The Cubs have been holding steady at right around 94% playoff odds for the last two weeks now, distancing themselves from everyone else in the division other than the Brewers. That one-game cushion looms large this weekend as both rivals take on top teams from outside the NL Central. Having the second-best record in the NL is a feather in the Cubs’ cap, but they really need to take care of business this weekend.
In addition to hosting a marquee matchup at Wrigley, the next three days could do quite a bit to stratify buyers and sellers ahead of the trade deadline.