With Opening Day looming for all teams, let’s gaze into the crystal ball to see what’s in store for every team in the National League Central.
Chicago Cubs | Record prediction: 86-76 (second in NL Central)
OF Kyle Tucker brings a boost: Expected to contend in the National League, the Cubs overhauled their roster during the offseason, headlined by trading for Tucker.
In an injury-shortened 2024 season with the Astros, Tucker posted a .289/.408/.585 slash line in 78 games, earning his third straight All-Star appearance. In 2023, Tucker placed fifth in the AL MVP race.
Fully healthy in 2025, Tucker is a key piece in Chicago’s bid to not only secure a playoff berth but also to compete for the division crown. That’s something the Cubs haven’t done since the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season, the last time they won the NL Central.
Cincinnati Reds | Record prediction: 83-79 (third)
Terry Francona gets Cincinnati in the winning column: The Reds finished last season 77-85 but feature a young roster led by All-Star shortstop Elly De La Cruz and a starting rotation anchored by another All-Star in Hunter Greene.
With David Bell no longer with Cincinnati — he was fired as manager last September — Francona steps in. He is renowned for developing players into stars (most recently third baseman José Ramírez of the Guardians) and playoff success (two World Series titles with Boston and an AL pennant with Cleveland). Francona brings experience to the Reds and an impressive managerial record (1950-1672) over 24 seasons. Expect the Reds to land over .500.
Milwaukee Brewers | Record prediction: 88-74 (first)
Jackson Chourio continues to rise: After finishing third in the NL Rookie of the Year voting, the 21-year-old outfielder is entering his second season with Milwaukee, now as an everyday starter.
The young star slashed .275/.327/.464 with 21 home runs, 79 RBI and 22 stolen bases in 148 games in 2024. He was the youngest player in MLB history to record a 20-home run, 20-stolen base season.
In spring training, he batted .469 (23-for-49) with nine doubles — the most in the league — showing even more growth in his game.
Poised for another playoff push and a run at the division title — Milwaukee has won the NL Central three of the past four seasons — the Brewers are in great shape with Chourio as a cornerstone.
Pittsburgh Pirates | Record prediction: 78-84 (fourth)
Paul Skenes has an even stronger second season: After winning NL Rookie of the Year and placing third in the NL Cy Young race, Skenes — who debuted in the big leagues last May — is set for his second season in the majors and first Opening Day start. In 23 starts last season, he posted an 11-3 record, 1.96 ERA and 0.95 WHIP.
It may seem hard to surpass those numbers, but Skenes’ ceiling appears far from reached, suggesting the potential for an even stronger season ahead.
“It’s kind of amazing what you can do with a baseball if you really want to,” he said Monday, per The Athletic’s Tyler Kepner. “So I’m never going to stop doing that.”
St. Louis Cardinals | Record prediction: 75-87 (fifth)
SS Masyn Winn brings home hardware: Last season, Winn earned recognition as a Gold Glove finalist but missed out on the award. According to Baseball Savant, he ranked in the 95th percentile for arm strength and 84th percentile for defensive range, measured by outs above average, in 2024. His 2.4 defensive WAR was the highest among shortstops last season.
At just 23, Winn has exceptional defensive skills that might lead to him capping off the season with an award.
