We’re almost a third of the way through the season and I started this conversation with a buddy over the weekend and wanted to pick it up here.
Specifically we’re talking about the 2016 Cubs vs. the 2025 Cubs regular season only. And more specifically it’s about what club was more fun.
Obviously 2016 has some crazy milestones notwithstanding the World Series. But limiting to just the regular season, I think it’s a valid comparison through almost 50 games. Again – not saying this is a World Series team right now or even trying to have that postseason competition.
Stay within the first 47 games and a couple quick observations:
- The 2016 Cubs were 33-14 and thus 5 games better than the 2025 Cubs at 28-19
- Comparatively I think it’s easy to say the 2016 Cubs are a better team on paper. They’ve got more dominant starting pitching. More power hitting. The near unanimous MVP. More depth and a better group of veterans.
- The 2016 Cubs played 24 division games in their first 47 while the 2025 Cubs will play just 6
- The 2025 Cubs played one of the hardest schedules in baseball history to open the month and that drastically adds to our own enjoyment
- Joe Maddon and Craig Counsell couldn’t be more opposite managers
What I’m enjoying about the 2025 team is that I didn’t expect a lot the success we’ve had. So many players and circumstances have so far widely exceeded what we hoped for:
- Carson Kelly
- Dansby since moving down the lineup
- Michael Busch trade
- Kyle Tucker is sensational
- PCA is a legit MVP candidate
- Seiya Suzuki is a $19,000,000 bargain
Comparatively the 2016 team had so many expectations coming off a 2015 NLCS and that’s probably the biggest difference. You expected the 2016 team to win every game whereas a lot of us are waiting for the 2025 club to slow down. But it doesn’t appear to be coming any time soon and that’s the most amazing part of this club.
2nd biggest thing is PCA and how good he is through almost 50 games. KB won 29 of 30 1st place votes for the MVP award with 7.5bWAR and Pete is on pace for 10.0 just for comparison purposes.
So while I don’t mean to be blasphemous or even suggest 2025 is a better club at this point. I think it’s fair to at least say this year feels more fun or a different level of fun for a couple reasons and that’s only getting more serious as the series victories stack up.
With that in mind, a new episode of Monday Morning Cubs show with my buddy Mahoney is out now. Go check it out: