FINAL PREDICTIONS for the 2025 Chicago Cubs

The stretch run. We give our final predictions of the 2025 season next. You are Locked on Cubs, your daily Chicago Cubs podcast, part of the Locked On podcast network. Your team every day. You are Locked on Cubs, part of the Locked On Network. Your team every day. Alongside Samber. I’m Matt Cozy. Sam and I are lifelong fans taking our passion into discussion with you on all things Cubs. Today’s episode is presented by Game Time. Download the Game Time app. Create an account. Use code locked on MLB for $20 off your first purchase. Couple injury updates later in the show to a couple of pitchers on the men for the Northsiders. 2026 schedule was released earlier this week. I at least want to just preview the first 15 games. uh the quest for a 15-0 start next year. Uh also uh this the schedule this year still 29 games left as we sit here prior to Cubs Giants Wednesday night. We decided to record before the game this time and also giving our final predictions down the stretch of the season here. Cubs entered Wednesday uh 76 and 56. And this is for the regular season. Uh unless Sam you you you would like to pull out your your crystal ball for the postseason. That could be fun, too. But I have two individual predictions and then I I think we could have a good time embracing you know their win loss the last 29 and really specifically what what that looks like based on uh the different series that they have. So first of all the number two starts with the games remaining now. Yep. This season has moved by so quickly. It has. I It’s It’s funny because I think it was Alex Cohen or or or Boo, I don’t remember who that was like, man, that Carson Kelly cycle in Sacramento feels like it was just yesterday. Oh, no. I mean, no, no, no. I mean, excuse me. They said that it that feels so long ago. I I I don’t even remember that. See, but to me, I do like this. It it it it if everything feels like it was it was just jumbled up and real quick, but but that’s the Good Friday game, the softball score. Yeah. That doesn’t feel too long ago, but it also feels like sort of more distant than I thought. Yeah. No, it’s just everything’s just jumbled up. I don’t know. Yeah. All right. Uh I have two player predictions in front of me. Uh looking forward to hearing yours as well. And I I’m starting with a player that I remember driving home from Cubs Dodgers in April of 2024, you and I. Yeah. And we were talking about this player as possibly ending the season as the Cubs best hitter. And that was for the 24 season. Uh we never saw him last year and this year he was up from day one. He got sent back down. He got called up again. And as it turns out, in terms of this pocket of the year, he might not finish as the Cubs best hitter, but shoot, he might be top third. And my first prediction is that Matt Shaw is just going to keep it going. It’s a it’s a general prediction. I have a more specific number for the next dude y I’m going to mention, but I have to start with Shaw. Uh this kid’s transformation at the highest level of the sport has been a joy to watch. 299 average since the break and he’s playing solid defense. I just think he’s going to keep it going. Yeah, I I think that’s I think that’s a pretty safe one. Um and a pretty fair one. I’ll go with I think there’s one more. Well, where would he rank right now in the Cubs nine hitters? Sean, I know he hits ninth, but what would his ranking be? Yeah, it’s too hard to answer that. Uh it’s it’s too hard. I mean I mean right now as we speak, he’s one of their better hitters. Thank you. But clearly Council doesn’t feel that way because he got pinching hit for again late last night in a rowy matchup for Willie Castro. You know, so for me, I would say that there’s one more peak of the SEA roller coaster. Yeah, me too. So, so, so we’re we’re at a downturn and it’s really bad again and I think there’s one more rise up before the roller coaster comes back down. Um, that would be that would be my that would be my my prediction there. I think there’s one more peak. What does that mean? What numbers? I think there’s just I think there’s one more say a hot streak coming. Um, does that does that come after he gets a couple of days off? Maybe. Does it does he not need the time off? I I I don’t know. I don’t know how that works. Um, but I think there’s one more. Sea is really hot again. There’s no way he could finish the season. I mean, he’s down hitting in the 240s now. Yeah, I’d like to see him sit against Logan Webb Thursday and then come back with a vengeance in Denver in Colorado. Uh, Sam say