CHICAGO — Don’t look now, but the Chicago Cubs are rolling, and the driving force behind their early-season success has been the high-level production from their revamped offense.
After the first month of the 2025 MLB season, the title of “best offense in baseball” belongs to the Cubs. Through 26 games, Chicago leads all of MLB in batting average (.265), on-base percentage (.346), OPS (.806), hits (243) and runs scored (163). Also, the Cubs lead the league in stolen bases by a wide margin, with 40.
Advertisement
What’s more, in games in which they’ve trailed, the Cubs’ hitters have proven multiple times that a deficit isn’t something that fazes them, a sign of a confident offense even in April. Just in the past week, they’ve battled back to beat the Diamondbacks 13-11 last Friday and the Dodgers 11-10 on Tuesday.
“I do think being down late in games and winning games that you’re down in, I think that is a really good experience for teams to have early in the season,” manager Craig Counsell said. “I think those are important experiences. Going up against bullpens and the best the other teams have is resilience-building.
“And so I think it’s a step in that direction.”
Typically, when a baseball team has an elite lineup, there’s a marquee player in the middle who makes every hitter around him better. Enter Kyle Tucker.
Advertisement
Tucker, acquired from the Astros as the Cubs’ biggest move of the offseason, was one of the best players in baseball before he ever stepped foot in Chicago. But since his arrival in December, he has been every part the superstar that the Cubs have needed for years, and in turn, he’s helping to elevate the rest of the offense.
The three-time All-Star is slashing .314/.423/.637 with eight doubles, two triples, seven homers, 25 RBI and seven stolen bases so far. Ahead of free agency this winter, Tucker is on pace for his best season ever. And given the high level of production from the entire Cubs lineup, pitching around Chicago’s best hitter has become rather difficult for opposing pitchers.
While Tucker’s immediate superstar impact might have been expected, a more surprising development — and what has really unlocked the team’s offense early this season — has been the dramatic improvement throughout the Cubs’ lineup. Last season, the Cubs had just one player with an OPS over .800, and that was former right fielder and current designated hitter Seiya Suzuki.
Advertisement
So far this season, they have five starters surpassing that OPS threshold: first baseman Michael Busch (.973), center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (.888), catcher Carson Kelly (1.414), Suzuki (.894) and Tucker (1.060). Second baseman Nico Hoerner and left fielder Ian Happ are both over .700. With the instant impact from new faces in Tucker and Kelly combined with steps forward from young players in Busch and Crow-Armstrong as well as veterans in Hoerner and Happ, the Cubs’ offense is looking more formidable than it has in years.
The biggest offensive surprise for the Cubs so far is Crow-Armstrong, who has been one of the most dynamic players in baseball to start the season. Always thought of as a glove-first player, PCA has burst onto the scene offensively in his sophomore season. The speedy center fielder already has nine doubles, a triple and five homers to go with his 10 stolen bases.
When diving into the numbers this year compared to last, the biggest difference is that Crow-Armstrong is hitting the ball in the air 47.9% so far in 2025, up from 42.5% in 2024. Also, his hard contact rate is up by nearly 7%.
Advertisement
At a time when the power in baseball appears to have swung (no pun intended) to the National League, it’s crucial for any would-be contender to have an offense that can keep pace with the other powerhouse clubs in the Dodgers, Padres, Diamondbacks and Phillies. With Chicago having faced four of those squads already and playing three games against the Phillies this weekend at home, the Cubs have more than held their own through a tough early-season schedule.
The Cubs’ haven’t had a top-five offense in baseball since 2017, which is also the last time this team won a playoff series, but with the way things are trending so far and the solid production the Cubs are getting from up and down the lineup, they could return to being a top-five offense this season.
Not only that, but if Chicago’s offensive improvements prove to be sustainable — and early signs suggest that they are — this is a team that could be swinging its way to the postseason this year.
