Cubs Officially Eliminated from Postseason Contention
The Chicago Cubs’ hopes for a postseason run have officially come to an end. Following a disappointing 5-1 loss to the Washington Nationals on Saturday evening, the Cubs’ fate was sealed when the New York Mets triumphed over the Philadelphia Phillies. This loss marks a significant moment for the North Siders, who now find themselves sitting at 79-76 for the season.
Current Standings and Wild-Card Race
As the regular season winds down, the Cubs are left watching from the sidelines as the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Mets currently occupy the last two National League Wild-Card spots. The Atlanta Braves are also in the mix, creating a competitive landscape that the Cubs will not be a part of this year. The Cubs’ inability to secure a playoff berth is particularly disheartening, especially considering the high expectations that surrounded the team at the beginning of the season.
Reflections from the Players
In the aftermath of the loss, veteran pitcher Kyle Hendricks shared his thoughts on the season, describing it as “a tough year, obviously.” He noted the team’s inconsistency, stating, “It just seemed like we’d catch steam and then couldn’t maintain it.” Hendricks’ reflections highlight a recurring theme for the Cubs this season: flashes of brilliance overshadowed by periods of struggle. He emphasized that when the team played fundamentally sound baseball, they could compete with anyone, but the inability to sustain that level of play ultimately led to their downfall.
September Struggles
The Cubs’ performance in September has been lackluster, with a record of 9-10. This follows a promising start to the season, where they finished March and April with an 18-12 record. They also managed to post winning records in both July (13-12) and August (18-8). However, the ghosts of May (10-18) and June (11-16) lingered, as those months proved detrimental to their playoff aspirations for the second consecutive year. The inconsistency in their performance has left fans and players alike feeling frustrated and disappointed.
Player Sentiments
Patrick Wisdom, another key player on the team, expressed his disappointment, stating, “It’s a bummer that it came to an end officially. I feel like it kinda slipped through our hands, in a way.” Wisdom’s sentiment resonates with many Cubs fans who have witnessed the team’s struggles over the past few seasons. The feeling of missed opportunities and unfulfilled potential is palpable as the team reflects on what could have been.
A Drought of Playoff Success
The Cubs have not made the playoffs since the shortened 2020 season, and they have not won a playoff game since 2017. This marks a stark contrast to their success from 2015 to 2018, where they enjoyed four consecutive seasons with 90 or more wins. Since then, the team has struggled to reach even 85 wins in a single season, raising questions about the direction of the franchise.
Looking Ahead: The Offseason Challenge
As the Cubs prepare for the offseason, the focus will shift to Jed Hoyer and his front office. This offseason will be crucial as they seek to identify strategies to return the team to consistent postseason contention. The challenges ahead are significant, and fans will be eager to see how the organization plans to address the shortcomings of the past few seasons. The hope is that with the right moves, the Cubs can once again become a competitive force in Major League Baseball.
The journey ahead is uncertain, but the Cubs’ commitment to improvement will be essential as they look to reclaim their place among the league’s elite teams.