I'll start with the wild card, which is their only shot at the play-offs this year. They are 4 games back, which is not terrible, but just looking at the standings doesn't really do justice to their situation. 4 different teams are ahead of them in the wild card standings, meaning that they'd have to play better than all of these teams, plus the possibility is there that one of the division leaders loses their lead and must settle for the wild card, again leaving the Cubs out of October.

      While 4 games isn't insurmountable, the Cubs are only 2 games above .500. That is not playoff caliber baseball, especially in the National League of Major League Baseball. They started the second half of the season hot, but have since died off, losing the division lead that was only theirs for a short time. It was the latest they've ever held the lead, but they won't see it again. 

     When Alfonso Soriano went down, the Cubs season went down the drain. If they're playing .500 ball with the 139 million dollar man, with 44 games left to play, they'll at best be 18-26 to end the season, which means they'll finish under .500 and miss the play-offs again.

      The Brewers are holding onto their lead because the Cubs don't want it. They've played uninspired, miserable baseball the last month, and until they step up, they'll continue to blow any play-off chance they have.

     The Cardinals have gained 3 games on the Cubs, and have gained 3.5 on the Brewers. They are streaking right now, and while I don't believe they'll make the play-offs, I do believe they'll finish second in the N.L. Central. 

     I will give my opinion on the play-offs next week, but I'll say right now that the Cubs will NOT be playing in the play-offs.