Cubs Kyle Tucker gives eye-opening response on return to Houston

The Chicago Cubs picked up a crucial win over the St. Louis Cardinals today amid a somewhat middling stretch. The NL Central leaders currently sit at 48-33 and are at least three games up on every other team in the division. 

While that record is still encouraging, the Cubs had only won two out of their past seven games going into today’s clash, allowing teams like the Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers to close the gap. Chicago will start a series against another hot team, the Houston Astros, tomorrow night in right fielder Kyle Tucker’s return. 

The three-time All-Star was traded from the Astros to the Cubs this past offseason and has lived up to the hype so far. Tucker has been one of the best players in the National League in 2025, recording a .291 batting average with 16 home runs and 49 RBI. But the 28-year-old made himself a household name in Houston and is anticipating a certain fan reaction upon his first game back. 

In an interview with MLB.com’s Cubs reporter Jordan Bastian, Tucker gave an honest answer on the expected warm response he’ll receive from Astros fans. 

“It’d be nice,” Tucker said. “We had a lot of success over there for however long. I had a lot of great years and great memories over there, so I’m looking forward to being back in Houston, and just kind of playing the series. It’ll be fun. It’ll be a good experience. 

Obviously, the first time back, so it’ll be cool to see the guys and catch up with them. But, we’re also there to play against them, so I’m a little more focused on that.”

Despite his success, Tucker is at a crossroads with the Cubs, as he is in the last year of his current contract. The new deal for the star outfielder could be worth upwards of $500 million. Therefore, the Cubs front office has some significant decisions to make before the trade deadline on July 31, because there is a team out there perfectly willing to give Tucker that kind of contract. 

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