It's been a hot minute since the Cubs have been playoff-relevant in MLB. Could 2025 be the year?
After an 83-79 season a year ago, the Cubs made some big offseason moves. First, the Cubs sent Cody Bellinger to the Yanks in a salary dump. The Cubbies replaced him by trading for Kyle Tucker from the Astros, a significant upgrade. Afterward, the Cubs and Astros agreed on a second trade, with closer Ryan Pressley headed to the North Side.
In this 2025 Cubs season preview, I’ll explore the latest odds, highlight key projections, and uncover the best bets for the team this year.
2025 Cubs Odds: Division, NL Pennant, World Series
| World Series Odds | NL Pennant Odds | NL Central Odds |
|---|---|---|
| +2800 | +1400 | -110 |
Odds as of Feb. 24
Only the Dodgers (-700) have better odds to win their division this year than the Cubs. That may seem outrageous, but it makes sense if you scope out the NL Central landscape. The Brewers lost key players Devin Williams and Willy Adames, plus their owner doubled down on an unwillingness to spend money to help the team win. The Cardinals' only priority this winter was to trade Nolan Arenado (which they've failed), and the Pirates refuse to spend in free agency despite a roster of young talent.
In my eyes, the Reds (+450) are the only threat to Chicago's first division title since 2020. The -110 bet is more palatable if I frame the division odds this way. I'm not sure if I'm ready to lay those odds, but it's a far better bet than taking the Cubs to win the pennant or the World Series.
2025 Cubs Win Total Odds
| 2025 Win Total | OVER | UNDER |
|---|---|---|
| 86.5 | -110 | -110 |
Odds as of Feb. 24
Given the strength of competition within their division (and in the NL as a whole), the Cubs should go OVER 86.5 wins. Heck, Chicago's roster wasn't great last season and the club still won 83 games. Manager Craig Counsell will have another year to scheme things up and grow the clubhouse culture, plus Tucker could have a massive breakout year.
2025 Cubs Playoff Odds
| To Make Playoffs | To Miss Playoffs |
|---|---|
| -150 | +120 |
Odds as of Feb. 24
Usually, the NL Central runner-up doesn't make the postseason, hence the slight gap in the -110 division-winner odds and the -150 line for the Cubs to make the postseason. Based on the numbers I've looked at (and my gut instinct), Chicago will make the playoffs in 2025, ending a four-year drought.
2025 Cubs: NL MVP Odds + NL Cy Young Odds
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Kyle Tucker | +1400 |
Odds as of Feb. 24
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Shota Imanaga | +2800 |
| Justin Steele | +3000 |
Odds as of Feb. 24
I'm intrigued by Tucker's +1400 odds, but does he have enough in the tank, both skill- and talent-wise, to outlast the likes of Shohei Ohtani, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Juan Soto? Unlikely. The odds reflect the likelihood.
Still, it's hard not to love Tucker as the star of the show in The Windy City. He missed three months of action last season but returned for an aggressive month of September, hitting four homers and posting a 1.041 OPS. I understand why you might bet on Tucker, especially as a Cubs fan, but consider the strength of the field carefully.
