3 Chicago Cubs storylines to watch for during the second half of the season

The second half of the Chicago Cubs 2023 season begins on Friday night as the team will host the Boston Red Sox at Wrigley Field.

Entering the second half of the season, the Cubs are five games under the .500 mark on the season and 7 games behind the Cincinnati Reds for first place in the National League Central Division.

Unlike the previous two seasons where it was clear that the Cubs were going to be sellers at the Major League Baseball Trade Deadline as they started the second half of the season, the Cubs, this season, are at a crossroads.

The belief is that the Cubs' front office wants to buy at the deadline but the team is in need of stringing together consistency on the field. The Cubs did go 4-3 on their final road trip of the first half as they split a four-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers and won a road series against the New York Yankees for the first time in franchise history.

The second half of the season will be very telling for the Cubs and there will be plenty of storylines to follow.

3 Chicago Cubs Storylines to follow in the second half of the season - What will the team do at the MLB Trade Deadline?

The Cubs are going to be one of the more fascinating teams to watch as the deadline approaches.

If the Cubs decide to sell, they have pieces in starting pitchers Marcus Stroman, Kyle Hendricks, and Drew Smyly that could provide value for the team as they look to add pieces for a contention window that will open in earnest in 2024. Center fielder Cody Bellinger likely would be coveted as well given the offensive resurgence he has had this season.

If the Cubs are buyers, the team truly does have an opportunity to announce to the division and Major League Baseball that they are back. The Cubs have the prospect depth to acquire cost-controlled talent and that could be the path the team takes with a successful start to the second half of the season.