The latest MLB data underscores a painfully obvious truth for Chicago Cubs fans: the team’s offensive depth is both a strength and a vulnerability.
While the Cubs lead MLB in runs per game, batting average, on-base percentage, slugging, OPS, and stolen bases, their bottom-of-the-order hitters—Pete Crow-Armstrong, Carson Kelly, and Miguel Amaya—have significantly outperformed expectations. As of late April, their combined 13 home runs from the 7-9 spots matched the total of 21 teams’ 1-3 hitters combined .(ESPN.com)
However, this depth is a double-edged sword. The Cubs’ reliance on young players like Crow-Armstrong, Matt Shaw, and Michael Busch, who are expected to take on significant roles in 2025, introduces uncertainty. FanGraphs projects the Cubs to finish around 84-78, with a 55.4% playoff probability, suggesting that while the Cubs are still favored to win the NL Central, the margin for error is much smaller .(Athlon Sports)
This dynamic—where offensive depth is both a boon and a potential Achilles’ heel—reminds Cubs fans of the team’s ongoing journey to balance promise with consistency.(Reddit)
