The Leadoff Man

Cubs fans, it’s time for a reality check. A disheartening sweep at the hands of the Cleveland Guardians has pushed the Cubs further away from their playoff dreams. Entering the season, hopes were high even with projections of 81-84 wins. But as of today, Fangraphs projects the Cubs to finish just around 80-82 wins. I thought we were a 90+ win team… or at least I hoped we would be.

With each mistake on the field, the door to October closes a little more. And yet, as always, hope remains—for some of us, it’s all we have left.

Cubs' Costly Errors are the Difference Between Contending and Mediocre

Good teams capitalize on mistakes—this season, the Cubs are making too many. 

Suzuki’s struggles in right field have been noticeable, but it’s important to acknowledge his recent success at the plate. Rumors suggest that with Cody Bellinger back at full strength, Suzuki might transition to the designated hitter role, which could play to his strengths. While Paredes’ costly errors at third in Cleveland and Nico Hoerner’s baserunning blunder to end the game are concerning, Suzuki’s recent hitting surge is a bright spot. T

hese mistakes are the difference between a playoff-contending team and one that hovers around .500, but if the Cubs can tighten up their defense and continue to capitalize on their offensive strengths, there’s still hope to salvage the season. Let’s not forget to celebrate the positives, like Seiya’s improvement at the plate, even as we recognize the areas that need work.

The Odds: Cubs' Playoff Chances Plunge After Cleveland Sweep

The Cubs’ playoff odds have taken a significant hit after the Cleveland series. 

Before the series, the Cubs had a 9.5% chance to make the playoffs. As of today, that number has plummeted to just 3.3%. The odds of winning the division dropped from 2.8% to 1.1%, and clinching a Wild Card spot went from 6.7% to a mere 2.2%.

Cubs' Place in the Standings—A Tough Climb Ahead

The Cubs are now 10.5 games back in the division, with only a 3.3% chance to make the playoffs. 

The Brewers lead the division with a 93.6% chance of making the playoffs, and the Cardinals are right behind them, nine games back but still with a 14.3% chance. The Cubs’ recent 8-2 run gave fans a glimmer of hope, but with the Pirates and Reds still hanging around, every game counts more than ever. If the Cubs want to turn their season around, they need to start closing the gap now.

The Closer

As the Blue Jays come to town this weekend, the Cubs find themselves in a must-win situation. A sweep is no longer a hopeful outcome but a necessity. If the Cubs don’t pull off three wins, their playoff hopes might as well be dust in the wind. The season is on the line, and the Cubs must rise to the challenge or face the harsh reality of yet another year without October baseball.

It’s now or never—let’s see if this team has what it takes to fight back.