Chicago Cubs Struggle To Cut Magic Number for Playoff Berth

The Chicago Cubs have company for the final playoff spot in the National League.

Chicago lost another game late on Wednesday, falling to the Atlanta Braves, 6-5, in 10 innings after losing the lead in the bottom of the night. It was the second straight loss of the series for the Cubs and puts them on shaky ground with four games left in the season.

Why? The Miami Marlins split a doubleheader with the New York Mets on Wednesday. It was enough to pull the Marlins into a tie for third place with the Cubs with four games remaining.

The Cubs’ magic number to clinch a playoff berth is five, which is odd given that the Cubs have four games left in the season. That is likely a by-product of the tie for third-place and will rectify itself as the second Wild Card berth, or the No. 5 seed in the playoffs, is solidified.

The Arizona Diamondbacks have a two-game lead on the Cubs and Marlins for that spot and a magic number of three to clinch a playoff berth. Technically, the Cubs or Marlins can still catch the Diamondbacks.

The Philadelphia Phillies are already the No. 4 playoff berth and top Wild Card seed.

Below is an update on the race, with the current standings, magic numbers to clinch a Wild Card berth and the remaining schedules for the teams that are still in the race.

The NL Wild Card Race as of Sept. 28

Wednesday’s results

Philadelphia 7, Pittsburgh 6

Arizona 3, Chicago White Sox 0

Atlanta 6, Chicago Cubs 5 (10 innings)

Cleveland 4, Cincinnati 3

New York Mets 11, Miami 2 (Game 1)

Miami 4, New York Mets 2 (Game 2)

Standings

(Top three teams clinch Wild Card berths)

Philadelphia (89-69): +7.0 Games (Will be No. 4 seed in playoffs)

Arizona (84-74): — +2.0 GB (Magic Number to clinch playoff berth: 3)

Chicago Cubs (82-76): — (Magic Number to clinch playoff berth: 5)

Miami (82-76): — (Magic Number to clinch playoff berth: 5)

Cincinnati (81-78): — 1.5 GB

What’s Left?

Philadelphia (4): Thursday: vs. Pittsburgh (1); Friday-Sunday: at New York Mets (3)

Chicago Cubs (4): Thursday: at Atlanta (1); Friday-Sunday: at Milwaukee (3)

Arizona (4): Thursday: at Chicago White Sox (1); Friday-Sunday: vs. Houston (3)

Cincinnati (3): Friday-Sunday: at St. Louis (3)

Miami (4): Thursday: at New York Mets (1); Friday-Sunday: at Pittsburgh (3)