How the Cubs Made the 2025 MLB Postseason

For the first time since 2020, the Cubs are going to the playoffs. Chicago became the third team to lock up a spot, and it’s a result of a wild five years. In that span, the Cubs overhauled their roster, found new foundational pieces, and built a team that ranks among the best in the Majors right now.

A long overhaul

When the Cubs last made the playoffs, the roster was comprised of many players who made up the core that won it all in 2016. Javier Baez, Jason Heyward, and the recently retired first baseman Anthony Rizzo were on that team.

The only current Cub who was on that team was Nico Hoerner, then a rookie (Hoerner is one of two from 2020 still in the organization; the other is Billy Hamilton, just re-signed on a Minor League deal).

That’s how much this team has changed since 2020.

A drastic overhaul saw many notable faces leave in 2020 and 2021. And, many of those names helped the Cubs get back to the postseason. Like, Baez, who was traded to the Mets in 2021 for Pete Crow-Armstrong.

Crow-Armstrong, despite a .160/216/.230 (.446 OPS) slash line — the worst OPS among hitters with 75+ PA — in August, has been one of baseball’s true breakout stars in 2025. The 23-year-old made some adjustments (and changed up his tools along the way) to become a force offensively, as he stands one home run away from a 30-30 campaign. Plus, he’s one of baseball’s premier defenders.

It’s important to note, though, that Crow-Armstrong started 2025 as the team’s regular #7 hitter. The Cubs came into the year with a very deep lineup, one that returned Ian Happ, Michael Busch, and Seiya Suzuki, the latter of whom thrived as a full-time DH. It became even deeper in December when Kyle Tucker came over via trade.

Like Crow-Armstrong, Tucker had a lull during the summer. But, it’s hard to argue how much Tucker, overall, changed the dynamic for the Cubs’ offense. Add in a 25-30 home run hitter with the ability to work counts, and it makes a tough lineup even harder to pitch around.

Hence, it’s not a shock that the Cubs are currently top ten in baseball in home runs, runs scored, and slugging percentage.

Underrated pitching

The Cubs’ rotation took a big hit early on when Justin Steele went down with season-ending elbow surgery. Steele was a workhorse who logged over 300 innings between 2023-24, averaged over a strikeout per inning, and was a true stabilizing force.

Despite hiccups along the way, the Cubs managed to maintain success with their rotation.

A lot of their success came thanks to All-Star pitcher Matthew Boyd. Boyd signed with the Cubs early on the winter last season after what was a strong last few weeks, both in the regular season and playoffs, with the Guardians.

Boyd emerged as a true strikeout pitcher back in 2019 with the Tigers. However, he’s very different now. He leveraged his changeup more as a Guardian, and that continued this season. And that pitch helped give him a true advantage against right-handers. Right-handed hitters are only hitting .200 (30.7% Whiff%) off the pitch.

The left-hander has been hit around in September. But overall, he’s been a solid addition.

Chicago added another valuable arm to their rotation in May when Cade Horton was promoted. Horton had a reputation for being a pitcher with a great slider and a cutting fastball. Between those two pitches and a changeup with a near-48% Whiff%, Horton pitched to a 2.66 ERA in his rookie campaign.

Those two, along with Shota Imanaga, have formed a strong top-three atop the Cubs’ rotation. It’s not a perfect rotation; Imanaga’s 1.6 HR/9 is in the bottom 20 of the league among pitchers with 100+ IP. But, it’s done the job.

Finding consistency with the bullpen

Chicago’s search for a ninth-inning arm pushed them to Ryan Pressly, the former Astros closer who moved to a setup role in 2024 thanks to Josh Hader. However, that move didn’t yield significant success.

Pressly was shaky at times in April. And after an outing on May 6 that saw Pressly give up eight runs without recording an out, his days as the Cubs’ closer were done. Pressly’s struggles continued through the season. He gave up four home runs over 9.1 IP in July. He was released in August.

The Cubs did eventually find their closer. It was an internal pitcher but not Porter Hodge, who worked in that role late last season. Instead, it was Daniel Palencia, the third-year pitcher, who had walk problems in 2023 and 2024.

Palencia was one of the many prospects acquired by the Cubs during their sell-off in 2021. Chicago acquired him from the Athletics in exchange for Andrew Chafin. He could always gas it up but he took his game to a new level in 2025. The 25-year-old struck out 59 over 51, routinely hit 100+ MPH, and picked up 22 saves as a closer.

Andrew Kittredge, meanwhile, steadied the ship when Palencia went on the injured list in September. Kittredge struck out 26 over his first 18.2 IP as a Cub since being acquired at the deadline. He also has five saves as a Cub.

Those two have been impressive. But don’t forget this: Drew Pomeranz (176 ERA+) was acquired in-season as a free arm. Brad Keller (179 ERA+), a Minor League signing, has seen his velocity tick up as a reliever. Caleb Thielbar (199 ERA+), signed just before the new year, didn’t cost much, either.

Those smaller signings can make a big difference.

What to expect in October

It’s going to be very interesting how the Cubs position their rotation come October.

Boyd has a 6.00 ERA in September and hasn’t thrown this many innings since 2019. Imanaga, who’s given up five home runs in September, has also had hiccups along the way.

And as for their lineup, Kyle Tucker remains on the injured list.

Nonetheless, the Cubs locked up a playoff berth, and, as of September 17, still have a shot at the division. That might not happen, though, as the Brewers are closing to securing a top-two spot in the National League.

The Cubs have questions heading into October. But regardless of how you feel, it’s going to be nice seeing the Friendly Confines host postseason baseball again.