The Cubs still have a roadmap to the postseason with two frontline starting pitchers, an MVP candidate, a Rookie of the Year frontrunner, a strong back end of the bullpen and the perfect manager for the Wrigleyville circus.
The math is definitely on their side, with FanGraphs (96.8 percent) and Baseball Prospectus (95.9 percent) making their playoff odds on Wednesday morning look like a sure thing.
But this 7-4 loss to the Cincinnati Reds — and losing a series to a last-place team already mathematically eliminated from the division race — showed why Cubs fans will be on edge and angry on Twitter even as Joe Maddon’s group tries to play loose, naive and carefree.