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.

For Cubs president Jed Hoyer, the offseason agenda is clear: Add a ton of pitching, catch up to Brewers
25:48

The End: Cubs’ season is over after no-show performance in playoffs
29:15

With Cubs on brink of elimination, we’ll see how resilient they really are
31:26