The Chicago Cubs were one of the busiest teams this offseason, signing eight players to MLB deals, while adding several pitchers on minor league deals. The Cubs are going to have five new players as regulars in their starting lineup if they remain healthy by Opening Day and the bullpen is going to have a new look as well. The Cubs ended the 2022 season with a 74-88 record, finishing the year 39-31 in the second half, but how much closer are they to being a competitive team in the National League again?

While the Cubs were near the top of MLB in free agent signings this winter, there are still many more teams in the National League that are clearly better on paper heading into the 2023 season. Even with an improved roster, oddsmakers are putting their 2023 win total in the mid to upper 70s.

2023 Cubs Win Total

Here is a look at the Cubs 2023 win total from six different sports books. The Cubs’ win total range goes from 75.5 at FanDuel to 78.5 at BetRivers and the Barstool Sportsbook.

FanDuel: 75.5 (-134)
DraftKings: 77.5 (-110)
BetMGM: 77.5 (-110)
Caesars: 78 (-110)
BetRivers: 78.5 (-114)
Barstool: 78.5 (-114)

*As of Feb. 1, 2023

Maybe I’m way too optimistic or think the pitching will be better than the majority of fans, but I’m surprised the Cubs’ win total for 2023 isn’t closer to 80. I would pound the over 75.5 at -134 on FanDuel. I just keep thinking about the 2022 team having Frank Schwindel and Alfonso Rivas playing first base, while the starting rotation was ravished with injuries in the first half.

I know Cody Bellinger has been awful on offense for a couple seasons, but if he is healthy this year, then he’s a huge improvement in center field, especially on defense. Plus, Seiya Suzuki, I think, proved he could make adjustments and if he can be healthy, then he’s primed to be much better this season as well. Hopefully the Cubs don’t have another version of Jonathan Villar or Andrelton Simmons taking up regular starts in 2023, too.

And I’m not saying the Cubs should be viewed as a mid-80 win team, but to me you should smash these over numbers. The best value is with DraftKings and BetMGM, who have the Cubs at 77.5 at -110.

2023 Cubs Winning NL Central Division Odds

The Cubs are viewed as the third-best team in the National League Central, with the Milwaukee Brewers ahead of them and the St. Louis Cardinals as the clear-cut favorites to repeat as division champions.

But if you do really love the Cubs’ chances to surprise us in 2023, bet them to win the division at BetRivers or Barstool, who both have them at +700.

FanDuel: +550
BetMGM: +600
Caesars: +600
DraftKings: +650
PointsBet: +650
BetRivers: +700
Barstool: +700

*As of Feb. 1, 2023

As much as I think the Cubs will be more competitive this year than in 2022, I wouldn’t bet them to win the NL Central. HOWEVER! I would jump on them to make the playoffs.

Cubs to Make Playoffs in 2023 Odds

Caesars: +280
BetRivers: +300
DraftKings: +310
FanDuel: +340

*As of Feb. 1, 2023

We’ll see how the odds move as we get closer to Opening Day.