Quantifying Hope Quickie: Cubs Now at 6.9% Playoff Odds

The Cubs gained two games on the Braves over the weekend and are now just three games out of the final Wild Card spot, and they’ve nearly doubled their playoff odds in the meantime. They have more than tripled their chances since August 25, when they were at a season-low 2.2% following their only loss in the last 10 games. Rattling off six straight and scoring 67 runs in that stretch tends to put a rosier tint on things.

Reality is a fickle mistress, however, and she’s waiting on the other side of this Pirates series as the Cubs host the Yankees before heading to Chavez Ravine to face the Dodgers. Then they get a break with 10 games against the Rockies, A’s, and Nationals preceding a trip to Philly. The opportunity is real, but this team needs to stay hot for a while yet.