Cubs Edge Closer to Playoffs Despite Nationals Loss
The Chicago Cubs' quest for a playoff berth took an interesting turn this weekend. While the Cubs suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat against the Washington Nationals on Saturday at Wrigley Field, their postseason aspirations received a boost thanks to the San Francisco Giants.
After a dominant offensive performance on Friday, the Cubs' bats went cold on Saturday, managing only one run. Carson Kelly's RBI groundout provided the sole score for Chicago. Starting pitcher Matthew Boyd delivered a solid performance, allowing two earned runs in seven innings, but the offense couldn't capitalize.
Giants' Loss Helps Cubs' Playoff Chances
Entering Saturday, the Cubs' magic number to clinch a playoff berth stood at 13. This number decreases with each Cubs victory or losses by their rivals. With the Cubs' loss, their playoff hopes rested on the performance of other teams, particularly the San Francisco Giants, who are currently the first team outside of the wild card picture.
The Giants faced the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday, and a San Francisco loss would reduce the Cubs' magic number. Fortunately for Chicago, the Giants fell 3-2 to the Cardinals, bringing the Cubs' magic number down to 12.
NL Central Race Appears Out of Reach
The NL Central title seems increasingly unlikely for the Cubs. The Milwaukee Brewers continued their winning ways on Saturday, extending their lead over Chicago to 6.5 games. With no remaining head-to-head matchups between the two teams, the Cubs would need a significant Brewers slump to have a chance at the division crown.
Looking Ahead to the Playoffs
The Cubs are aiming to return to the playoffs for the first time since the COVID-shortened 2020 season, when they won the NL Central. That appearance capped a successful run of five playoff berths in six seasons, highlighted by the historic 2016 World Series championship, the franchise's first in over a century.
- Magic Number to Clinch Playoff Berth: 12
- Chicago Cubs Games Remaining: 19