Chicago Cubs Now Projected to Miss MLB Playoffs

How will the Chicago Cubs be able to recover from their devastating loss on Tuesday?

That's the big question heading into the second game of their series against the National League's best team, Atlanta Braves.

After blowing a 6-0 lead and losing on a heartbreaking dropped ball, it's fair to wonder how the Cubs will be able to pick themselves back up and compete once again.

For what it's worth, Chicago's clubhouse is not blaming Seiya Suzuki coming out of that loss and is looking to use that as a galvanizing moment.

But still, what is their headspace heading into a tough game?

Manager David Ross is confident that his club will rise to the occasion.

"This team's been really resilient with all the things that have been thrown at them all year. It'll be another test, for sure. But this team's had their back against the wall all year and they've answered the bell. We've got another tough task ahead of us," he told Jordan Bastian of MLB.com.

The odds are certainly against them now.

FanGraphs is now projecting that the Cubs will miss the MLB Playoffs following Tuesday's result.

They are given a 42.1% chance to be playing postseason baseball after having a 58.0% on Monday.

The good news for Chicago is that they're still a half-game up on the Miami Marlins entering Wednesday's games.

The bad news is that the Marlins play a double-header and can overtake the Cubs, regardless of their own result.

Reliever Drew Smyly reiterates that the team knows how important the final stretch of the season is, especially coming off that loss.

"We’ve got five left,” he said. “We’ve got to dig deep."