Chicago Cubs 2024 record: 83-79 Second place, NL Central Team ERA: 3.78 (10th in MLB) Team OPS: .710 (13th in MLB) What Went Right The Cubs played better than their so-so record indicates, as their pythagorean record based on run differential suggests they should have gone 88-74.
Ultimately you got nothing for that, but it does suggest that more went right for the Cubs than you might think. Shota Imanaga was the “other” pitcher from Japan that signed in the offseason, but he was able to compile a 15-3 record, 2.91 ERA and 174/28 K/BB in a season that would make him a Rookie of the Year favorite in many seasons.
He, Jameson Taillon and Justin Steele -- when healthy -- combined to give the Cubs a strong top-three in the rotation, with a solid season from Javier Assad behind them. The offense wasn’t quite as good as the starters, but certainly had some bright spots as well. Seiya Suzuki was (somewhat quietly) an excellent option in 2024 with an .
848 OPS, 21 homers and 16 stolen bases over 132 games. Ian Happ led Chicago with 25 roundtrippers and added 13 thefts, and Dansby Swanson added 16 home runs with 19 stolen bases while playing some of the best defense at the shortstop position. There wasn’t a superstar performance from the Cubs in 2024, but outside of a couple of positions at most, there was solid production throughout from a team that only has one regular on the other side of 30 (Swanson).
What Went Wrong Even with some solid performances, the lack of a spectacul.
