The Chicago Cubs have had a rollercoaster first half of the season, filled with both highs and lows. As an expert commentator, I think it's fascinating to see the team's journey so far, and I'm here to share my insights and opinions on the Cubs' performance. From devastating injuries to incredible stretches of play, the Cubs have certainly kept fans on the edge of their seats. Let's dive into the awards and highlights from the first half, and explore what the second half might hold for this team.
MVP: Pete Crow-Armstrong
In my opinion, the Cubs' MVP is undoubtedly Pete Crow-Armstrong. The 24-year-old center fielder has been a bona fide superstar, silencing doubters and answering questions about his overall game. Crow-Armstrong has drastically improved his plate discipline, more than doubling his walk rate, and he's still hitting for power and stealing bases. He's also arguably the best defensive player in the game, regardless of position. His Baseball Savant page is filled with red, and his $115 million extension with the Cubs might be an absolute steal for the team. I think the sky is the limit for him, and he's certainly giving Shohei Ohtani a run for his money in the MVP conversation.
Cy Young: Ben Brown
Another standout player is Ben Brown, a right-handed pitcher who has had a breakout season. Brown started the year as an effective reliever, then moved into the rotation with all the injuries and performed even better. His 2.2 WAR leads all Cubs pitchers, and his 1.70 ERA and 0.90 WHIP in 8 starts are impressive. While it's unknown whether Brown will pitch again in 2026, he's under team control for four more seasons and should be a big part of the Cubs' pitching staff moving forward.
Best Newcomer: Ryan Rolison
Speaking of relievers, Ryan Rolison has been a savior in the bullpen. The 29-year-old southpaw was picked up off waivers from the White Sox in January, and he's tied for third behind only Webb and Milner in games on the Cubs' pitching staff. Rolison has a 2.80 ERA and 1.30 WHIP with 1 save, 3 holds, and 5 wins out of the bullpen, and he's been a huge piece of the team's early success.
Silver Slugger: Pete Crow-Armstrong
Crow-Armstrong also leads the team in most offensive categories and has made huge strides over his breakout 2025 season. His batting average is up 44 points year over year, his on-base percentage is up a whopping 99 points, his slugging percentage is up 50 points, and his .917 OPS is stellar. It's no wonder he's a strong contender for the Silver Slugger award.
Gold Glove: Pete Crow-Armstrong
Crow-Armstrong won a Gold Glove last season, and he looks well on his way to taking it home again this year. On any other team, Dansby Swanson would be a lock for the Gold Glove, but his below-average offensive season to date (96 OPS+) is offset by his spectacular defense at shortstop. Crow-Armstrong's defense is simply unmatched, and he's a strong contender for the award.
Biggest Surprise: Pitching Injuries and Nico Hoerner's Slump
As I thought through the first half of the Cubs' season, the pitching injuries clearly stood out as a wild occurrence. Even Cubs players and staffers have acknowledged they've never seen anything quite like this before. The Cubs built up plenty of pitching depth in the offseason, but it still wasn't enough. I also found myself thinking a lot about Nico Hoerner's slump, which is confounding. Hoerner had a .285 combined batting average from 2021-25, but this year he's sitting at .233 entering the break. His expected batting average based on batted ball data is .284, which ranks in the top 10% of MLB. The team needs a big second half from Hoerner, who is still a valuable asset to the team.
Best NBA Jam 'ON FIRE!' Performance: Dansby Swanson
Dansby Swanson had an incredible stretch of 10 games, setting a Cubs record with 8 homers and 26 RBI. His season OPS jumped over a hundred points in the process, and his performance was truly remarkable. It's no wonder he's a strong contender for the 'ON FIRE!' award.
Toughest Loss: 9-8 vs. CHW (May 17)
The loss to the White Sox on the South Side in the series finale seemed to pack a lot of pain. It hurt for the fanbase, as the Crosstown Series is always good for friendly (or not-so-friendly) banter between Cubs and Sox fans. And that Sunday victory ensured the White Sox won the first edition of the Crosstown Series. It was also in the midst of a difficult time for the Cubs, as it was the second defeat in a devastating 10-game losing streak as the Cubs were playing at their worst in the season.
Best Walk-Off: May 4 over CIN
The Cubs have a whopping 10 walk-offs entering the break, and the game on May 4 may take the cake as the best. The Reds jumped out to a 3-0 lead, but the Cubs tied it with a rally in the 4th inning. Before the crowd could even catch its breath, pinch-hitter Michael Conforto drove an opposite-field homer into the bleachers to give the Cubs an exhilarating 5-4 victory. It was a thrilling moment for the team and the fans.
Best First-Half Stat: Pete Crow-Armstrong's 34-Game Stretch
Pete Crow-Armstrong compiled arguably the best 34-game stretch of any player EVER in baseball history. His performance in that span was truly remarkable, and it sets the stage for an exciting second half. What will the second half have in store for the Cubs? Only time will tell, but I'm excited to see what's in store for this team.
