The magic number is dwindling to a point where the Cubs will almost certainly qualify for the playoffs. Maybe it doesn’t matter how they get there. But heading into the final week of the regular season, it’s easy to spot the areas of concern. You also have to acknowledge the good things that put them in this position. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney break it all down, including a full report on the team field trip to Churchill Downs that Alex Bregman and Craig Counsell helped organize.

With offense/defense clicking, Cubs have everything except their bullpen in order for playoffs
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How the Cubs stack up in the National League wild-card race
27:51

Cubs mailbag: Why do they keep getting lapped by the Brewers?
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