Marlins (Phillips) vs Cubs (Boyd): 09/24/26, 1:20 PM

[Brock Beauchamp]

Boyd takes the ball for the Cubs against the Marlins at Wrigley Field.

[Brock Beauchamp]

	SAT	SUN	MON	TUE	WED	TOT
Ryan Zeferjahn	24	0	0	13	0	37
Ryan Rolison	5	0	0	25	19	49
Javier Assad	0	0	0	0	2	2
Jacob Webb	0	0	0	0	31	31
Edward Cabrera	0	9	0	24	0	33
Daniel Palencia	20	0	0	11	0	31
Colin Rea	0	8	0	0	13	21
Caleb Thielbar	0	18	0	14	0	32
Aaron Civale	15	0	0	30	0	45

[s2obed]

We need a dub today!!  

[UMFan83]

At this point I'm open to tanking for Atlanta.  Obviously the Cubs need to clinch a postseason spot but after that I'd rather not burn out our pitchers in a grueling 3 games in 24 hours scenario this weekend and now that we don't control our WC1 destiny I'm ok with avoiding going to SD or Philly and avoiding the Brewers until a potential NLCS

[Geographyhater8888]

5 minutes ago, UMFan83 said:

At this point I'm open to tanking for Atlanta.  Obviously the Cubs need to clinch a postseason spot but after that I'd rather not burn out our pitchers in a grueling 3 games in 24 hours scenario this weekend and now that we don't control our WC1 destiny I'm ok with avoiding going to SD or Philly and avoiding the Brewers until a potential NLCS

The 6th seed wouldn’t play the 1 seed?

[Rcal10]

4 minutes ago, Geographyhater8888 said:

The 6th seed wouldn’t play the 1 seed?

No. They don’t reshuffle the order. 3 versus 6 winner gets the 2nd playoff team. 4-5 winner gets the top team. 

[Andy]

7 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

No. They don’t reshuffle the order. 3 versus 6 winner gets the 2nd playoff team. 4-5 winner gets the top team. 

Which is creating a hilarious situation in the AL, guaranteeing one of their lesser playoff teams are in the ALCS while the AL East teams are in a battle royale to get there.

Shades of 2015 when 3 NL Central teams (including us) won 97-plus and had to play each other to reach the NLCS

[Geographyhater8888]

5 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

No. They don’t reshuffle the order. 3 versus 6 winner gets the 2nd playoff team. 4-5 winner gets the top team. 

Right. The 2 seeded Braves played the 6 seeded Phillies in 2022. The rule wasn’t ever relevant to the Cubs until this year so I forgot how seeding worked.

[Rcal10]

6 minutes ago, Geographyhater8888 said:

Right. The 2 seeded Braves played the 6 seeded Phillies in 2022. The rule wasn’t ever relevant to the Cubs until this year so I forgot how seeding worked.

I guess, logistically it is too hard to wait until a series ends to make travel plans. Not so difficult for the 3 and 6 seeded team, but the 4 and 5 seeded team would be at the mercy of who won the 3-6 games. 

[Outshined_One]

32 minutes ago, Andy said:

Shades of 2015 when 3 NL Central teams (including us) won 97-plus and had to play each other to reach the NLCS

As much love as 2016 (deservedly) gets, I feel like 2015 was the most fun Cubs playoff run I've ever seen.  I remember entering the 2015 season with hopes that they'd be in contention at least into September, but hot damn did they catch fire.  Bryant won ROY, Jake was in God Mode, Kyle Schwarber (seemingly) single-handledly ruined Pittsburgh and St. Louis for the next decade+, and once the Cubs reached the NLCS, it was basically like found money at that point.

[UMFan83]

Athletic did a seeding projection based on how the Cubs finish the season.  The most likely outcome at this point is the 6 seed

[17 Seconds]

3 minutes ago, UMFan83 said:

Athletic did a seeding projection based on how the Cubs finish the season.  The most likely outcome at this point is the 6 seed

why do the 0-4 percentages not add up?

[UMFan83]

4 minutes ago, 17 Seconds said:

why do the 0-4 percentages not add up?

I'm sure it's half percentages that round up.  like 4.5% chance of missing the playoffs and 2.5% chance of the 5 seed or something like that.  

[17 Seconds]

Just now, UMFan83 said:

I'm sure it's half percentages that round up.  like 4.5% chance of missing the playoffs and 2.5% chance of the 5 seed or something like that.  

yeah I'm dumb

[gflore34]

Maybe try Shaw at 3b today?  I know he's terrible, etc. but, Ramirez has not been working out.  In fact, it's been abysmal both in the field and at the plate.  I'm suggesting Shaw solely in the spirit of not trying the same thing - Rarmirez - and expecting different results.

