At the time of this writing, the Chicago Cubs sit seven games behind the Milwaukee Brewers. It's been a long while since Chicago looked upon the standings and saw the Cubs on top in the National League Central, and there's a better-than-good chance that they'll remain there.
Over the last few days, I've seen several articles from multiple different outlets discussing the Cubs and what they want out of a Wild Card series, if they can hold onto a home advantage, and what that may look like. The MLB has 162 games in a season, it's absurd how long it really is. And it's not over yet.
The Cubs and Brewers are set to face each other once again on August 31st, only a few days from now. The last time they faced one another was on June 28th, when the Cubs collected the series win in extras in Milwaukee.
But genuinely, think about how long ago that was. Think about how long ago that was in your life. Two whole months is an eternity in the baseball world, especially when the All-Star Break and trade deadline were smashed in the middle of it.
The Brewers haven't seen this version of the Cubs
Back in June, the Cubs were dealing with a comical amount of injuries to their pitchers. For a while there, it appeared as though the Cubs had done something to offend the baseball gods, because the Cubs were seemingly losing a pitcher each day. A guy would return healthy, and then a day later, him or another useful arm would fall to injury.
It was well-known across the league, and it contributed heavily to a ten-game losing streak at the end of May. Craig Counsell was regularly putting together pitching rosters with backups and their backups, and yet the Cubs have remained a contender through and through.
That series win in June when the Cubs walked off the Brewers was started by Ryan Rolison, his only start of the season. Though he's pitched 51 innings for the Cubs in 2026, Rolison rarely throws more than a single inning. He was relieved after two by Bryce Wilson, a right hander who popped into Chicago, made two starts, and was immediately designated for assignment. Wilson was then picked up by the Brewers only days after that walk off. Colin Rea and David Peterson were the two pitchers to make the other starts in that series, though neither one of them were on the Cubs starting rotation to begin the season.
This is a perfect illustration of the very struggles the Cubs were dealing with through the bulk of the year. The Cubs' front office made several key moves at the trade deadline, and they've enjoyed remarkable success since.
The Cubs still have a say in how the NL Central ends
Now to look ahead at the future. It's easy to slip into the dire attitude when the Cubs have been trailing for so long. At some point, you expect a team to falter, especially when there's so many games, but it hasn't happened yet. That's what makes these upcoming few weeks for the Cubs and Brewers so important.
I understand that the Brewers are the best team in ball, and they have been for quite some time. But I've always operated under the idea that the taller you are, the harder you fall. In the remaining few weeks, the Cubs face off against the Brewers seven more times, the Reds six more times, and the Pirates three more. Those are all important divisional games in the lead-up to the playoffs, and the Cubs have the capability to win. They've already proven it with their hands tied behind their backs, so why not now, when they have momentum and good pitching on their side?
I can also understand hedging your bets and accepting the strength of the top Wild Card spot. But if the Cubs won those seven games against the Brewers, that would provide a swift 14-point swing in the standings. I won't hold my breath for a flawless outcome, but it's theoretically possible. Add in a handful of wins in the divisional games mentioned above, and the Brewers lose a few times, and we're talking about a hot race to hold the top of the NL Central. This sprint is far from over, and the Cubs won't go down without a fight.
The Cubs have earned the chance to keep fighting
When we reach this point in the season, everything starts to happen at a rapid pace. The pursuit to the top and the finalized playoff standings will continue to heat up, and for Chicago, that's a good thing. The Brewers haven't seen the Cubs in long enough that their next matchups will likely not resemble anything we've already seen this season. Since then, the Cubs have exercised more discipline, and the pitching has improved immeasurably.
As the Cubs navigate the troubled waters, it's important to continually ask one very important question: What reason is there to possibly assume the results of the last few months will have any bearing on the outcome of these upcoming series'? If the Cubs can hold strong like they have been since the deadline, they'll be in excellent position to make a final push to dethrone Milwaukee. They'll only have limited chances, but I expect Counsell and the Cubs to do everything in their power to not accept defeat until it's actually arrived.
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