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
Arsenal hoje: time tem desfalques de peso contra o PSG na Champions League
Thomas Partey é uma das baixas do Arsenal no duelo decisivo (Divulgação - Arsenal) O Arsenal recebe o Paris Saint-Germain nesta terça-feira (29), às 16h (de Brasília), no Emirates Stadium, em duelo de ida das semis na Champions League, objetivando garantir boa vantagem para decidir fora dos seus domínios na próxima semana. Para o confronto, o técnico Mikel Arteta terá alguns problemas pontuais na formatação do time. Thomas Partey é ausência garantida, após receber o terceiro cartão amarelo no confronto de volta contra o Real Madrid, e só retorna no jogo do Parque dos Príncipes. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE Além dele, os Gunners ainda amargam problemas com jogadores lesionados. A lista é encabeçada pelo brasileiro Gabriel Jesus, que por conta de grave lesão, só volta na próxima temporada. As baixas são complementadas por Gabriel Magalhães, Kai Havertz, Tomiyasu, Calafiori e Jorginho. Do […]
Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo could face FA action after revealing shirt with religious message
Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo could face action from the English FA after removing his shirt to reveal a religious message during his side’s win over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.Gakpo scored Liverpool’s third goal in the 5-1 win as the club sealed a 20th top-flight title.The Netherlands international fired past Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario in the 34th minute and took off his shirt in celebration, revealing a vest with the message, “I belong to Jesus” on the front. It bore resemblance to the shirt worn by former Ballon d’Or winner Kaka, which displayed the same message, after his Milan team defeated Liverpool in the 2007 Champions League final.AdvertisementGakpo, who also wore the shirt in the title celebrations after the game, was booked for removing his jersey.The International Football Association Board (IFAB) laws of the game — which the FA follows — […]
Pac-12 lands CBS, ESPN and The CW to broadcast Oregon State and Wazzu’s 2025 home games
The rebuilding Pac-12 Conference announced Friday that the 13 home games for Oregon State and Washington State in 2025 will be broadcast across a mix of three networks: CBS, ESPN and The CW.It’s the next step in a multi-step process to reconstruct the league. Although the deal is only for 2025 and nothing further has been finalized, the announcement indicates advanced talks with the same networks for the larger TV rights package covering 2026 and beyond, when the Pac-12 will add five Mountain West schools and at least one more school yet to be determined. Commissioner Teresa Gould has previously said the conference was looking for long-term partners in its 2025 talks.Advertisement“Having Pac-12 football featured across three leading broadcasters in CBS, The CW and ESPN in 2025 will provide tremendous exposure to showcase Oregon State, Washington State and our brand […]
Nottingham Forest Q&A: Brentford preview, injury latest, Nuno press conference
Nottingham Forest might not have secured a place in the FA Cup showpiece, but as Morgan Gibbs-White stated, they still have five cup finals left to play in the Premier League.Brentford visit the City Ground on Thursday, as Nuno Espirito Santo’s side look to shake off the disappointment of their semi-final defeat to Manchester City at Wembley. Forest slipped down into sixth place at the weekend, but can climb back up into third if they can win their game in hand, against Thomas Frank’s Bees. With Ryan Yates and Neco Williams available again after suspension and Ola Aina still working to recover from a calf injury, Nuno will hope to have fresh options available to him as the fight for a top-five finish continues. We will be holding a Nottingham Forest Q&A shortly after Nuno’s press conference this afternoon, at […]
