The Cubs have taken the major league by surprise and have jumped out to a 25-18 start while playing the most difficult schedule to start the year. They’ve encountered the Dodgers, Padres, and Diamondbacks for multiple series while facing the Rangers, Phillies, Mets, and Giants, too.
Despite the gauntlet of a schedule, they have been one of the best offenses. They ranked second in runs, tenth in average, ninth in on-base percentage, third in home runs, third in slugging percentage, fourth in OPS, third in walks, and second in stolen bases through May 14th. They’re creating runs playing small ball and with the big swings too.
Luckily for them, the schedule starts to lighten up with their current series against the Marlins. They’ve taken the first two games so far, the most recent being a walk-off on a Justin Turner double, and have a chance to sweep them on Wednesday night. Not including this series, they face off against these teams for the foreseeable future: White Sox, Marlins, Reds, Rockies, Reds, Nationals, Tigers, Phillies, Pirates, Brewers, Mariners, and Cardinals.
This stretch carries them to the last week of June, and a majority of these teams are currently below .500. The Cubs will have a great opportunity to put some distance between themselves and the rest of their division.
However, the Cubs will be doing so without their Gold Glove left fielder Ian Happ. He was initially sat out of the lineup Saturday, May 10th, for an oblique injury and has since been put in the IL. Pete Crow-Armstrong has taken charge of the leadoff spot in his absence, but if there was ever a stretch of games to miss for Happ, it’s now.
The Happ injury allowed the Cubs to bring up young slugger Moises Ballesteros, who has been raking in Triple-A so far this year, to DH for the team. Ballesteros has put out a slash line of .368/.420/.522 to start his minor league campaign in 2025.
He made his major league debut in the Cubs’ walk-off win against the Marlins, but had a less-than-desired welcome. Ballesteros went 0-4 and grounded into an inning-ending double play with the bases loaded in the fourth inning.
Nobody should ever read into a first-game stat line for any player, but Cubs fans have no reason to worry yet. Let Ballesteros get some more time and let him learn from his own mistakes. The kid can play; he just needs time to adjust, as most young players do.
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About the Author of “Cubs’ Hot Start, Tough Schedule, Happ Injury, and More”
Zach Jonkman is an aspiring sports writer studying at Ball State University. An avid Chicago sports fan, Zach blends insightful analysis with passionate storytelling. Follow him on X @zachjonkman
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Cubs’ Hot Start, Tough Schedule, Happ Injury, and More
The Cubs have taken the major league by surprise and have jumped out to a 25-18 start while playing the most difficult schedule to start the year. They’ve encountered the Dodgers, Padres, and Diamondbacks for multiple series while facing the Rangers, Phillies, Mets, and Giants, too.
Despite the gauntlet of a schedule, they have been one of the best offenses. They ranked second in runs, tenth in average, ninth in on-base percentage, third in home runs, third in slugging percentage, fourth in OPS, third in walks, and second in stolen bases through May 14th. They’re creating runs playing small ball and with the big swings too.
Luckily for them, the schedule starts to lighten up with their current series against the Marlins. They’ve taken the first two games so far, the most recent being a walk-off on a Justin Turner double, and have a chance to sweep them on Wednesday night. Not including this series, they face off against these teams for the foreseeable future: White Sox, Marlins, Reds, Rockies, Reds, Nationals, Tigers, Phillies, Pirates, Brewers, Mariners, and Cardinals.
This stretch carries them to the last week of June, and a majority of these teams are currently below .500. The Cubs will have a great opportunity to put some distance between themselves and the rest of their division.
However, the Cubs will be doing so without their Gold Glove left fielder Ian Happ. He was initially sat out of the lineup Saturday, May 10th, for an oblique injury and has since been put in the IL. Pete Crow-Armstrong has taken charge of the leadoff spot in his absence, but if there was ever a stretch of games to miss for Happ, it’s now.
The Happ injury allowed the Cubs to bring up young slugger Moises Ballesteros, who has been raking in Triple-A so far this year, to DH for the team. Ballesteros has put out a slash line of .368/.420/.522 to start his minor league campaign in 2025.
He made his major league debut in the Cubs’ walk-off win against the Marlins, but had a less-than-desired welcome. Ballesteros went 0-4 and grounded into an inning-ending double play with the bases loaded in the fourth inning.
Nobody should ever read into a first-game stat line for any player, but Cubs fans have no reason to worry yet. Let Ballesteros get some more time and let him learn from his own mistakes. The kid can play; he just needs time to adjust, as most young players do.
Reach high-intent sports + business readers?
Sponsor a link or post — Email us here for curated placements, visibility, and audience trust.
—
About the Author of “Cubs’ Hot Start, Tough Schedule, Happ Injury, and More”
Zach Jonkman is an aspiring sports writer studying at Ball State University. An avid Chicago sports fan, Zach blends insightful analysis with passionate storytelling. Follow him on X @zachjonkman
More content like “Cubs’ Hot Start”:
MLB Streaming Wars: Team-Owned Networks Are Changing the Game
Cactus League Freedom
Is Being a White Sox Fan Driving Me Insane?
Read more about the Cubs’ Hot Start:
The Athletic
Fox Sports