The Chicago Cubs may have lost 8-3 to the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday. However, they got a major reprieve amid a competitive NL Wild Card race.
That's because the Philadelphia Phillies, San Diego Padres, and Arizona Diamondbacks all lost their games. As a result, the Cubs still hold a slight lead in the NL Wild Card standings, per ESPN.
The Phillies lost to the Washington Nationals 6-3. Meanwhile, the Padres fell to the Colorado Rockies 9-3. The Diamondbacks also lost to the Miami Marlins 4-2.
Chicago stands at 84-68 and leads the second-place Phillies (83-68) by 1.5 games. The Padres are 82-69, and the Diamondbacks are 80-72.
With ten games remaining, Chicago has a good chance to win the Wild Card.
However, they have lost six of their last ten games. The likely MVP Pete Crow-Armstrong remains on a tear at the plate. At the same time, the Cubs were dealt a blow when veteran pitcher Shelby Miller will miss the rest of the season with an elbow injury.
Article Continues BelowNevertheless, the roadmap looks fairly good.
After the Braves' series, which wraps up on Wednesday, Chicago should have an easy time with the Cincinnati Reds for a three-game series. The same should hold against the Marlins on the road afterward.
Then, the Cubs will conclude the season on the road against the playoff-contending Boston Red Sox.
It's a rather easy schedule for them from here on out, and if all goes well, they should be able to clinch the Wild Card.
If they do, it will be the Cubs' second consecutive playoff berth.