You don’t have to squint to see the playoff picture getting clearer, though you might have wanted to close your eyes during the Cubs’ loss in Pittsburgh Thursday afternoon. Like when Ian Happ got hit near the right eye with a foul ball that ricocheted off the ground. Or when Jason Kipnis was allowed to bat against lefty Sam Howard with the bases loaded and one out despite having right-handed batters on the bench.
No matter how sloppy the Cubs looked in their latest loss, or in the four others they suffered during their 10-game road trip, they return to Chicago with even better playoff odds than a week ago.