Looking through all the different 2025 MLB team record projectors that are out there on the internet they all seem the be pretty similar to each other. That being said let’s dive into my thoughts on each National League team’s projected 2025 record.

Here we go, the National League Central Division is probably the one division I know the most about due to my favorite team, the Chicago Cubs, belonging to this division. The Milwaukee Brewers are the defending NL Central Champions from the 2024 season. Do the Brewers repeat or will there be a new team come up and steal the division? The St. Louis Cardinals ended up being the runner up in this division in 2024. The Cardinals always seem to get hot at the right time and make their run towards the division title, but will it be enough to take the division this year? My Chicago Cubs ended up technically coming in third with the same record as the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cubs have made some noise this offseason but can they put it all together to be on top of the NL Central once again? The Cincinnati Reds have been getting better year in and year out, they have a young superstar talent in Elly De La Cruz and veteran savvy players. Could this year be the year it all clicks and the Reds find themselves the NL Central winners? Lastly, The Pittsburg Pirates who is the most intriguing team in the NL Central in my opinion. The Pirates have one of the best pitching prospects we have seen in a long time in Paul Skenes who ended up winning rookie of the year and was in the CY Young voting in his first season. The Pirates have their eyes set on competing and their time may be sooner rather than later.

Chicago Cubs (86-76)

The team I have been looking forward to talking about the most, my Chicago Cubs. The Cubs had an interesting offseason to say the least, they were in on the Juan Soto sweepstakes obviously lost out to the Mets, also had a chance at signing Alex Bregman also lost out on him to the Red Sox, linked to the Japanese star pitcher Roki Sasaki for awhile before losing to the Dodgers (Of Course). Story of being a Chicago Cubs fan, being in the conversation on high profile free agent players just to get outbid because our owner says “We barely break even each year” (Yeah right!). However the Cubs did end up adding some players including: Kyle Tucker (OF), Ryan Pressly (RHP), Eli Morgan (RHP), Matthew Boyd (LHP), and Justin Turner (1B). The Cubs lost some talented players this offseason including: Cody Bellinger (OF), Kyle Hendricks (RHP), Mike Tauchman (OF), Isaac Paredes (3B), Jorge Lopez (RHP, and Hayden Wesneski (RHP). The projectors have the Cubs winnning 86 games this season and I am comfortable with this projection. However, I have this blind faith in this team this year and I believe we will see the Cubs top the 90 win mark this season maybe with a high ceiling of 95 wins (wishful thinking). As always Go Cubs Go!

Milwaukee Brewers (83-79)

The defending NL Central champions the Milwaukee Brewers. The Brewers definitely overachieved last year to say the lest. The Brewers this offseason did end up losing some very talented and key players including: Willy Adames (SS), Devin Williams (RHP), Frankie Montas (RHP), Joe Ross (RHP), Hoby Milner (LHP), Gary Sanchez (C), and Wade Miley (LHP). The Brewers got some players added to their team this offseason including: Nestor Cortes (LHP), Grant Anderson (RHP), Elvin Rodriguez (RHP), Jose Quintana (LHP), and Grant Wolfram (LHP). The Brewers are projected to win 83 games this upcoming season and personally I think that is a pretty good projection. However, with what the Brewers lost compared to what they gained, I think the Brewers might be down around 75 wins this season purely based on their roster. 

Cincinnati Reds (81-81)

The Cincinnati Reds are up next and possibly one of the most underrated teams in baseball. The Reds have one of the most (if not the most) exciting and exhilarating players in the MLB in Elly De La Cruz. The Reds also worked on surrounding this young superstar this offseason with key player additions including: Gavin Lux (2B), Brady Singer (RHP), Nick Martinez (Resign RHP), Jose Trevino (C), Austin Hays (OF), and Scott Barlow (RHP). That being said, the Reds did lose some players that were consistent including: Jonathan India (2B), Joey Weimer (OF), Justin Wilson (LHP), Ty France (1B), Aned Rosario (SS), and Jacob Janis (RHP). The projectors have the Reds with 81 wins on the season. I think this is low for the Reds this year. Hear me out, young superstar talent in De La Cruz, the additions of some veteran players, and being an up and coming team I have the Reds winning 87 wins this year. The Reds are going to be competing for the NL Central this year. 

St. Louis Cardinals (75-87)

On to the bitter rival team, the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals always seem to get hot at the right team every year and sneak into the NL Central contention and playoffs. However this year I believe is going to be a different story, the Cardinal lost players including: Paul Goldschmidt (1B) and Andrew Kittredge (RHP). The Cardinals did not have any key players they signed or gained this offseason. 75 wins is what the projectors are thinking for the Cardinals for this next season. I find this a little high for my liking, give me the Cardinals only getting 70 wins this season. My projection of 70 wins comes from not being able to do anything relevant with the roster for this upcoming year. Sorry Cardinals fans this year is going to hurt. 

Pittsburg Pirates (74-88)

The final team to cover in the NL Central the Pittsburg Pirates. The Pirates definitely intrigue me this upcoming season. This team made some moves this season to add to the roster including: Andrew McCutchen (Resigned DH), Spencer Horwitz (1B), Tommy Pham (OF), Adam Frazier (2B), Emmanuel Valdez (INF/OF), Andrew Heaney (LHP), and Caleb Ferguson (LHP). However the Pirates did end up losing some important players including: Bryan De La Cruz (OF), Connor Joe (1B), Aroldis Chapman (LHP), Luis Ortiz (RHP), and Michael Taylor (OF). Looking at the projections they have the Pirates at 74 wins, I feel this is low for this team this year. Give me the Pirates having 85 wins and putting their hat in for competing for the NL Central. Paul Skenes has another Cy Young caliber year, with McCutchen being the veteran presence to keep the young team on track mixed with the players the Pirates added is a recipe for competing this year mark my words. 

In conclusion, this may be a home team pick but I have to put my Chicago Cubs in the top spot and bringing the NL Central title back to where it belongs in Chicago! The Cubs made some noise in the offseason and mixed with the MLB ready prospects they have I feel they are back to their winning form and bringing home the NL Central title back to Wrigley Field. In second I have the Cincinnati Reds surprising everyone in the division and possibly getting into the playoffs. The Pittsburgh Pirates will not be far behind the Reds this year and narrowly losing out which results in a third place finish in the NL Central this year. Milwaukee Brewers will take the fourth spot, which is something they Brewers definitely are not use to being in recent years. To many talented players lost for the Brewers which makes them slide towards the bottom of the division. Last place I have the St. Louis Cardinals, sorry Cardinal fans (not really), this is going to be a tough year. I see the Cardinals at the trade deadline selling what players they can to start the rebuild.