The Cubs’ offense was the best in baseball last season, leading MLB in OPS (.767), runs scored (850), walks (674), and slugging percentage (.428). Even if the lineup hadn’t collectively collapsed in the wild-card round against San Diego, Chicago had a glaring weakness that hindered the team’s upside—its starting pitching, which allowed seven runs in 7 1/3 innings against the Padres to continue a year-long trend.
Cubs starters surrendered the third-most home runs last season and ranked in the bottom half of MLB in ERA and strikeouts. Their rotation dealt with myriad injuries to key pitchers. Cade Horton missed nearly the entire season with an elbow injury. Justin Steele hasn’t pitched since 2024 and was unable to make it back for the end of the campaign. Edward Cabrera bounced between the injured list and the rotation while dealing with various ailments. Ben Brown missed the second half of the season with a neck injury, and Matthew Boyd missed about a month with a knee injury.
