Can the cubs still make the playoffs

As of 23 September 2026, the Chicago Cubs have been mathematically eliminated from postseason contention. Following a challenging stretch in late August and early September, the team failed to gain the necessary ground in the National League Wild Card race. Despite a late-season surge in performance from the pitching rotation and several standout individual efforts from the core roster, the deficit created by a sluggish mid-summer period proved too significant to overcome. The front office has already begun shifting its focus toward the 2027 campaign, evaluating internal prospects and identifying key areas for roster improvement during the upcoming offseason. Managerial staff emphasized that while the team showed flashes of high-level competitiveness, the inability to maintain consistency in high-leverage situations ultimately derailed their playoff aspirations. With only a handful of games remaining on the schedule, the organization is now prioritizing player development and health for the final series of the year. Fans are looking ahead to the winter meetings, where the team is expected to be aggressive in addressing offensive depth to ensure a stronger push next season.