Where the Cubs Stand On Tiebreaker Scenarios

The Chicago Cubs are certainly in the driver’s seat to head back to the postseason for the second consecutive year. 

The Cubs won’t be making the playoffs as a division winner. The National League Central is practically out of reach, as the Milwaukee Brewers sit 10 games up in the win column with 12 games to play. 

The North Siders’ division title drought will live on for another year. The Brewers will win their fourth straight division title in the next few days. While the Cubs won this division during the shortened 2020 season, they haven’t won the National League Central in a full season since 2017.  

Although the division is out of reach at this point in the year, the Cubs have a good shot to make the playoffs as a Wild Card team. 

The Cubs currently own the top Wild Card spot in the National League. They are currently tied with the Philadelphia Phillies for that top spot. Remember, getting that top Wild Card spot is so important because the top team gets to host the entire three-game series at their home ballpark. 

Last year, the Cubs benefited from this. They hosted the San Diego Padres for a three-game series and went on to win that series (2-1). Having a three-game series at home in front of the Wrigley crowd is crucial for Chicago to move on to the next round. 

The good news for the Cubs is that they own the tiebreaker over the Phillies. The North Siders went 6-1 against the Phillies this season, which really gives them the edge for that top Wild Card spot right now. 

The Cubs are also holding onto a two-game lead over the Padres. San Diego currently owns the third Wild Card spot and has slowly closed the deficit for that top Wild Card spot. The Padres have the third-best record in baseball since August 1. 

But the Cubs have the tiebreaker over the Padres. The North Siders went 5-1 against San Diego this season. That means the Padres have to make up three games over the next two weeks to overtake Chicago. 

Then, there’s the Arizona Diamondbacks. 

The only way Chicago misses the playoffs is if the Phillies, Padres, and Diamondbacks take all three Wild Card spots. The Cubs, though, have a sizeable lead for a Wild Card spot right now. They are up four games on Arizona for one of those Wild Card spots. 

Since the Cubs also own the tiebreaker over the Diamondbacks, Arizona has to make up five games in order to overtake them. 

Having the tiebreaker over the Phillies, Padres, and Diamondbacks gives the Cubs a clear advantage to host that Wild Card series at Wrigley Field.