Why the upcoming homestand could decide the Cubs' postseason fate

With the series with the Toronto Blue Jays in the rearview mirror, the Chicago Cubs are about to embark on an eight-game homestand that could make or break their playoff hopes. A team that has struggled to put together consistent baseball since the All-Star break needs to find a way to catch fire. If they do, there's even a chance they could get back into the NL Central race, even if that continues to be a long shot, thanks to the insane run the Milwaukee Brewers have been on.

The good news is that the Cubs get to ease their way into things. Friday sees a Pittsburgh Pirates team that is doing its usual late-season swoon as it continues to entrench itself in last place after being swept by those red-hot Brewers this week.

Chicago Cubs enter a make-or-break homestand this weekend

Taking on a team that's 20 games under .500 is what the Chicago Cubs need to right the ship. The added benefit of reportedly getting to miss Paul Skenes will come in handy as well. Should the Cubs manage to keep the Pirates' slide going and pull off a sweep, it could be quite the boost.

Then, starting Monday, it's prove-it time for the Cubs. A five-game series against the division-leading Milwaukee Brewers, including a doubleheader to open the set, will either catapult the Cubs back into the division race or make things nearly impossible in that regard.

The law of averages says that at some point, the Brewers have to cool off. They've simply been too hot for too long. Coming off a weekend series against the Cincinnati Reds that could be a slugfest, perhaps the Cubs can catch a Milwaukee team that's a bit worn out.

While the focus from the fans and the media will almost certainly be on whether or not the Cubs have a chance in the NL Central, there's also the Wild Card to worry about. Suppose the club can rack up several wins in the next homestand. In that case, they can cement themselves as going to the playoffs, even if it's not in the fashion that was hoped earlier this season.

The added bonus to a successful homestand for the Chicago Cubs is that they'll finish off the month of August against the Los Angeles Angels, San Francisco Giants and Colorado Rockies, three teams with no hope of a postseason bid at this point. Suppose they can make progress against the Pirates and Brewers. In that case, the rest of the month sets up for considerable momentum heading into September.