Nechtěl jsem jen roční smlouvu, říká Gazda o konci ve Finsku. V Brně bojuje o MS a ve finále přeje Kometě
„Motivace dostat se na šampionát je na úplně nejvyšší úrovni, o tom se ani nemusíme bavit,“ říká sedmadvacetiletý zlínský rodák.Proč jste se rozhodl skončit po jednom roce ve Finsku?Řešil jsem, jestli budu pokračovat ve Finsku, od Ilvesu jsem měl nabídku celkem brzy. Nechtělo se mi ale postupovat po ročních smlouvách, v Česku jsem dostal nabídku na víceletý kontrakt. Taky jsou tam nějaké osobní věci, které ještě nemůžu zmínit a které mě táhnou blíž domovu. Ještě nemůžu říct, kam zamířím, ale můžu prozradit, že se vracím do české extraligy. Hokejová reprezentace nemohla trénovat v hale Komety, musela se přesouvat ve výstroji autobusemVideo: Sport.czSedmým finále mezi Pardubicemi a Kometou v úterý vrcholí extraliga, komu přejete titul?Těžká otázka (smích a přemýšlí). Pár finálových zápasů jsem viděl. Psal jsem klukům z Brna, že jim fandím, takže to přeji přátelům, které znám.Překvapila vás Kometa, kam se dokázala dostat?S klukama jsem byl v kontaktu, znal […]
Arsenal hoje: veja provável time contra o PSG na Champions League
Jogadores do Arsenal durante jogo na Premier League (Julian Finney/Getty Images) Sem perder desde fevereiro, o Arsenal recebe o PSG nesta terça-feira (29), às 16h (de Brasília), em choque da semifinal na Champions League, no Emirates Stadium, na corrida pelo sonhado título inédito do torneio continental. Para a partida, o técnico Mikel Arteta terá baixas importantes. Advertido com amarelo no duelo diante do Real Madrid, o volante Thomas Partey é desfalque certo. Além dele, o Arsenal ainda amarga outros cinco problemas, mas por lesão. Ficam fora: Kai Havertz, Tomiyasu, Jorginho, Gabriel Magalhães e Gabriel Jesus, que só retorna na próxima temporada. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE A lista de baixas ainda pode aumentar, isso porque Merino, Calafiori e Ben White são tratados como dúvidas no embate frente aos franceses. Enquanto o Arsenal tem uma série de problemas, o PSG vem com força máxima […]
Related
Arsenal hoje: time tem desfalques de peso contra o PSG na Champions League
Thomas Partey é uma das baixas do Arsenal no duelo decisivo (Divulgação - Arsenal) O Arsenal recebe o Paris Saint-Germain nesta terça-feira (29), às 16h (de Brasília), no Emirates Stadium, em duelo de ida das semis na Champions League, objetivando garantir boa vantagem para decidir fora dos seus domínios na próxima semana. Para o confronto, o técnico Mikel Arteta terá alguns problemas pontuais na formatação do time. Thomas Partey é ausência garantida, após receber o terceiro cartão amarelo no confronto de volta contra o Real Madrid, e só retorna no jogo do Parque dos Príncipes. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE Além dele, os Gunners ainda amargam problemas com jogadores lesionados. A lista é encabeçada pelo brasileiro Gabriel Jesus, que por conta de grave lesão, só volta na próxima temporada. As baixas são complementadas por Gabriel Magalhães, Kai Havertz, Tomiyasu, Calafiori e Jorginho. Do […]
Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo could face FA action after revealing shirt with religious message
Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo could face action from the English FA after removing his shirt to reveal a religious message during his side’s win over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.Gakpo scored Liverpool’s third goal in the 5-1 win as the club sealed a 20th top-flight title.The Netherlands international fired past Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario in the 34th minute and took off his shirt in celebration, revealing a vest with the message, “I belong to Jesus” on the front. It bore resemblance to the shirt worn by former Ballon d’Or winner Kaka, which displayed the same message, after his Milan team defeated Liverpool in the 2007 Champions League final.AdvertisementGakpo, who also wore the shirt in the title celebrations after the game, was booked for removing his jersey.The International Football Association Board (IFAB) laws of the game — which the FA follows — […]
