3 Cubs on the upswing and 1 looking for answers after the season-opening roadtrip

After what feels like forever, the Chicago Cubs open their 2025 home schedule this weekend with a matchup against the undefeated San Diego Padres. The Cubs, of course, opened the MLB season against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the two-game Tokyo Series and ground through a seven-game swing through Phoenix and Sacramento to kick off the domestic slate.

Chicago (5-5) clawed its way back to .500 after a monster offensive showing against the Athletics, bouncing back from a gut-punch of a loss in the finale against the Diamondbackcs in resounding fashion. So as the Cubs return home for an early-season test against the Padres, here's a quick look at 3 Cubs who are hot - and 1 who is searching for answers in the early-going.

Who's hot? Kyle Tucker

It may not have been the first impression (fans quickly jumped to conclusions during spring training) but Kyle Tucker has certainly gotten off on the right foot this season. After struggling in Japan, the Cubs outfielder has hit the ground running over the last seven games, slashing .379/.500/.931 with 11 hits (including four doubles and four homers).

His approach at the plate is fascinating because in some at-bats, he jumps all over the first pitch and in others, he's content to work an eight or nine-pitch AB. He's actually drawn more walks (7) than he has strikeouts (6) since returning from Japan and he's showning exactly why Jed Hoyer and the Cubs were fine coming off a prospect like Cam Smith in the trade to get him.

Who's hot? Shota Imanaga

After an emotional start against the Dodgers in his return to Japan where it was clear he wasn't at his best, Shota Imanaga quickly returned to the Cy Young-caliber form that quickly endeared him to fans in his 2024 rookie campaign.

Imanaga fired seven innings of one-run ball against Arizona on March 29 and will get the ball against the Padres on Friday in the Cubs' 2025 home opener. On the year, the southpaw carries a 0.82 ERA and has shown just what made him one of the best pitchers in the league last year, despite being a fly-ball pitcher with fairly average strikeout numbers.

Who's hot? Seiya Suzuki

Woo, boy. Don't let Seiya Suzuki get hot, folks. The Cubs' outfielder/DH went on an absolute heater in Sacramento and is 11-for-32 with an 1.170 OPS since returning from Japan. The hope was that both slotting in as the Cubs' primary DH and hitting behind Kyle Tucker would unlock more opportunities for him and he's making the most of them right now.

He'll need to cut down on the strikeouts (17 Ks in 40 ABs this year) over the long-run, but Suzuki is showcasing the raw power that enticed the Cubs to sign him out of Japan. If he keeps this up, we may be in for a 30-homer campaign from the slugger.

Who's not? Ian Happ

Ian Happ was hot out of the gates, collecting four hits and three RBI in the team's first game of the season, but he's got just three hits in his last six games and there's been a complete lack of power in his swing, evidenced by a season slash line of just .184/.304/.289.

Hopefully his two hits in the series finale against the A's was a sign of things to come. Last year Happ was better against righties than lefties, and he'll get that matchup in Friday's tilt against San Diego. If he can make the most of it and get the home slate off to a strong start, it could help the Cubs weather a rough April schedule.