Chicago Cubs Remain On Path to Postseason Despite D-Backs Loss

The Chicago Cubs fell to the Arizona Diamondbacks, 6-2, on Thursday night, but they will continue their pursuit of either the NL Central or the NL Wild Card playoffs on Friday.

The Cubs (76-65) dropped a half-game further behind the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central, but they are still within striking distance.

The Diamondbacks (73-68) moved into the last Wild Card berth. The Miami Marlins lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers and lost a little ground on the Diamondbacks for that final spot.

The rest of the serious Wild Card contenders were off on Thursday, so there should be plenty of movement as Philadelphia, Cincinnati and San Francisco get back on the field on Friday.

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

The NL Central Race as of Sept. 8

Thursday’s Results

Arizona 6, Chicago Cubs 2

Milwaukee, off

Milwaukee (77-62): — (Magic Number to clinch NL Central: 21)

Chicago Cubs (76-65): 2 games back

What’s Left?

Milwaukee (23): Friday-Sunday: at New York Yankees (3); Sept. 11-14: vs. Miami (4); Sept. 15-17: vs. Washington (3); Sept. 18-21: at St. Louis (4); Sept. 22-24: at Miami (3); Sept. 26-28: vs. St. Louis (3); Sept. 29-Oct. 1: vs. Chicago Cubs (3)

Chicago Cubs (21): Friday-Sunday: vs. Arizona (4); Sept. 11-13: at Colorado (3); Sept. 15-17: at Arizona (3); Sept. 19-21: vs. Pittsburgh (3); Sept. 22-24: vs. Colorado (3); Sept. 26-28: at Atlanta (3); Sept. 29-Oct. 1: at Milwaukee (3)

The NL Wild Card Race as of Sept. 8

Thursday’s Results

Arizona 6, Chicago Cubs 2

Los Angeles Dodgers 10, Miami 0

Philadelphia, off

Cincinnati, off

(Top three teams clinch Wild Card berths)

Philadelphia (77-62): +5.0 Games (Magic Number to clinch: 18)

Chicago Cubs (76-65): +3.0 Games (Magic Number to clinch: 19)

Arizona (73-68): — (Magic Number to clinch: 22)

Miami (72-68): 0.5 Games Back

Cincinnati (73-69): 0.5 Games Back

San Francisco (70-70): 2.5 Games back

What’s Left?

Philadelphia (23): Friday-Sunday: vs. Miami (3); Sept. 11-13: vs. Atlanta (4); Sept. 15-17: at St. Louis (3); Sept. 18-20: at Atlanta (3); Sept. 21-24: vs. New York Mets (4); Sept. 26-28: vs. Pittsburgh (3); Sept. 29-Oct. 1: at New York Mets (3)

Arizona (21): Friday-Sunday: at Chicago Cubs (4); Sept. 11-14: at New York Mets (4); Sept. 15-17: vs. Chicago Cubs (3); Sept. 19-20: vs. San Francisco (2); Sept. 22-24: at New York Yankees (3); Sept. 25-27: at Chicago White Sox (3); Sept. 29-Oct. 1: vs. Houston (3)

Cincinnati (20): Friday-Sunday: vs. St. Louis (3); Sept. 12-14: at Detroit (3); Sept. 15-17: at New York Mets (3); Sept. 18-20: vs. Minnesota (3); Sept. 22-24: vs. Pittsburgh (3); Sept. 26-27: at Cleveland (2); Sept. 29-Oct. 1: at St. Louis (3)

Miami (22): Friday-Sunday: at Philadelphia (3); Sept. 11-14: at Milwaukee (4); Sept. 15-17: vs. Atlanta (3); Sept. 18-20: vs. New York Mets (3); Sept. 22-24: vs. Milwaukee (3); Sept. 26-28: at New York Mets (3); Sept. 29-Oct. 1: at Pittsburgh (3)

San Francisco (22): Friday-Sunday: vs. Colorado (3); Sept. 11-13: vs. Cleveland (3); Sept. 14-17: at Colorado (4); Sept. 19-20: at Arizona (2); Sept. 21-24: at Los Angeles Dodgers (4); Sept. 25-27: vs. San Diego (3); Sept. 29-Oct. 1: vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (3)