Cubs can find some much needed playoff optimism hiding inside one incredible stat

While the Chicago Cubs bullpen has been giving everyone fits for weeks at this point, fans should take comfort in the fact that this offense is one of the best we've ever seen. I know that sounds like hyperbole, but it's true. In terms of FanGraphs batting WAR, the 2026 Cubs have already surpassed the World Series-winning 2016 team.

After Pete Crow-Armstrong and Alex Bregman delivered three extra-base hits each in Wednesday's finale against the Atlanta Braves, the team's fWAR increased to 36.2 on the year. This leads all MLB teams and is nearly 12 points higher than the Milwaukee Brewers (24.3) and the Los Angeles Dodgers (24.2), both teams that the Cubs will have to overcome in October if they hope to win a pennant.

Both men have also cemented themselves as the generators in this offense, with Crow-Armstrong's National League MVP all but secure and Bregman's scorching-hot second half proving the haters wrong. With both men able to go nuclear at any time, supplemented by steady contributors like Seiya Suzuki (132 wRC+), Michael Busch (110 wRC+) and Carson Kelly (106 wRC+), this offense has the talent to make a deep playoff run.

The Cubs' offense could be the difference-maker during the MLB playoffs

This trend needs to continue when the playoffs come around, because the Cubs are simply outclassed in the pitching department. We all know about the bullpen woes, and the fact that it's difficult to trust a single reliever on the roster with a save situation right now.

In the rotation, Kevin Gausman and Clay Holmes figure to be your Game 1 and 2 starters. But both men have been streaky since coming to Chicago, and need to be the best version of themselves to go toe-to-toe with aces like Jacob Misiorowski, Yoshinobu Yamamoto or Tarik Skubal.

The Cubs position players could mask these weaknesses if they continue their historic pace into the Fall. Coupled with the fact that these guys are also hands down the best defense in baseball could be enough to give them a chance at their first championship in a decade.

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