also have rotation depth with Ben Brown, Colin Rea, Jordan Wicks, and Caleb Kilian.
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How reliable will the bullpen be?
The Cubs have remade a bullpen that finished 12th in MLB in ERA (3.81), 14th in batting average allowed (.233), 18th in strikeouts (587), and 19th in WHIP (1.29) in 2024. They acquired two-time All-Star reliever Ryan Pressly from the Astros, who saved 111 games in seven seasons with them. However, he’s regressed the last two seasons as his ERA has increased, while his ERA+ decreased.
The Cubs also picked up former Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Ryan Brasier, who took the mound 28 times during the regular season in 2024, on top of appearing in eight games in the playoffs. He struck out 25 across 28 innings, with a 3.54 ERA.
Chicago will be heavily relying on Porter Hodge, who had a 1.88 ERA across 39 games his rookie season in 2024. He struck out 52 batters in 43 innings, averaging 10.9 strikeouts per nine innings. The Cubs will need to count on their bullpen if they are hoping to play baseball in October.
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