Pac-12 lands CBS, ESPN and The CW to broadcast Oregon State and Wazzu’s 2025 home games
The rebuilding Pac-12 Conference announced Friday that the 13 home games for Oregon State and Washington State in 2025 will be broadcast across a mix of three networks: CBS, ESPN and The CW.It’s the next step in a multi-step process to reconstruct the league. Although the deal is only for 2025 and nothing further has been finalized, the announcement indicates advanced talks with the same networks for the larger TV rights package covering 2026 and beyond, when the Pac-12 will add five Mountain West schools and at least one more school yet to be determined. Commissioner Teresa Gould has previously said the conference was looking for long-term partners in its 2025 talks.Advertisement“Having Pac-12 football featured across three leading broadcasters in CBS, The CW and ESPN in 2025 will provide tremendous exposure to showcase Oregon State, Washington State and our brand […]
Nottingham Forest Q&A: Brentford preview, injury latest, Nuno press conference
Nottingham Forest might not have secured a place in the FA Cup showpiece, but as Morgan Gibbs-White stated, they still have five cup finals left to play in the Premier League.Brentford visit the City Ground on Thursday, as Nuno Espirito Santo’s side look to shake off the disappointment of their semi-final defeat to Manchester City at Wembley. Forest slipped down into sixth place at the weekend, but can climb back up into third if they can win their game in hand, against Thomas Frank’s Bees. With Ryan Yates and Neco Williams available again after suspension and Ola Aina still working to recover from a calf injury, Nuno will hope to have fresh options available to him as the fight for a top-five finish continues. We will be holding a Nottingham Forest Q&A shortly after Nuno’s press conference this afternoon, at […]
Nechtěl jsem jen roční smlouvu, říká Gazda o konci ve Finsku. V Brně bojuje o MS a ve finále přeje Kometě
„Motivace dostat se na šampionát je na úplně nejvyšší úrovni, o tom se ani nemusíme bavit,“ říká sedmadvacetiletý zlínský rodák.Proč jste se rozhodl skončit po jednom roce ve Finsku?Řešil jsem, jestli budu pokračovat ve Finsku, od Ilvesu jsem měl nabídku celkem brzy. Nechtělo se mi ale postupovat po ročních smlouvách, v Česku jsem dostal nabídku na víceletý kontrakt. Taky jsou tam nějaké osobní věci, které ještě nemůžu zmínit a které mě táhnou blíž domovu. Ještě nemůžu říct, kam zamířím, ale můžu prozradit, že se vracím do české extraligy. Hokejová reprezentace nemohla trénovat v hale Komety, musela se přesouvat ve výstroji autobusemVideo: Sport.czSedmým finále mezi Pardubicemi a Kometou v úterý vrcholí extraliga, komu přejete titul?Těžká otázka (smích a přemýšlí). Pár finálových zápasů jsem viděl. Psal jsem klukům z Brna, že jim fandím, takže to přeji přátelům, které znám.Překvapila vás Kometa, kam se dokázala dostat?S klukama jsem byl v kontaktu, znal […]
Arsenal hoje: veja provável time contra o PSG na Champions League
Jogadores do Arsenal durante jogo na Premier League (Julian Finney/Getty Images) Sem perder desde fevereiro, o Arsenal recebe o PSG nesta terça-feira (29), às 16h (de Brasília), em choque da semifinal na Champions League, no Emirates Stadium, na corrida pelo sonhado título inédito do torneio continental. Para a partida, o técnico Mikel Arteta terá baixas importantes. Advertido com amarelo no duelo diante do Real Madrid, o volante Thomas Partey é desfalque certo. Além dele, o Arsenal ainda amarga outros cinco problemas, mas por lesão. Ficam fora: Kai Havertz, Tomiyasu, Jorginho, Gabriel Magalhães e Gabriel Jesus, que só retorna na próxima temporada. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE A lista de baixas ainda pode aumentar, isso porque Merino, Calafiori e Ben White são tratados como dúvidas no embate frente aos franceses. Enquanto o Arsenal tem uma série de problemas, o PSG vem com força máxima […]
Be the first to leave a comment