Although Counsell’s arrival generated excitement, future market action remains mixed on the Chicago Cubs. Previously, the unfortunate David Ross made methodical baseball betting odds progress as manager of Chicago. Unfortunately, he did not move the needle fast enough. Last year, Ross put the Cubs in playoff contention. They fell just short of the Miami Marlins for wild card playoff position. Ross is expected to return to the Cubs in 2024. Still, when Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell became available, Chicago could not resist. Indeed, Counsell is the best manager in baseball.
2024 Chicago Cubs
| Chicago Cubs World Series Championship | Odds |
|---|---|
| 2024 Chicago Cubs World Series Championship Odds: | +3300 |
2024 Chicago Cubs Manager
Namely, Craig Counsell shocked the baseball world by leaving his hometown team, the Milwaukee Brewers. Especially for their hated online betting arch-rival Chicago Cubs. Counsell put Milwaukee in the playoffs five of the past six seasons with three NL Central Division titles.
2024 Chicago Cubs Key Players
LHP Justin Steele is the Cubs’ number one starter. Steele is coming off a phenomenal 2023 campaign. Las season, Steele was 16-5 with a 3.06 ERA and 1.17 WHIP. As a result of his MLB odds performance, Stele was a National League All-Star.
In sum, RHP Adbert Alzolay is the closer for the Cubs. In 2023, Alzolay was 2-5 with a 2.67 ERA and 1.02 WHIP with 22 saves in 25 opportunities.
Last year, LF Ian Happ produced 86 runs, 325 doubles, 21 home runs, 84 RBI, and a .791 OPS. Happ was a 2022 NL All-Star.
2024 Chicago Cubs Offseason Moves
Key offseason acquisitions: RHP Yency Almonte, INF Michael Busch, LHP Shota Imanaga, RHP Hector Neris
Key offseason departures: OF Cody Bellinger, INF Jeimer Candelario, RHP Marcus Stroman.
Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer felt last season’s team left too many wins on the table. Thus, that analysis played a role in the stunning offseason addition of manager Craig Counsell. Counsell has built a strong reputation for getting the most out of his rosters. Also, Chicago needed to fortify the rotation (Imanaga) and bullpen (Neris). And then they added another Top 100 prospect talent in Busch.
Of great concern hovering around the Cubs as camp opens is whether the team is done making moves to strengthen the roster. There is a sense that Hoyer has another key addition or two up his sleeve. Especially before Opening Day, that could impact the lineup. That looms larger than any of the spring roster battles. Overall, Chicago ranks 9th for MLB payroll.
2024 Chicago Cubs Recap
Overall, in 2023, the Chicago Cubs had a record of 83-79 and finished 2nd in the National League Central Division. Offensively, Chicago ranked 6th for runs scored, 11th for batting average, 8th for OPS, 15th for home runs, and 8th for stolen bases. While defensively, Chicago ranked 14th for earned run average, 16th for WHIP, 14th for strikeouts, 4th for quality starts, 22nd for fewest errors, and 13th for bullpen ERA. Chicago was -398 on the moneyline and +49 on the run line.
Last season, the Chicago Cubs failed to deliver gambling value. Despite making a run at a playoff spot and emerging as a surprise team in the National League. Chicago was a classic example of a team that remains too popular. And thus they were too expensive at the betting window. The fact the Cubs made a tiny profit on the run line exemplifies the issue.