Cubs face crunch time

With only a handful of games left in the regular season, the Cubs are in a tight National League wild-card race that will determine their playoff fate.

Inconsistency strikes at worst moment

The Cubs have lost regular dominance down the stretch despite having baseball's highest-scoring offense and best defense.

Brewers dominate the division

The Milwaukee Brewers ran away with the National League Central, while the Cubs have won few series since mid-August.

Bullpen remains a concern

The Cubs' pitching struggles, particularly in the bullpen, have undermined their otherwise strong roster.

Fans skeptical of October chances

At this moment, it's hard to convince Cubs fans that this team is bound for October glory given their recent performance.

Players still believe

Despite the inconsistency, the Cubs remain confident in their championship potential and their ability to win the World Series.

“I don't think we've ever lost sight of what our potential is. We still feel like we can absolutely be the last team standing.”

Conforto's championship experience

Designated hitter Michael Conforto won the World Series with the Dodgers last year and sees that same special quality in the Cubs.

Winning every series is the goal

The Cubs must win every series from now through the end of October to achieve their championship dreams.

Recent series record is troubling

The Cubs won only three of their previous nine series heading into their rubber game with the Braves.

Offense and defense are elite

The Cubs rank first in offense and have the best defense in baseball, but must improve their pitching to win it all.

Focus on daily execution

The Cubs have been consistent behind the scenes all season, focusing on each new day without getting dragged down by losses or overly heightened by wins.

Emotional roller coaster season

The Cubs have experienced wild highs and lows throughout their campaign, but must maintain their composure down the stretch.

“There's obviously been some really high highs, and there's been some pretty low lows, as well.”

Fan frustration is understandable

Fans are frustrated because they know how good the team is, but the Cubs haven't consistently performed at that level.

Energy fuels the team

The heightened emotion and energy surrounding every game in September is a sign the Cubs have a chance to do something special.

Focus remains the key

The Cubs have the unique ability to go out and focus on the job despite the heightened emotions and energy surrounding their playoff push.