The Cubs (80-76) took three of four from the Nationals this weekend but they were officially eliminated from postseason contention Saturday night. That eventuality had become clear a couple weeks ago after Craig Counsell‘s squad was never able to completely recover from a deep slump in May and June. They begin the final week of the 2024 season against one of the best teams in baseball, the Phillies, starting Monday.
Philadelphia (92-64) is on the verge of clinching the National League East and sits one game behind the Dodgers for the best record in the league and a first-round bye in the playoffs.