Chicago Cubs and NL Central Outlook Ahead of 2026 Home Opener
The Chicago Cubs will open the 2026 season at Wrigley Field on Thursday, March 26, against the Washington Nationals. The first pitch is scheduled for 1:20 pm CT.
Sportsbooks are expected to list Chicago as a modest home favorite. This reflects both the typical Wrigley Field advantage but also an optimistic feeling surrounding the offseason. Early-season pitching volatility could cause some frustration, but most oddsmakers have the team looking to make a strong run towards winning the NL Central.
Current Odds
To Win the World Series: Range from +1800 to 2500
To Win the NL Central: +1800
Over/Under Wins: 88.5
NL Central Current Odds and Overview
Chicago Cubs
Win Total O/U: 88.5 | Division Odds: +115
The Cubs enter 2026 as the clear betting favorites to win their first full-season division title since 2017. The headline of their offseason was the massive signing of Alex Bregman, who fills the long-vacant leadership and offensive void at third base.
The Case for the Over: A lineup featuring Bregman, Seiya Suzuki, and a maturing Pete Crow-Armstrong is arguably the deepest in the division. If Michael Busch repeats his 2025 breakout, this team could Sleepwalk to 90 wins.
Betting Angle: Betting markets and sweepstakes online casinos have pushed this total to 88.5, the highest for the Cubs in years. However, their pitching rotation is projected in the bottom third of the league for WAR. If the offense regresses even slightly, they may struggle to cover this high number.
Milwaukee Brewers: The “Don’t Count Us Out” Crew
Win Total O/U: 85.5 | Division Odds: +240
Milwaukee traded away Freddy Peralta this winter, causing many to claim the “Brew Crew” era was over. Yet, the betting markets still respect them. Why? Because they simply refuse to lose.
Betting Angle: The Brewers have exceeded their preseason win total in four of the last five years. At +240, they offer the best “value” for those who don’t trust the Cubs’ hype. AGA report shows that most bettors 31-40 years old have taken up a large portion of the baseball betting market.
Cincinnati Reds: The Francona Factor
Win Total O/U: 81.5 | Division Odds: +375
Terry Francona is back in the dugout, and that alone has shifted the Reds’ floor. While the roster is young, the addition of Eugenio Suárez brings a veteran power presence back to Great American Ball Park.
Betting Angle: The offense ranked 24th in wRC+ last year. Unless Elly De La Cruz cuts his strikeout rate, this team might be too “boom or bust” for a division title bet.
Pittsburgh Pirates: The Paul Skenes Show
Win Total O/U: 77.5 | Division Odds: +750
The Pirates are the most improved team on paper. They finally opened the checkbook to bring in Marcell Ozuna and Ryan O’Hearn to support reigning NL Cy Young winner Paul Skenes.
Betting Angle: Over 77.5 wins. The Pirates won 71 games last year with an abysmal offense. With Ozuna and Lowe in the lineup, a 7-win improvement feels like a conservative estimate.
St. Louis Cardinals: The Great Reset
Win Total O/U: 69.5 | Division Odds: +3500
It’s officially “Rebuild Season” in St. Louis. After trading away franchise icons Nolan Arenado and Willson Contreras, the Cardinals are looking toward 2028.
Betting Angle: Take the Under. While 69.5 is a low bar for a historic franchise, this roster is built for scouting, not winning games in 2026.
Cubs Opening Day History
The franchise that became the Cubs predates the National League itself, and their Opening Day story begins long before Wrigley Field existed or the name “Cubs” took hold in 1902. In the late 19th century at West Side Park, early home openers helped establish Chicago as a powerhouse, culminating in the 1907 and 1908 seasons when the club paired early home success with back-to-back World Series titles. The 1908 home opener against the Cincinnati Reds, a 7–3 win before 18,000 fans, offered an early-season snapshot of a dynasty that would haunt generations of fans after the championship ran dry for more than a century.
The post Chicago Cubs and NL Central Outlook Ahead of 2026 Home Opener appeared first on ChiCitySports.
Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/chicago-cubs-and-nl-central-outlook-ahead-of-2026-home-opener/
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