The Cubs got a win Thursday night to stave off the dreaded mathematical elimination, but being seven games back with nine to go means FanGraphs now has them at 0.0% for the postseason. Even running the table and getting to 86 wins would leave them needing the Braves to go 3-6 while the Mets faceplant with a 1-8 finish. Ain’t happening.
Just being above .500 and having a win total in the mid-80s shouldn’t be the goal for any team, let alone one that was apparently okay with pushing payroll into luxury tax penalties. Cracks in the foundation of this roster were evident from the start and they ended up being exposed at various points throughout the season.