As we head down the final 2 games of the season, here is what the Cubs, and their competitors for playoff positioning are facing.
Yikes…what a miserable day for the Cubs, getting swept in a windy, rainy double-header in Boston. The only good thing is that it was also somewhat miserable for the Phillies and Padres. All of the presumptive NL Wild Card teams were beaten, leaving things open for the top spot and final spot for at least another day.
The Diamondbacks are on a roll, now only 1 game back of the Phillies, and they own the tiebreaker. Unfortunately for them, their big money pitcher, Corbin Burnes, is back on the IL, and they will need to find some pitching today against the Padres.
The crazy thing is that with two games remaining (and only one for the Cubs) all scenarios for the top 3 spots are still up for grabs, except the Diamondbacks can only get the 6th spot.
Current Wild Card Standings
| Team | W | L | GB | Magic # | Elim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| *Padres | 89 | 71 | – | 0 | – |
| *Cubs | 88 | 73 | 1.5 | 0 | – |
| Phillies | 87 | 73 | 2 | 2 | – |
| Diamondbacks | 86 | 74 | 3 | – | 2 |
*Clinched a Wild Card Berth
| Team | Proj W | Proj L | ROS W% | SoS | Make Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Padres | 90.0 | 72.0 | .517 | .517 | 100% |
| Cubs | 88.5 | 73.5 | .521 | .534 | 100% |
| Phillies | 88.0 | 74.0 | .505 | .531 | 68.8% |
| Diamondbacks | 87.0 | 75.0 | .543 | .516 | 31.2% |
Tiebreakers:
Cubs over Padres
Cubs over Phillies
Cubs over Diamondbacks
Phillies over Padres
Diamondbacks over Phillies
Padres / Diamondbacks TBD (5-5 with 3 games left)
Padres Schedule
Vs Diamondbacks (2)
Opponent something to play for: Yes
Possible Pitching Matchups
9/26 – Buehler vs TBD
9/27 – TBD vs Soroka
Notes: The big question for the hot Diamondbacks is who they send out to the mound tonight. The Padres can wrap up the top Wild Card seed with a win, and make their game, and the Cubs game on Sunday, somewhat meaningless.
Cubs schedule
At Red Sox (1) in Tampa
Opponent something to play for: No (locked into 5th spot in AL)
Possible pitching matchups:
9/27 – TBD vs TBD
Notes: What a disappointment. Being swept in a double-header to a Red Sox team playing for nothing is a bad look, and leaves the Cubs on the precipice of having to travel for the Wild Card series. Odds are high that they will be going to San Diego, but there is still a small chance they could go to Philadelphia or Atlanta.
Phillies Schedule
Vs Rays (2)
Opponent something to play for: No
Possible Pitching Matchups
9/26 – TBD vs Jax
9/27 – Wheeler vs Martinez
Notes: The Phillies could still host the Wild Card or might not make it at all. They need to figure out who will be pitching tonight, as Wheeler, Sanchez and Nola are all unavailable. If they clinch today, they would not pitch Wheeler tomorrow. But if he is needed, he would need to go on short rest in the Wild Card.
Diamondbacks Schedule
At Padres (2)
Opponent something to play for: Yes
Possible Pitching Matchups:
9/26 – TBD vs Buehler
9/27 – Soroka vs TBD
Notes: Can the Diamondbacks stay alive for one more day? They need a win or a Phillies loss to take it to the final day.
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