the last 34 games has one home run. Oh my gosh. Against Cincinnati. to get to 35, he would need to hit eight in the last 29. And that’s not outlandish, though, because he did that pace the first three months. Right. Right. But the last month plus, he uh he’s been uh like a like a AAA hitter. And so, yeah, that that that’s a great call to uh to get that rise. And hopefully hopefully he doesn’t come back down, you know, the rest of the way, especially this fall. Hopefully. Um I I think to get to 35, you know, it’s not outlandish. How does Kyle Tucker hitting 30 sound? Oh, no. Because that would be nine in 29 games. That’d be wild. Okay. And he hasn’t done that this year. I I’ve I had he hit in the month is seven. I had his over on home runs 29 and a half. Um as as I had Pete’s over in steals at 29 and a half, too. Uh but I just I I I don’t see that. That’d be great if he got to 30. That’d be really really impressive. Be a heck of a finish to this crazy run. But I don’t think so. I don’t think he gets to 30. That would be um like you said, he even when he was crushing the ball, he had that one real hot home run stretch where I think he hit like four in a row in Arizona and in Sacramento. Uh but but he hasn’t hit a bunch of home runs. So, yeah, he hasn’t. Uh All right, Eddie Moore from you. Predictions we get to Yeah. Yeah. I’ll say this. Um, this is this is kind of a a reverse, but I expect Matthew Boyd to not regress anymore. I expect Matthew Boyd to finish the year strong because I think there’s some trends now. Well, he’s had he’s had back-to-back poor outings and so maybe he’s is he fatiguing? What’s going on with him? I think he’s going to curb that and and finish the year strong and complete this this magical season that he’s having. Yeah. I I don’t think he located particularly well on Tuesday. Yeah, but his stuff looked okay. Yeah, he just got hammered a few pitches, but yeah, that sounds right. That sounds right. And uh I still look to him, Horton, and Shoda to lead this group. Uh maybe Colin Ray sneaks in, you know, spectacular outing here or there. What’s Assad’s role? What’s Brown’s role? Does Sarroka come back? He We’ll just give the updates now. He was supposed to throw a pen this week in San Fran. Tyion’s already doing some baseball activity uh following his hiccup the other day. So, yeah, optimistic, but we’ll we’ll see how optimistic we are when we break it down game by game right after this. This episode is brought to you by Upside. Hey, locked on Cubs fans, are you still paying full price for gas? Stop leaving money behind. Get real cash back every time you fill up with the free Upside app. Simply download the free upside app in the App Store or Google Play right now and start earning cash at the pump today. Use my limited time promo code season to get an extra 25 cents back per gallon on your first fillup. You can make up to $300 a year just from buying the gas you already needed. At first, I thought it was too good to be true, but it’s totally legit. Real people are getting paid just to make their daily commutes, and you can, too. Plus, you can cash out anytime to your bank account, PayPal, or an e gift card for Amazon and other brands. Don’t let this offer drive on by. Download the free upside app now using my limited time promo code season for a limited time 25 cent per gallon bonus. That’s promo code season. Offers vary by user and location. Go to upside.com for terms and conditions. Shout out to the everydayers. And you can become a locked on Cubs everyday by joining us every episode throughout the week. Make sure you’re subscribed to Locked on Cubs. That way you don’t miss any of the great Cubs content we’ve got for you. That includes Cubs Post with Joe George live after the final out of every game. And beginning September 8th, Bears Vikings. Joe will be on lockdown bears. All right, final 29 games. uh to be conservative, let’s just say the Cubs split the last two with the Giants. Uh we don’t have to be uh you know truths here, whatever the term is, but uh I mean I don’t think they’re going to get swept, so I’ll say they split. Uh so that means Well, I guess if we’re saying they split, then really we’re only breaking down 28 games, but who cares what the graphic says. Sure. So three at the Rockies, three verse Braves off day. Uh, you have the off day while you’re at Wrigley. You know, that’s kind of unusual. Three nationals, three at the Braves, off day, three verse the Rays at Wrigley. Then you go to Pittsburgh for three, Cincinnati for three. Then the last off day of the year that last week, they don’t play on Monday. That