MLB Win Total Betting: How Many Games Will Cubs Win in 2024?

After a heartbreaking final month to the season, the Chicago Cubs are looking for a return to the MLB playoffs this season by improving their win total from a year ago.

What is the Chicago Cubs' win total set at for 2024, per the MLB win totals at FanDuel Sportsbook?

The Cubs' win total is listed at 83.5.

Let's dig into what we can expect from Chicago this year and which side of the win total should interest you.

All MLB odds come from FanDuel Sportsbook. Lines may change after this article is published. nERD via numberFire. Projections via FanGraphs.

Chicago Cubs Win Total Odds

Chicago Cubs Over/Under 83.5 Wins

• Over: -110
• Under: -110

Why Cubs Could Win Over 83.5 Games (-110)

After missing out on a few major free agents in the offseason, the Chicago Cubs were able to still make some additions that can get them over 83.5 wins this season.

The Cubs have a very talented lineup filled with proven names and young talent who showed flashes last season. Perhaps the most important move they made in the offseason saw them reassuring their lineup. That reassurance came in the form of re-signing Cody Bellinger. The outfielder was the closest he's been to MVP form since 2019 when he won the award as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

FanGraphs projects a big season for the Cubs lineup, which is why it will be what they lean on for much of this season to try and win over 83.5 games. They were in the top 10 last season in wOBA (.326), runs scored (819), stolen bases (140), and walk rate (9.2%). Chicago is projected to have five hitters smash 20 or more homers per FanGraphs; that's not a bad projection to have in a lineup.

Their big addition to the offense is former Dodgers prospect Michael Busch. FanGraphs has ranked him as the 84th best prospect heading into this season, and he'll get his shot to shine for the first time in his career. Busch has 20-plus-home-run power, so he could be another big part of their success on offense.

Depending how the likes of Nico Hoerner and Christopher Morel play this season, this team could take another leap -- which is what we're hoping for when considering the over. It's the lineup that is going to get them there.

The other reason they could win over 83.5 games? New manager Craig Counsell, who left the Milwaukee Brewers in the offseason. Considering he coached the Brewers to the playoffs in five of the last six seasons, it's apparent that he knows how to win in the regular season.

If Counsell can bring what he accomplished with the Brewers over to Chicago, winning over 83.5 games feels very possible -- especially since he's never won less than 86 games in his last six full seasons as manager. In a division like the NL Central, which is lacking actual competition and is wide open, Counsell can very well manage this team to the wins we are hoping for and potentially a division crown.

Why Cubs Could Win Under 83.5 Games (-110)

There's plenty of reasons to believe the Cubs can be under 83.5 wins this season, and it also does start with their lineup.

The lineup is likely to be their solution, but there's still reasons to talk about how it could hurt them. To start, their lineup could underperform this year after they saw it overperform a year ago. There's a lot of questions marks as to what certain players do. Morel has clearly shown he can be a difference-maker, but he's yet to play a full 162 games in the majors. If he can bring his 26 home runs through 107 games last season and get over 30, he will be the difference they need in that lineup.

Dansby Swanson, who was the big signing from an offseason ago, needs to have a better season in his second year in Chicago. While he hit 22 home runs, his batting average and wOBA both were down. With his spot at the top of the lineup, he's got get back to where he was in 2022. Then, there are the uncertainties that fill out the lineup.

Perhaps the biggest reason, however, for them not getting over 83.5 wins is the rotation. There's a lot of uncertainty beyond ace Justin Steele. The Cubs signed Shota Imanaga, bringing over the second big name from Japan this offseason after Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Imanaga showed the ability to make bats swing and miss in spring training, but it remains to be seen what he can do in the majors.

After those two is long time veteran Kyle Hendricks. The righty had a bounce back season last year, posting a 3.74 ERA and 3.81 FIP. If he can stay towards those numbers and avoid going back to his 4.00-plus ERA of the previous two seasons, he can help ease the concerns in the rotation. Jordan Wicks and Javier Assad will close out the rotation with Jameson Taillon injured to start the campaign.

Their bullpen was in the middle of the league last year with a 3.96 SIERA. Their big addition there was Hector Neris, who is coming off a season where he had a 1.71 ERA. Neris can help shore up the back end with closer Adbert Alzolay. It'll be nearly as important as their starting rotation; if they underperform, this Cubs team is going to be under their win total.

It remains to be seen what this team can do this season, but they have the talent to win this division, which would mean they're likely to go over 83.5 wins. FanDuel Sportsbook has the Cubs set with the second-best odds to win the NL Central at +200.

Chicago has what it takes to win over 83.5 games, and they would have last season if they didn't have the massive collapse. They're looking for redemption and a playoff berth this year.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.