The Chicago Cubs are closing out their 2025 regular season with a series against the St. Louis Cardinals in Chicago, and the news couldn’t be better for fans: Kyle Tucker is returning to the lineup. Tucker, who missed nearly all of September with a calf injury, confirmed he will play against the Cardinals, giving the Cubs a major boost heading into the postseason.
Tucker, 28, was acquired from the Houston Astros in the offseason and has been a key piece of the Cubs’ offense. This season, he’s hitting .270 with 22 home runs, 73 RBIs, 132 hits, and an .853 OPS. Among Cubs hitters with significant at-bats, only Moises Ballesteros has a higher OPS, showing just how important Tucker is to the lineup.
The Cubs will face the San Diego Padres in the Wild Card round, and Tucker’s return means he won’t be starting the playoffs rusty. Instead, he’ll have a few games to shake off the layoff before the games really matter. His presence strengthens Chicago’s chances to secure home-field advantage, as a win in the final series would lock in the fourth seed in the National League.
Tucker’s return is also notable because he’ll be a free agent at the end of the year. While there’s uncertainty about whether he’ll re-sign, having him in the lineup now gives the Cubs a major postseason weapon regardless of what happens after the season.
The Cubs originally traded Cam Smith and Isaac Paredes to Houston for Tucker. While both players have contributed for the Astros, Houston is on the verge of missing the playoffs, highlighting the impact of Tucker’s acquisition for Chicago.
With the regular season winding down and the playoffs looming, Tucker’s return couldn’t have come at a better time. Fans will be excited to see him take the field against the Cardinals as the Cubs begin the final stretch before October baseball.