was kind of a surprise to me. And then they’ve closed with uh six at Wrigley, three against the Mets, three against the Cardinals. most difficult games on paper anyway are consecutive there with the four at the Reds and then three against the Mets at Wrigley albeit with the off day on that Monday separating. So if we bank a split in San Fran Yep. I have them going 18 and 10 the rest of the way. Let me see. Yeah, let me see where I go. Um, yeah, I’m just gonna count some wins real quick. I And whenever I do this, you want to go series by series? Whenever I do this, I never do sweeps. I just I just think I don’t like predicting sweeps. They’re just really hard. I have one sweep in here. Yeah, I’ll go. So, it’s this weekend. So, one Frisco, two Colorado’s three, two Atlanta’s five. two DC7. I’ll say they slip up in Atlanta only win 1 eight two in Tampa verse Tampa 10 two Pittsburgh 12 split in Cincinnati 14 uh uh two New York 16 two I got 19 more wins on the table. Wow. Wonder if my math is off then. I got 19 more wins on the table. 8 10 12 14 16 and then a sweep in Colorado. 19. Yeah. I got 19 more wins which would take him to what? 95. Yeah. 95 wins. That’s a really good season. And and if that if that doesn’t win you a division, what can you do? You know, 95 and 67. What a season that would be. Uh yeah, I I I wrote down originally three and three and 0 for the weekend. Yeah, I haven’t kept tabs on the Rockies this week. I know they gave the Dodgers some fits recently, but if 95 is the target or the possibility, which it is just based on the math, then I really I I think that would really help. Um, and it would, wow, it would really make for a special road trip, especially if they they only end up uh even if they end up losing the series in San Fran. Uh, they’d go seven and two still. But the the four gamer at the Reds, I I don’t think splitting is conservative there, right? No. No. Because that’d be a really nice result, especially with them chasing. Yeah. They’re they’re fighting for a spot, you know, they might be fighting for a spot till the last day. Yeah. Well, especially depending on how that series against and so they’re not going to hold back or anything like that, right? Uh the six at the with the Braves stands out to me. The Braves started 0 and7 then their entire rotation got hurt. Not at the same time, but they’ve all been hurt at different times and they’ve they’ve proven that no, it’s not possible to come back from that. So, they’re just playing the games right now. Yep. But they still have star level talent that are active. Yep. And so if if some of those guys if even just Ronald Aunia gets gets gets hot or or Strider if he’s healthy throws one of his gems, you’re probably looking at three and three there. And I I had three and three there. But you had, right? So you know, two and four. Yeah. I just I don’t see a whole lot of room for major falter here. Um, right. I just don’t I I I because of how the Padres’s are playing, right? Is that to get the first wild card? Because where are you at with goals right now? Well, well, I just mean I just mean I just don’t think the Cubs are going to lose a whole lot more games. I just even even if they play average baseball, I mean, they should take care of Colorado. They should take care of Atlanta at home. They should take care of Washington at home. They should take care of Tampa. They should take care of Pittsburgh. I mean, there’s really not They should. Yeah. There’s not a whole lot of oh man. I mean, they don’t have to play a particularly good brand of baseball um in order to win at least 17 18 of these games. I mean, the schedule really lines up nicely. Uh what they were able to do in April and May, April against good teams and then May against um not so good teams, it just it really it really set them up um to have a good season. And that’s kind of why it was so frustrating when they slumped against Cincinnati and when they slumped against St. Louis because you know there was there was a path to 97 98 99 there um with the way they were playing. So, we’ll see. Um, in terms of the goals for the wild, I mean, wild card, like I said, you know, you want to dream about the division, but yeah, you know, but the Brewer and we speak about going streaking on this show. I mean, speak for speak for myself, I guess, but we we’ve talked about streaks before, which the Cubs really haven’t done. The Brewers, those Brewers win streaks, that was the they won the division because of that. Yeah. Well, they had I mean, you could dream. We could dream all we want, but because they did that, that’s