Cubs’ Slim Playoff Hopes Hang by a Thread: What’s Next?

The Leadoff Man

The Cubs’ season isn’t over yet, but their path to October is as narrow as it gets. With a record of 56-60, they sit in fifth place in the NL Central. The silver lining? They have one of the easiest schedules remaining. However, their chances of making the postseason are slim, with Fangraphs giving them just a 6.0% chance. As they prepare for a crucial series against the White Sox, the Cubs know that every game counts. Can they pull off the improbable? It’s a long shot, but stranger things have happened in baseball. 

So You're Saying There’s a Chance?

Cubs' playoff hopes are hanging by a thread, with just a 6.0% chance of making the postseason. 

As of now, the Cubs are 56-60 and sit in fifth place in the NL Central. According to Fangraphs and Baseball Reference, the team has a 2.9% chance to win the division, a 3.1% chance to clinch a Wild Card spot, and a mere 0.2% chance to win the World Series. These numbers aren’t exactly encouraging, but there’s a glimmer of hope.

The Cubs have one of the easiest schedules remaining in the season. They will face several struggling teams, which could provide the opportunity to gain some much-needed ground in the standings. However, even with a favorable schedule, the Cubs will need to play nearly flawless baseball to make a serious run at the postseason. Every game will be crucial, and even the smallest mistakes could be the difference between making the playoffs and packing it in for the winter. It’s a steep uphill battle, but with baseball, you never know until it’s over.

What’s Next for the Cubs

The Cubs face the White Sox this weekend in a must-win series. 

The Sox have been abysmal, winning just one of their last 22 games, making them one of the worst teams in MLB history. This series is an opportunity for the Cubs to pick up some vital wins, but they can't afford to take their cross-town rivals lightly.

On Friday, August 9th, Jameson Taillon takes the mound against Garrett Crochet, with the Cubs holding a 43.8% chance to win. Saturday’s matchup is more favorable, with Justin Steele facing Chris Flexen, giving the Cubs a 63.0% chance to secure a victory. The Cubs will need to capitalize on these games to keep their faint postseason hopes alive.

With an off-day on Sunday, it’s crucial for the Cubs to head into next week with momentum. Winning these two games could set the tone for the rest of the season, while any slip-ups could be the nail in the coffin for our playoff chances.

What’s it Going to Take to Make the Postseason?

To keep their postseason hopes alive, the Cubs must go 9-2 over their next 11 games. 

The path starts this weekend with a sweep of the White Sox, which is crucial given the Sox’s struggles. Following that, the Cubs will need to win 2 of 3 on the road against Cleveland from August 12-14, then return to Wrigley to take on Toronto, where they’ll need another 2 of 3 to stay in the hunt. The final push will be a home sweep of the Detroit Tigers from August 20-22.

This stretch of games is vital. A 9-2 run is certainly feasible given the Cubs’ opponents, but it will require top-notch performances from both the offense and pitching staff. The Cubs will need to stay focused and avoid any mental lapses. If they can navigate this stretch successfully, they’ll be in a much better position to make a legitimate run toward the postseason. It’s a tall order, but the Cubs have shown flashes of brilliance this season. Now, it’s about putting it all together when it matters most.

The Closer

The Cubs are staring down a challenging but not impossible path to the postseason. With an easy schedule ahead, the opportunity is there, but it will take near-perfect execution. Sweeping the White Sox this weekend is just the beginning. The Cubs will need to continue that momentum through tough series against Cleveland, Toronto, and Detroit.

The question is, can they rise to the occasion? We’ve seen this team defy the odds before, and with their backs against the wall, they might just do it again. As we gear up for this crucial stretch, let’s keep the faith and rally behind our Cubs. Every game is now a must-win, and the postseason dream, though distant, is still alive. Here’s to hoping for a strong finish and maybe, just maybe, a magical run to October.