2025 MLB First-Half Recap: Chicago Cubs

The Pitching

The Good

Chicago added Kyle Tucker to bolster their lineup with a strong hitter who has few weaknesses, supporting what was already a good lineup, filled with power. Tucker, thus far, has helped take the Cubs to a new level.

The Cubs averaged 5.3 runs per game over their first 96 games, a pace that would result in 863 runs across a 162-game season. That total would easily exceed the 736 runs scored by the Cubs last season.

Tucker, with 17 home runs and a .882 OPS, has played a key role. But so has Seiya Suzuki, who’s directly benefited from batting behind Tucker. Suzuki hit 25 home runs over the All-Star break, already a career-best for the Cubs’ regular DH. Michael Busch has 19 on the season in his second season with the team.

However, no man, perhaps, has shone more than Pete Crow-Armstrong, the sophomore sensation. Crow-Armstrong, who made adjustments to get deeper in the box, not to mention using a heavier bat, went off in the first half, belting 25 home runs and 27 stolen bases. For those who read our Mariners‘ first-half recap, Crow-Armstrong had the second-highest SLG jump (.160) year-to-year from 2024 to 2025.

He started 2025 in the bottom-three of the lineup before moving up, simply because that bat has been too good to put in the seven hole.

As for their pitching staff, the Cubs navigated turbulent waters in the late innings early on in the season (I’ll get to that in the next section). Daniel Palencia, who’s thrown the third-most pitches of 100+ MPH velocity this season, locked down 12 saves in the first half, replacing Ryan Pressly.

The rest of the bullpen has been very good. Drew Pomeranz (550 ERA+) has been exceptional in his first MLB action, as he’s struck out 26 over 25 innings and has made it difficult for teams to pick up his high-carrying fastball. Caleb Thielbar (167 ERA+, 8.2 K/9) and Chris Flexen (261 ERA+, 5.6 H/9) have also been valuable assets.

Lastly, Matthew Boyd, signed in December after a terrific yet short run with Cleveland last season, has been an ace this season. Boyd, who’s leveraged a changeup more & more since his breakout 2019 campaign, is filling the zone more than (53.9% Zone%) than ever before, and getting outs with his five-pitch mix.

He made the All-Star team have a 10-win first half, one that saw him post a 2.34 ERA and a tidy 1.03 WHIP.

The Bad

Chicago’s needed to navigate the ups and downs of a 162-game season. With injuries, that can be hard to do.

The Cubs lost Justin Steele to season-ending elbow surgery in April, leaving the team without their co-ace early. Shota Imanaga, who’s pitched well despite not getting many strikeouts, missed several weeks with a hamstring strain. Additionally, Javier Assad, Jameson Taillon, and reliever Porter Hodge are presently on the IL.

Hodge was expected to be the fallback guy if Ryan Pressly faltered, which he did thanks to a 7.62 ERA — highlighted by nine runs allowed without an out against the Giants on May 6 — over his first 14 appearances. However, Palencia picked up the slack.

Hodge, though, was not sharp when on the mound. The right-hander surrendered six home runs and 12 walks over 23.2 IP.

Additionally, the Cubs have seen Matt Shaw (.564 OPS since returning to the Majors on May 19) have his own ups and downs as a rookie.

What to Expect in the Second Half

With so many injuries to the pitching staff, one would expect the Cubs to be active there with two weeks before the trade deadline.

Jed Hoyer told the New York Post in June that the Cubs would likely prioritize pitching, “both rotation and in the bullpen.” Adding another rotation arm would give the Cubs, come October and in the interim, help Chicago get there for the first time since 2020.