why that’s why they will hold that banner. Well, I think they had a 14 gamer, an 11 gamer. They did it like three times. I think they had a 14 gamer, an 11 gamer, and a nine gamer. That’s the That’s the division. Yeah. I mean, that’s division over. They basically started the season with that with in that case 34-0. Oh my gosh. You know what I mean? That’s like starting that’s just start like starting the year 34 and0 and then you see what happens. So, it’s almost, you know, you could get even irritated all you want, but that that that was the central right there. Yeah. I think the goal is to get that first wild card spot. You know, you’re a game and a half. I want to see them play at Wrigley. Yeah. You’re a game and a half up on the Padres’s, right? Um, which is a team that I have a lot of respect for. I think they’re really good. I mean, the Dodgers have to be right there, right? Yeah. They’re they’re they’re a game ahead of that. So you’re you’re a half game up on the Dodgers. So yeah, if you can play at Wrigley host, feel real good about your pitchers, I mean that that gives you the best path. And oh, by the way, then you’re going to get your shot at Milwaukee regardless like what we talked about with the boxing analogy. And that’s all you could do. And do I have dreams of us covering a playoff series at Wrigley Field? I mean, come on. That’s what it’s all about right there. It’d be amazing. H It’s not that far away. It’s only a month away. Yep. Uh all right. Uh what else did I have about the schedule I wanted to point out? Um I think that was it. So, all right. Stretch run for sure. And uh before we get to the 2026 schedule on our next episode, uh we will recap Cubs Giants in full. We could preview Cubs Rockies, hit up any news and notes from the last day or two. And also on Monday, Sam, a 27th and 28th player will be here. Who could that be? Yeah. So, we’ll preview that for next time as well. Coming up next, the 2026 schedule was was released on Tuesday, and we begin to break that down right after this. This episode is brought to you by Game Time. There’s nothing like catching a baseball game live. The energy, the crowd, the chance to see your team in person, but actually getting tickets, that’s the tough part. Cues, login screen, surprise fees, it takes all the fun out of it. That’s why I use Game Time, the app that gives the advantage back to the fans. Game time is fast, easy, and backed by the Game Time guarantee. You always get 100% authentic tickets delivered on time and at the best price. Plus, all fees are included, so the price you see is the price you pay. I have been to Wrigley, let’s see, I believe four times this year. Matt and I, Padres, Cleveland, uh um I saw the Pirates and I saw the Brewers. So, I’m 4 and0 at Wrigley this year and all four times um I used Game Time. Download the Game Time app, create an account, use code lockdown MLB for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Again, that’s promo code L K D O N MLB for $20 off. Swipe, tap, ticket, go download game time today. 4-0 at Wrigley. That means we got to get you there for the wild card game. Yeah. Yeah. All right. Uh, man, I should we try to go to that? I I You almost can’t because of the show. Yeah. You got We got Sounds kind of goofy, but you got to be by your computer. Yeah, we have to take advantage of that opportunity. I feel like I believe that. That sounds right. We have an important request. Lockdown wants to hear from you. We’ve put together a survey to learn more about our listeners and make your favorite podcast even better. This is your chance to tell Locked On what you like, what you don’t. Answer questions about advertising. Go to lockedonpodcast.com/servey to get started. Everyone who completes a survey will be entered for a chance to win one of 10 $100 Amazon gift cards. Again, that’s lockedpodcast.comservey. You can also find the link to the survey in this episode description. All right. Well, a lot on the table. a lot for 2025, but the 2026 schedule was released on Tuesday. And just really the last week, there’s been news about 2026, whether that’s media rights, uh, World Baseball Classic is going to Netflix, uh, World Baseball Classic in March. Sam, I know cover that. I can’t believe, uh, let’s see. Um, Cubs convention dates were released today. So, you know, there’s always a a a news item or two about next year uh a little bit inconveniently, honestly, during the current season, right? I I really don’t so I don’t want to come off as complaining about this. Why? But I think this is the most thoughtful way to ask the question. Why