Playoff Talk: The Exciting Road to the Championship
Are you ready for some intense, heart-pumping action? It’s that time of the year again – playoff season. The time when the best teams in the league battle it out for the ultimate prize – the championship title. And let me tell you, this year’s playoffs are shaping up to be one for the books.
The anticipation is high as fans eagerly await the start of the playoffs. Who will come out on top? Which team will rise to the occasion and make history? These are the questions on everyone’s mind.
But before we dive into the matchups and predictions, let’s take a moment to appreciate the journey that led us here. The regular season was filled with ups and downs, surprises and disappointments. But now, it’s a clean slate for all teams. It’s anyone’s game.
As the playoffs begin, the intensity and pressure will only continue to rise. Every game, every play, every shot will matter. The stakes are higher than ever and the competition will be fierce.
So, let’s talk playoffs. ix of their last seven.
The Cubs’ Path to the Postseason: A Look at Their Remaining Schedule
The Chicago Cubs are in the home stretch of the 2025 regular season, with only 24 games left to play. But it’s not just any regular season – the Cubs are on the brink of securing a spot in the postseason. With a magic number of 16, the Cubs are almost guaranteed a spot in the playoffs, whether it be a wild-card spot or a top spot in their division.
The Magic Number: 16
The Cubs’ magic number to clinch a postseason berth is 16. This number represents the combined total of Cubs wins and Reds losses that would secure the Cubs a spot in the playoffs. With 24 games remaining, the Cubs have a chance to clinch a wild-card spot by going 16-8, regardless of what the Reds do.
A Favorable Schedule
The Cubs have a favorable schedule in their remaining 24 games, with 17 of those games against teams currently under .500. This gives the Cubs a good opportunity to make a run and secure a spot in the postseason.
The Top Wild-Card Spot: Magic Number 22
To secure the top wild-card spot and have a wild-card series at Wrigley Field, the Cubs’ magic number is 22. This means the Cubs would likely need some help, as the Padres have the easiest remaining schedule of all 30 teams, according to Tankathon. The Cubs have the fourth-easiest schedule, tied with the Dodgers.
Remaining Schedules for Wild-Card Contenders
Here’s a look at the remaining schedules for the wild-card contenders, with home games in boldface:
Braves (2), Nationals (3), at Braves (3), Rays (3), at Pirates (3), at Reds (4), Mets (3), Cardinals (3)
The Cubs won’t face a team with a winning record until they play the Reds, who could potentially be under .500 by then.
Orioles (2), at Rockies (3), Reds (3), Rockies (4), at Mets (3), at White Sox (3), Brewers (3), Diamondbacks (3)
The Padres have a very easy schedule, with seven games against the Rockies, though the Cubs found out last weekend that the Rockies are no pushover.
Padres’ Brutal Travel Schedule
The Padres have a tough travel schedule ahead of them, with games in all four time zones in an 18-day span. This could potentially hurt their chances of catching up to the Dodgers in the NL West.
Mets (2), at Tigers (3), at Reds (3), at Phillies (4), Rangers (3), Padres (3), Nationals (3), at Cubs (3), at Marlins (3)
The Mets have a worse record on the road than at home, and with 18 of their remaining 24 games against teams with winning records, their road-heavy schedule could hurt their chances.
Reds (2), Blue Jays (3), Mets (3), at Padres (3), at Athletics (3), at Cardinals (3), Cubs (4), Pirates (3)
The Reds have a tough schedule ahead, with 15 of their remaining 24 games against teams with winning records. They also have a difficult travel schedule and have lost four of their last seven games.