[Rcal10]

23 minutes ago, UMFan83 said:

Athletic did a seeding projection based on how the Cubs finish the season.  The most likely outcome at this point is the 6 seed

So because they lost 2 in a row it is most likely they lose out? I would think it is most likely they go 2-2 the last 4 games. Which would put #5 the most likely.

[UMFan83]

BJ Murray was seen arriving to Wrigley with his bags.  I wonder it Taylor is going on the IL.  If you go on the IL and your return date is during a playoff series, can you still be activated?  Because he last played on Saturday, making his earliest return date Game 2 of the WC series.

[Rcal10]

2 minutes ago, UMFan83 said:

BJ Murray was seen arriving to Wrigley with his bags.  I wonder it Taylor is going on the IL.  If you go on the IL and your return date is during a playoff series, can you still be activated?  Because he last played on Saturday, making his earliest return date Game 2 of the WC series.

Damn it. Why does this happen to the Cubs? 

[UMFan83]

1 minute ago, Rcal10 said:

So because they lost 2 in a row it is most likely they lose out? I would think it is most likely they go 2-2 the last 4 games. Which would put #5 the most likely.

Not sure exactly how it works out to be honest but it's close between all the seeds.  All 3 teams are playing against opponents who are either in the playoffs (Boston, Tampa Bay) or still have a shot at the playoffs currently (Arizona).  I guess the difference is the Phillies and San Diego play their final series at home.  I doubt this model is taking into account the unique circumstances of the Cubs series either.

[gflore34]

13 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

Damn it. Why does this happen to the Cubs? 

Seriously, the injury luck/situation this season is beyond comical, there's no one to blame, it's just a perfect storm of bad luck.  I'm still trying to understand why injuries are so prevalent amongst position players in baseball.  Pitchers I can understand, but, position players?  Come on, it's not football, they're not running into each other trying to rip the other's head off.

Edited 2 hours ago by gflore34

[UMFan83]

1 minute ago, Rcal10 said:

Damn it. Why does this happen to the Cubs? 

I'm guessing since Murray is an IF it means they think Taylor's injury (if thats the reason why) is short term.  They would send down Arias who everyone forgets is even on this roster, and Murray would be a PH option these final 4 games. 

[Rcal10]

13 minutes ago, gflore34 said:

Maybe try Shaw at 3b today?  I know he's terrible, etc. but, Ramirez has not been working out.  In fact, it's been abysmal both in the field and at the plate.  I'm suggesting Shaw solely in the spirit of not trying the same thing - Rarmirez - and expecting different results.

Abysmal? I mean, that’s a bit harsh. I know he should have fielded that slow roller to 3rd, but not sure he throws the guy out. As for hitting, on Tuesday he hit 2 balls hard. One was a line out to first. The other was a ball that just missed going through for a GW hit. In Shaw’s 4 AB on Tuesday he looked lost. I do understand they could go with Shaw. But I don’t think he is any more likely to be successful than Ramirez. And I would characterize Ramirez play as abysmal. 

[Rcal10]

6 minutes ago, UMFan83 said:

Not sure exactly how it works out to be honest but it's close between all the seeds.  All 3 teams are playing against opponents who are either in the playoffs (Boston, Tampa Bay) or still have a shot at the playoffs currently (Arizona).  I guess the difference is the Phillies and San Diego play their final series at home.  I doubt this model is taking into account the unique circumstances of the Cubs series either.

OK. This isn’t the same chart you originally sent. I thought you were suggesting it is most likely thrbCubs lose their last 4 games. Now I see this chart and understand why you said what you said. For me, it doesn’t matter if they are 5 or 6. If they aren’t 4 I don’t care if they are 6. Just get in. 4 is still the goal. And if the Cubs can win today and the Phillies lose I would be happy to see Arizona win later. They would have a reason to still play hard against SD. 

[UMFan83]

15 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

OK. This isn’t the same chart you originally sent. I thought you were suggesting it is most likely thrbCubs lose their last 4 games. Now I see this chart and understand why you said what you said. For me, it doesn’t matter if they are 5 or 6. If they aren’t 4 I don’t care if they are 6. Just get in. 4 is still the goal. And if the Cubs can win today and the Phillies lose I would be happy to see Arizona win later. They would have a reason to still play hard against SD. 

If the Cubs win and Phillies lose, Arizona can still lose today and still be alive, I believe their elimination number is 2.  But yeah Arizona winning and being 2 GB the Phillies with 3 left would certainly be more ideal for them playing hard well into the weekend.

[soccer10k]

If the 2026 Cubs have taught me anything, it’s that they generally have a great ability to win the RD battle in a series while still losing 2 of 3. So Cubs by 10+ today.