is the season starting on Thursday, March 26th at Wrigley Field? Because I’ll tell you why. Because they want to play in the It’s going to be snowing. Yeah, it’s it’s not going to be a great sell for the free agents offensively saying I You know what? I had that thought today. Just in general, do people still want to play here? I think pitchers are going to be lining up. Okay. I think pitchers are going to be wanting to line up, especially on one-year deals, saying, “Man, I’d love to get get on the mound at Wrigley, see the wind blow in, give up 105 mph, 25 degree fly ball to right center field that dies at the track.” I mean, it sounds lovely. Hitters, especially if you hit from the left side, I don’t think so. Uh tough tough cell. Yeah. I mean the good news for us is March 26. I mean we started obviously this last year with the Japan series in mid-March, but March 26 that’s an early start date. So I know we’ll be jumping right into it and um you know it’ll be uh it’ll be real fun. I mean I I I expect the Cubs to you know take care of business in that series again against Washington. And then they have the Angels of Anaheim coming into 32 degree Wrigley Field where right well the first 15 games we should go over that. Oh boy, it’s so light. Say that. But you say that now but you know this year it’s like hey you want to play good teams early you know. So well that that and that proved to be a positive for sure. I could see myself now Cubs are eight and seven. It’s a cold. You got to start 10 and five. It’s a cold, blistery midappril night. And I’m complaining, hey, eight and seven, but they look who they’ve already, you know, they played some bad teams and needed to knock out 10 of those wins. Not good. And and I just thinking of myself saying it gives me a headache. Yeah. Nationals Angels at home, then you go to Cleveland and Tampa, and then three at home against the Pirates. I I’m sorry. That’s 10. You got to go 10 and five. Uh, you know, maybe you could convince me about nine and six. Yeah. No, eight and seven would be sickening. Um, was there any anything else that stood out? Because I my guess is that you looked across the whole schedule, which I I have not yet. Yeah. Uh, six games in nine days or no, excuse me, seven games in 10 days against Milwaukee in September. So, oh yeah, that stood out. Now that could be musty television. Yeah. And it just it’s weird. It’s like a time warps because we’re not even in September of 2025 yet. I know. Well, we will be on Monday, right? So, all right. Well, what let’s What’s What should we set the overunder temperature at for March 26, 2026? Oo. Uh uh because it’s going to be cold. I’ll say 40 and a2 degrees. Yeah, it’s a good call. I’ll be a little sunnier and say 45 and a half, but you you won’t be able to hit a home run on March 26th at Wrigley Field. Will they hit a homer the first six games if you start your at bat at shortstop? It really has been that bad. Is it two years in a row now or three? Unless Unless you just hit a line drive rocket right through the wind. No, this is this is the second year in a row it’s been really second year. Okay, so we’ll have to do some digging on that. And so Tucker is probably as good as gone. All right. Um shout out to shout out to my buddy Frank. Uh he he he gave me a great prediction. Uh uh Kyle Tucker and I like it. Look out for Kyle Tucker in the offseason. Texas Rangers. Really? Yeah. Did some digging. Why? Why is there any reason yet? Uh well, I’ll save that for the offseason. Okay. Because Ken Rosenthal has linked him to the Rays. Sorry. Um Oh, cuz he’s from because he’s from there. Yeah. And I think they’re getting a new owner that may spend big right away. Wow. Something like that. So, all right. Well, the Rangers have spent recently, so see if they they they back up the truck again and hopefully the Cubs do. Our next episode, Cubs Giants Recap, Cubs Rockies preview, and more, including September call-ups. This is Locked On Cubs, part of the Locked On Network, your team every day. For your second listen, check out the allnew Locked On MLB game night every game every night, all season long. Get local analysis on a national scale. Find MLB Game Night on the Locked On MLB channel on YouTube or wherever you listen to podcast. and Sam. Uh, we got to check out Sunny this week. It’s Al Night Football’s opener Friday night, I believe. Right. Can’t believe it. Sunny over at Lockdown Ali, who’s also a Cubs fan. Shout out to him. He’s Sam Olber. I’m Matt Cozy. This is Locked On. Shout out to Matt Cozy. And Sam Olber, host of my favorite podcast, Locked On Cubs.

