Chicago Cubs could have their hands full in matchup against Washington Nationals

Making the playoffs still is not a guarantee for the Chicago Cubs. Be that as it may, the most-likely matchup would be against the Washington Nationals. How do the two teams stack up entering a possible NLDS series?

At this point, there is still no definitive answer regarding where the Chicago Cubs will finish in the standings by regular season’s end. The Cubs (75-62) entered play Tuesday night with a 3 1/2 game lead over the Milwaukee Brewers (72-66) in the NL Central.

The Cubs and Brewers still have seven games left against one another, meaning there is plenty of things that can happen. If the Cubs can build upon their 17-12 August record, they should be sitting pretty come October.

At the same time, though, the seven games left against the Brewers could ultimately decide where both teams finish. Both the NL Central crown and one (if not both) wild card positions could go down to the wire.

Entering Tuesday, the Cubs have a 96 percent chance of making the playoffs, according to ESPN’s Buster Olney. The Cubs have 25 games left to solidify themselves at the top of NL Central; with a favorable schedule, the division really is the Cubs to lose.

Between winning the division and the wild card, let’s assume the Cubs make the playoffs one way or another. With how many teams are still in contention, the Cubs could play one of several teams to open October.