Cubs Face Backlash Over Projected 2025 MLB Season Lineup

MLB released the Cubs’ projected lineup and pitching rotation on its main X account Friday night. As social media often does, the post brought out many disappointed fans who have a problem with the lineup and rotation.

The most liked tweet mentions how Justin Steele should be No. 1 in the rotation and not No. 3, followed by Javier Assad, who is not in the top five of the rotation. 

Steele finished last season with the second-lowest ERA among the Cubs’ starting pitchers, only behind Shota Imanaga. He also finished with the fewest allowed home runs (12) and runs (54) among the five starting pitchers.

The fan was concerned with the lack of Assad among the five pitchers. Last season, Assad had an ERA of 3.73 while also delivering 143 strikeouts in 29 games started. Assad, however, is dealing with a mild oblique strain. He could climb higher in the rotation as he gets healthier.

Several fans were upset over the lack of Nico Hoerner at second base in favor of Jon Berti. Hoerner accounted for a batting average of .273 and an on-base percentage of .335. 

He also accounted for 86 runs, a team-high 159 hits, a team-high 35 doubles, and a team-high 31 stolen bases. It is unknown how Hoerner will be out, but the team believes he will make a big return for the Tokyo Series or the first U.S. regular-season game.

Fans had some issues with shortstop Dansby Swanson being the projected second batter for the Cubs. Last season, Swanson was the sixth batter in the lineup for most of the season. 

He accounted for 129 hits, 82 runs (third on the team), 27 doubles, and 66 RBIs. His efficiency at the plate has been dropping since the Cubs acquired him after playing seven seasons with the Atlanta Braves.

One fan has no hope for the Cubs this season based on their perspective of how the roster changed. 

Fans knew losing Cody Bellinger via trade to the New York Yankees would be rough. They believe Kyle Tucker wasn’t enough to help the team on either side of the field.

There have been many fans calling out the MLB account for putting Jameson Taillon at No. 2 in the rotation above Steele. There are several things to keep in mind regarding this rotation.

Taillon appeared in the second-most innings last season for the Cubs at 165.1. He is also one of the more experienced and most efficient right-handed pitchers on the roster. 

While he has allowed more runs, hits, and home runs than Steele, he has appeared in nearly 30 more innings. Overall, it is up to the Cubs to determine if Taillon will be higher in the rotation when the season starts.