The Chicago Cubs are cruising toward the postseason with the top wild card spot, sitting a comfy six games ahead of San Diego, but don’t let that cushion fool you: the NL Central is still very much up for grabs. This Friday matinee at Wrigley, a true “Ferris Bueller” special with a 2:20 ET first pitch on Apple TV, isn’t just another game. The Cardinals might have the rest advantage, not playing Thursday while the Cubbies got blasted 7-0 in Washington, but the stakes for Chicago are way higher than just snapping a three-game winning streak.
The NL Central Race Is Wide Open, Seriously
Hold up, did you hear that? The NL Central is back up for grabs! Milwaukee’s been fading a bit lately, and they’re staring down potential troubles this weekend against the Dodgers, even after a comeback win Thursday. That leaves Chicago only four games back from the top. While the SportsLine Projection Model says the Cubs have a massive 99.4% shot at making the playoffs and are -165 favorites for the NL’s No. 4 overall seed, that division title is sitting there at +240 for them. They’ve still got seven games against Milwaukee, too. Winning the division means a series at home, just like when they beat the Padres in three back in 2025. This isn’t just about a wild card, it’s about owning the division!
Clay Holmes’ Second Start: Pressure’s On
This game marks the second start for trade acquisition Clay Holmes, who came over from the Mets at the deadline along with outfielder Tyrone Taylor. What a move that was, but man, it cost them their top prospect, infielder Jefferson Rojas, who immediately became New York’s number one guy! Holmes, sitting with a 4-5 record and a 2.86 ERA overall, did not have a great Cubs debut last Saturday in Kansas City. He gave up four runs and six hits over four innings, admitting he was “a pick too amped up early on” and just left his pitches in the zone. The Royals scored in each of the first three innings against him, yikes. He’s also got a player option for 2027 he’s likely to decline. Every start is huge, especially when you’re pushing for a division title!
This is a big one. Can the Cubbies capitalize on Milwaukee’s struggles and start chipping away at that four-game deficit? And will Clay Holmes settle down and show why they traded their future for him? You gotta tune in and find out.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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