3 winners, 2 losers from Cubs' roller coaster playoff push heading into October

The Chicago Cubs are headed toward the playoffs for a second-consecutive season, and while that should be expectation for a big-market team like the Cubs, that hasn't been the norm over the past five years.

Even as the Cubs head toward the playoffs, there are questions about the legitimacy of their contention. There certainly is a path for the Cubs to make it out of the National League Wild Card round, but the Alex Bregman injury and uncertainty surrounding the bullpen has clouded the playoff picture.

3 winners from the Cubs' rollercoaster playoff push ahead of the NL Wild Card Series

Craig Counsell

There's a legitimate case for Craig Counsell to get NL Manager of the Year consideration. The problem is that Pat Murphy's schtick with the Milwaukee Brewers hasn't become exhaustive for voters, and Walt Weiss of the Atlanta Braves, and Don Mattingly of the Philadelphia Phillies likely will land ahead of the Cubs manager.

Counsell has his share of detractors, mostly from people obsessing over how much money he's making despite it having no impact on their own financial situation, but he's managed his tail off this season. His pitching staff has been the walking wounded for most of the season, and he's been without a defined ace in his rotation for much of the last two years. Still, he found a way to get the Cubs to the playoffs.

Pete Crow-Armstrong

The Cubs took a gamble on Pete Crow-Armstrong at the start of the season. They signed him to a pre-arbitration contract extension, hoping that his struggles in the second-half last season were the exception to the rule. Not only did the Cubs win that gamble, but Crow-Armstrong has had a historic season en route to winning the NL MVP Award.

Simply put, with no Crow-Armstrong, the Cubs aren't a playoff team this year.

David Peterson

David Peterson has been incredible since his arrival to the Cubs this season. Of his 15 appearances, he's given up two runs or less in 11 of them. There's been a blip every now and then, but he stabilized the rotation and it's reached the point where the best move for the Cubs during the NL Wild Card series would be to give Peterson the start in a potential Game 3.

2 losers from the Cubs' rollercoaster playoff push ahead of the NL Wild Card Series

Jed Hoyer

This is odd placement for Jed Hoyer. Overall, Hoyer did a lot of things right heading into this season and at the MLB trade deadline. Alex Bregman looks like one of the best signings from last offseason, and the Cubs acted with urgency at the deadline. The fatal flaw for the Cubs during the playoffs might be their bullpen, and it stems from Hoyer whiffing on the additions of Phil Maton and Hunter Harvey. It might be one blip, but with the bullpen also being the biggest concern for the Cubs as the playoffs approach, that is why Hoyer gets dinged.

Jacob Webb

Jacob Webb has allowed six runs on six hits, including two home runs, in his last five innings of work. Yes, Webb's success during the middle months of the season certainly helped the team reach this point, but he's made a case since August 22 that he can't be used in high-leverage situations.

Add us as a preferred source on Google