How Can Cubs Avoid Historic Franchise Collapse?

A couple weeks ago, it looked like the Chicago Cubs had a comfortable position in the NL Wild Card standings that they'd hold onto until the end of the regular season.

Now, inexplicably, the Cubs are facing missing the playoffs after having their worst stretch of the season considering what's at stake.

They're beginning a six game homestand in Chicago on Tuesday with the aim of turning things around before heading on the road to finish the season against the Atlanta Braves and Milwaukee Brewers.

Entering Tuesday, they're in the final Wild Card spot by way of tiebreaker over the Cincinnati Reds.

If the Cubs aren't able to make the playoffs, it would be just the third time since 1970 that they've held a playoff spot in the final month of the regular season before ultimately missing the postseason.

So, how can they avoid this potentially historic collapse?

One, they need their star Cody Bellinger to get back to the form he's showed all season.

In his last 15 games, he's slashing .250/.288/.433 with three home runs and 10 RBI. That's dropped over the last week to .185/.258/.333, which is a far cry from his season average of .311/.356/.534.

Much of it could be attributed slumps that come from a long season, but there's speculation that he needs a couple days off to rest.

"The one player who seems most in need of a day or two is Bellinger," writes Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic. "Pitchers have upped their fastball usage against him this month and it’s working, as he’s had his worst month against heaters (.172 wOBA). If anyone looks gassed, it’s him."

It's probably too late for any days off now that they're in a fight to the finish with 12 games left, but it's clear this team could use some rest.

Maybe that comes by way of playing their younger prospects more.

Manager David Ross has been reluctant to start Pete Crow-Armstrong and Alexander Canario in favor of continuing to trot his veterans out there every game.

Him going to the youngsters now with their playoff lives on the line would be the complete opposite of his DNA and is very unlikely.

So, what they really need is to get healthy, and get healthy fast.

Jeimer Candelario is still working back from the 10-day IL with his lower-back strain. He gives the team more depth and multiple defensive options when available.

The bullpen is depleted as well, with injuries to reliever Michael Fulmer and closer Adbert Azolay hurting the team.

These three players are expected to return in late September or early October, but will be monitored as they make their recovery.

Best case scenario, they're back for final series of the regular season, helping Chicago make the playoffs. Worst case, they're back in October, but the Cubs are sitting at home watching the postseason.

Either way, whoever is still on the team and healthy has to step up and play their best baseball down the stretch to avoid one of the biggest collapses in franchise history.