(670 The Score) The Cubs' quest to reach the playoffs has taken a big hit in the past week, as they're riding a five-game losing streak and were swept by the Diamondbacks over the weekend in a series that carried big postseason implications.
The Cubs now have a 53.5% chance to reach the playoffs, according to Baseball Reference. That figure has declined by 37.2% in the past week. Entering play Tuesday, the Cubs (78-72) and Reds (79-73) were tied for the third and final National League wild-card berth. They each sat a half-game below the Diamondbacks (who hold the second wild-card spot) and a half-game above the Marlins and two games clear of the Giants. The Diamondbacks, Reds and Marlins each hold the tiebreaker over the Cubs.
Fangraphs' playoffs odds are even less favorable for Chicago, giving the Cubs a 46.2% chance to make the playoffs.
Playing into the Cubs' favor is that they have a six-game homestand against subpar teams beginning Tuesday evening. Chicago will host Pittsburgh (70-80) for three games before hosting Colorado (56-94) for three more. The Cubs close the season against a pair of playoff-bound teams in the MLB-best Braves and NL Central-leading Brewers, but those teams could also rest a few players as well with the postseason looming.
It's the schedule that gives Jon Heyman of the New York Post and MLB Network confidence that the Cubs will reach the playoffs.
"They had a 92% chance to be in the playoffs at one point," Heyman said on the Mully & Haugh Show on Tuesday morning.
"The schedule does seem to favor them. I know they don't have the tiebreaker over any of the other teams, except San Francisco, which I don't think they're getting in. So over the key teams, they do not (have the tiebreaker). But Pittsburgh and Colorado coming in, it is in their hands. No excuses now. Pittsburgh and Colorado, you probably couldn't ask for a much better schedule than that unless you're in the American League and you're playing Kansas City and Oakland. That should do it, in my opinion. Even though it's 46%, I think it's better than 50-50 (for the Cubs)."