Find out the final predictions for the Cubs this season, including win-loss record. Plus: Taking a look at the 2026 schedule.

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29 comments

  1. Sam your delusional Suckazucki has to go along with Hapless .We need clutch hitters not guys who cant knock in guys .Get Swarby put Happless out to pasture along with Suckzucki.And please fire this worthless manager have a nice day.

  2. Sorry boys better redo those SaFran games they got their arses handed to them 12 3 only runs by a Homer by Hoerner .Cubs gonna be under 500 in wins in August and Sept ,Cubs end up 83-80

  3. Nothing else matters when CC desides to ignore Shaw’s arrival, decides to bat Turner and Kelly 4th and 5th, decides to ignore Owen Caissie and run out lifetime .241 hitter mediocre Ian Happ. He is objectively bad, Craig I mean.

  4. Another bad loss last night after you recorded. Hard to predict this team. One day they look like they can beat anyone and the next they’re completely inept. I’ll be happy with 90 wins the way it’s going.

  5. I am so disappointed. Why is this always happening to the Cubs? Another year of hopes dashed. Ricketts gets just what he wants. Wrigley full, and a wildcard playoff spot, and millions in their pockets.

  11. You’re looking at the possibility of a 15-0 start in 2026? What difference would that make? I remember they started out pretty hot in 2025. They are awful and have been awful for the whole second half of 2025.

  12. I know many of us have chastised Jed and Carter for their prospect hugging, but look at their inconsistent "veteran" hitters. '23, '24, and now '25, all of the veteran hitters have been mediocre with some hot streaks peppered in there. Nico has been the main guy who has been consistent and fun to watch. I really enjoy Nico and the kids, the other guys not so much. Not saying they're bad, just saying I, myself, do not really enjoy watching them. I loathe Counsell; I won't pretend to like him.

  13. I love the positive attitude, but if you think there will be baseball next year… 😅. Hard to play ball when half of the league cities will be under martial law 😮

  15. Suzuki is far too frequently looking at an 0-2 count. Striking out way too frequently. And yes he and most of the others have stopped hitting HR's. That is killing the offense. Really weird.

  16. I have a sinking feeling that this Cubs team is going to disappoint in the same manor as the '23 team did, when they had a 96% chance of making the playoffs at the end of July, and we all know how that ended.

  18. Very surprised they’re not giving Caissie a chance to hit, Happ, SS, tired guys, I think Colorado could surprise this team right now, they need a spark. Shaw has been unbelievable,

  22. Long time viewer first time making comment. Life long Cubbie fan, a lot of fun watching you two keep up the great work!!!

    Just wondering about hustle lately & how bad the players want it. Not just the player I'm about to mention, but a couple others ones. *Clear throat*… play Cassie in left, plz. Ok, enough I just don't want too much trolling so I'll stick with one for now… here goes.

    I get Tucker was supposed to be the "superstar" ( & is a great player ). But SF game 1st inning barely jogs towards right center with not much effort. Again in the 3rd kind of lazily jogs as ball goes over his head. The 5th lazy jog weird pathing to the landing of the blooper by Chapman. Then strange play, but really miss throw hit Chapman in the head?

    Has Tucker just checked OUT ready to sign that nice deal $$$ with NYY or LAD to play in a shadow of a superstar? Is he really still hurt? If it is the case then the Cubs office needs to release it somehow. I am just wondering what you all think?

    I get it that 100% effort 100% of the time is impossible, but seems like a trend.

    Also guys like PCA, Swanson, Turner, Shaw, Kelly, Rea, Boyd… a lot of others still hustle & some aren't playing at their peak right now.

    If he wants to be the "guy" then leadership skills need some work. Hustle when your up or down, make effort, lead the way. I don't want to see a Heyward contract again on a pipe dream of what could be… got to see what is. This is Chicago bring your lunch pail, or pick up your ball & go to the house.

    GO CUBS !!!

  23. great positive thinking but we really suck right now going into our usual August and September choke a thon! Overpaid manager and Gm and a cheap owner so what's new been a Cub fan since 1962 getting pretty used to this! Bring up the kids and let Happ Kelly Seija (see ya) and these pathetic coaches take an early vacation! Love you guys me being an every dayer but if we luck out and get into playoffs it will be short and we are back to being happy with everything and nothing will change until people quit going to this gem of a ballpark we have in Wrigley Field!!!!!!

  26. I see you both really put on the rose-tinted glasses for these projections. Considering they just got swept by the Giants and how the offense is looking I'd honestly be surprised if they even win half but let's see how they do against the Rockies. The offense continues to look quite bad outside of Nico and Shaw. I sure hope you guys are right though! Go Cubs!

  29. I remember the Cubs spending the first 2 weeks of a few seasons opening against the Western teams and then swinging down South. 1st Wrigley game was on April 14th or 15th.

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