Chicago Cubs 2023 MLB Season Predictions: Record, Team MVP, Breakout Candidate

The staff at Inside the Cubs takes a shot at predicting the Chicago Cubs season record, team MVP, and other accolades.

Kade Kistner | Mar 29, 2023

Chicago Cubs 2023 MLB Season Predictions: Record, Team MVP, Breakout Candidate /

In this story:

Chicago Cubs

It's Baseball Eve! At least that's what we like to call it here around Inside the Cubs. Opening Day is nearly upon us.

As such, we thought it pertinent, if not fun, to try and make a few predictions. Of course you can always refer to this at the end of the season to tell us just how right (or more likely wrong) we were here at the end of March!

Season Record Prediction:

Kade Kistner: 82-80

I really like what the Chicago Cubs have done this offseason in their additions of Dansby Swanson, Jameson Taillon, and Trey Manicni to name a few. But perhaps more impressive has been the emergence of starter Hayden Wesneski, Nick Madrigal's health, and the hope of what Nico Hoerner is blossoming into it.

The Cubs will take some steps forward this season, even as potential contenders. I am predicting they break that .500 threshold.

Andy Jasner: 85-77

Ryan Sikes: 79-83

Home Run Leader:

Kade Kistner: The entire staff was unanimous on this one: Patrick Wisdom.

It's easy to see why, Wisdom has the most pure power of any player on the roster and hit 25 home runs in 2022 over the course of 469 at-bats. Add in another 100 at-bats this season and that total could push north of 30.

The only issue is Wisdom finding playing time around the diamond this season.

Andy Jasner: Patrick Wisdom

Ryan Sikes: Patrick Wisdom

Breakout Candidate:

Kade Kistner: Give me Hayden Wesneski all day long. I am on that hype train, heck, you can even call me the conductor. He was incredible all spring, completely flipped the script on the rotation competition, and will now start the season as the team's fifth starter.

However, he is so talented it wouldn't surprise me to see him be the third most productive and effective starter in the rotation.

He is a star.

Andy Jasner: Jameson Taillon

Ryan Sikes: Hayden Wesneski

Team MVP:

Kade Kistner: I am going a little different route here than the rest of the staff and taking Ian Happ. Yes, shortstop Dansby Swanson is the new shiny thing around the North Side, and no, I am not worried about his spring. That being said, Happ is consistent and wants to build off of what was a career year in 2022 in which he became an All-Star and Gold Glover.

I think he does it. And I also think that is probably just enough to edge out Swanson who the honor of Team MVP.

Andy Jasner: Dansby Swanson

Ryan Sikes: Dansby Swanson

More From SI's Inside The Cubs

Make sure to follow Inside the Cubs on Twitter!

Published Mar 29, 2023

KADE KISTNER

Kade Kistner is the publisher and beat writer for Sports Illustrated's Inside the Cubs. An alumnus of Tulane University, Kade graduated in 2017 with a degree in Latin American Studies and a minor in Spanish. Upon graduation, Kade commissioned into the United States Navy and attended Naval Flight School in Pensacola, Fl. He served as a Naval Aviator and was stationed in Jacksonville, Fl. During his time in school and the Navy, Kade began covering the MLB and NFL with USA Today, SB Nation, and Sports Illustrated. Kade covered the New Orleans Saints, Texas Rangers, and numerous other teams within the Sports Illustrated network before launching Inside the Phillies, Inside the Astros, and Inside the Cubs. You can follow him on Twitter at @KadeKistner, or if you have any questions or comments he can be reached via email at kwkistner@gmail.com.