The Chicago Cubs are battling for a spot in the 2025 MLB playoffs. After a series against the Milwaukee Brewers, the playoff picture in the National League is becoming clearer. This article provides an in-depth look at the Cubs’ current standings, their chances of winning the division, and their potential path through the wild card race. With the season heading into its final stretch, every game is crucial for the Cubs and their fans.
The Cubs’ performance against the Brewers has had a significant impact on their playoff aspirations. While they managed to win three out of five games, the Cubs still have ground to cover if they hope to win the division. This article will break down the current National League Central standings, analyze the wild card race, and explore the Cubs’ remaining schedule. By examining these factors, we can gain a better understanding of the Cubs’ playoff prospects.
Here, we delve into the details of the Cubs’ current position, potential playoff matchups, and the challenges they face in the remaining games. The key questions we’ll address include: What are the current National League Central standings? How do the Cubs fare in the wild card race? What is the Cubs’ magic number to clinch a playoff berth? If the season ended today, who would the Cubs play? And how tough is the Cubs’ remaining schedule?
National League Central Standings: Cubs’ Climb
As of August 21, 2025, the Milwaukee Brewers lead the National League Central with a record of 80-48. The Chicago Cubs trail by seven games, holding a 73-55 record. The Cincinnati Reds are further behind at 67-61, 13 games back from the division lead. The Cubs’ recent series against the Brewers allowed them to gain only one game in the standings, highlighting the challenge they face in catching the Brewers.
The Brewers’ magic number over the Cubs currently stands at 28. This means that any combination of Brewers wins and Cubs losses totaling 28 will secure the division title for Milwaukee. For the Cubs, every game is a must-win as they attempt to close the gap and put pressure on the Brewers.
The Cubs will need to capitalize on every opportunity and maintain consistency to have a chance at winning the division. A strong performance in their upcoming games, coupled with potential stumbles by the Brewers, could shift the landscape of the NL Central. However, the Cubs’ primary focus should be on securing a wild card spot if the division title proves unattainable.
“The Cubs only gained one game on Milwaukee as the season hits its home stretch,” – NBC Chicago
National League Wild Card: Cubs’ Prime Position
The Cubs are in a favorable position in the National League wild card race, currently holding the top spot with a record of 73-55. The San Diego Padres are also comfortably in the mix, sitting 1.5 games behind Chicago with a 71-56 record. The New York Mets and Cincinnati Reds are vying for the final wild card spot, with the Mets holding a slight edge.
Here are the current National League wild card standings:
- Chicago Cubs – 73-55
- San Diego Padres – 71-56 (1.5 GB of Chicago)
- New York Mets – 67-59
- Cincinnati Reds – 67-61 (1 GB of New York)
The Cubs’ lead in the wild card race gives them a significant advantage, but they must continue to perform well to maintain their position. The Padres, Mets, and Reds are all capable teams, and any slip-ups by the Cubs could allow them to close the gap. The wild card race will likely remain tight until the end of the season, adding pressure to every game.
Cubs’ Magic Number: Clinching a Playoff Berth
The Chicago Cubs’ magic number to clinch a playoff berth is calculated against the Cincinnati Reds, who are currently the first team out in the wild card standings. As of August 21, 2025, the Cubs’ magic number over the Reds stands at 28. This means that any combination of Cubs wins and Reds losses totaling 28 will secure a playoff spot for the Cubs.
Importantly, the Cubs hold a 5-4 advantage over the Reds in the season series. This head-to-head record serves as a tiebreaker, meaning that if the two clubs end the season with the same record, the Cubs would advance to the postseason. This tiebreaker advantage provides an additional layer of security for the Cubs as they navigate the final stretch of the season.
The magic number provides a tangible goal for the Cubs as they strive to secure a playoff spot. By focusing on winning their games and capitalizing on Reds’ losses, the Cubs can steadily decrease their magic number and move closer to clinching a postseason berth. The team’s performance in the upcoming weeks will be critical in determining whether they can achieve this goal.
Potential Playoff Matchups: Cubs’ Path to the World Series
If the season ended today, the Chicago Cubs would enter the playoffs as the top wild card team. Under Major League Baseball’s playoff structure, the top two wild card teams play each other in a best-of-three series for the first round of the playoffs. As the top wild card team, the Cubs would face the fifth-seeded team in the National League, which is currently the San Diego Padres.
The best-of-three series would take place at Wrigley Field, as the Cubs would be the higher seed. If the two teams were to finish with the same record, a divisional record tiebreaker would be used, as the Cubs and Padres split their six-game season series. Currently, the Cubs hold a slight advantage with a .571 winning percentage against the National League Central, compared to the Padres’ .553 against the National League West.
The winner of the Cubs-Padres series would advance to take on the top-seeded team in the National League, the Milwaukee Brewers, in a best-of-five series. The first two games and a potential Game 5 would be played in Milwaukee, giving the Brewers home-field advantage. The Cubs would need to overcome this challenge to advance further in the playoffs.
Remaining Schedule: Challenges and Opportunities
As the season winds down, the Chicago Cubs face a schedule with both challenges and opportunities. Notably, the Cubs only have one more series remaining against a team currently holding a playoff spot: a series against the New York Mets at Wrigley Field in September. This series could be crucial in determining the final wild card standings.
The Cubs also have a series against the Cincinnati Reds, who are in contention for the final wild card spot. This series will be particularly important, as the Reds will be fighting to close the gap and secure a playoff berth. The Cubs will need to perform well in this series to maintain their lead in the wild card race.
The Cubs’ remaining schedule also includes games against teams with losing records, such as the Atlanta Braves, Colorado Rockies, Washington Nationals, and Pittsburgh Pirates. These games provide opportunities for the Cubs to pad their record and gain ground in the standings. However, the Cubs must remain focused and avoid any costly losses against these teams.
Conclusion: Cubs’ Playoff Path
The Chicago Cubs have positioned themselves well for a playoff run in 2025, holding the top spot in the National League wild card race. While winning the division remains a possibility, the Cubs’ primary focus should be on securing a wild card berth and preparing for a potential playoff series against the San Diego Padres.
The Cubs’ magic number of 28 against the Cincinnati Reds provides a clear target for clinching a playoff spot. By winning their games and capitalizing on Reds’ losses, the Cubs can steadily decrease their magic number and move closer to achieving their postseason aspirations. The team’s performance in the upcoming weeks will be critical in determining their fate.
As the season draws to a close, the Cubs must maintain their focus, capitalize on opportunities, and overcome the challenges that lie ahead. With a favorable position in the wild card race and a manageable remaining schedule, the Cubs have a strong chance of making a deep playoff run and competing for a spot in the World Series. The support of their fans and the leadership of their players will be essential in achieving this goal.
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