A Look at the Cubs’ Potential Wild Card Matchups
With just seven games remaining in the 2026 regular season, the National League playoff field isn’t necessarily set.
While it is safe to assume which teams will make the playoffs, the Wild Card seeding is far from decided.
Right now, the Cubs and Padres are tied for the top spot, and the Phillies are a game behind. The Diamondbacks are still mathematically alive for a playoff spot, but their odds of making the postseason are slim, at 7.1% on FanGraphs.
It is fair to say that the National Wild Card field will consist of the Cubs, Padres, and Phillies.
If the Cubs fall to the third Wild Card spot, they would most likely have to play the NL East champion, the Atlanta Braves.
So, how do the Cubs match up against the Padres, Phillies, and Braves?
San Diego
The Padres are one of the hottest teams in baseball right now, having won twelve of their last thirteen games. The clear issue they pose to the Cubs is their elite bullpen. They currently have the fifth-lowest bullpen ERA in MLB and the fifth-highest strikeout rate in the league. Looking at the actual players that play a part in that, they have arguably the best relief pitcher in the world in Mason Miller. In the sixty-six innings Miller has thrown this season, he has posted an exceptionally low 1.23 ERA.
Outside of the bullpen, this is a favorable matchup for the Cubs, as San Diego has an ERA from their starting pitchers that is in the bottom third of the league, and their offense’s OPS is near the middle of the pack.
Philadelphia
Looking at the pitching that the Phillies have, they are almost the inverse of the Padres. They have a really good starting pitching group, but the bullpen is below average. If the Phillies face the Cubs in the postseason, they’d likely face potential NL Cy Young Cristopher Sanchez. Philadelphia would also lean on Jesus Luzardo, Aaron Nola, and Zack Wheeler in the postseason.
Their starting pitching is a legitimate threat to any team they face in the playoffs. But the Phillies rank in the bottom third in bullpen ERA and offensive OPS. The main threat on their offense is the MLB leader in home runs and old friend Kyle Schwarber. If the Cubs were to take on the Phillies in the postseason at home, they’ll have a good shot.
Atlanta
If the Cubs faced the Braves in the Wild Card round, it would take place in Atlanta, as the Braves won their division. That doesn’t necessarily bode well for the Cubs, but they have shown this season they can beat the Braves.
Like most division-champion teams, Atlanta is well-rounded. They are ranked in the top ten in offensive OPS, starter ERA, and bullpen ERA. While this matchup likely poses the toughest task of the three, the Cubs can absolutely get the job done in Atlanta with their elite offense.
Even with the playoffs approaching, there are still games to play in the regular season.
Look no further than the rubber match the Cubs will play today in Cincinnati against a divisional opponent in the Reds.
Discover more from Chicago Sports Nation
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
