The Chicago Cubs have been inconsistent throughout the 2024 season, which is why they are currently outside the National League playoffs at 61-64 and have less than a four percent chance of reaching the postseason.

Competing with baseball’s top teams has been challenging at times this season. The Cubs were swept by the Cleveland Guardians last week, but also picked up second-half series wins over the Kansas City Royals and Minnesota Twins.

They also won a must-win series against the St. Louis Cardinals, but then lost an equally important series against the Cincinnati Reds. There are a lot of question marks, including their lineup not being consistent.

With just 11 runs scored in their last five games, the Cubs will need to get going if they want to make a late-season run. Dansby Swanson is a player they would like to see get going in the home stretch, as he has struggled since signing a lucrative long-term contract as a free agent ahead of the 2023 season.

If Chicago wants to earn a playoff spot, they need to get going now. Luck is on their side with their upcoming schedule.

They ended their series against the Guardians on August 14. Until September 6, this will be the last time the Cubs will face a team with a record above .500.

They then begin a three-game series against the New York Yankees, followed by a three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Before that, Chicago plays five series against teams all under .500.

This gives the team a golden opportunity to get some wins and get back in the race. 5.5 games back of the final wild card spot, currently held by the Atlanta Braves, the Cubs have a chance to make their move.

This stretch begins with a three-game set against the Detroit Tigers, who have been a constant spoiler in recent weeks. Fortunately for Chicago, they will be missing American League favorite for the Cy Young Award, Tarik Skubal.

Three games against the Miami Marlins kick off Chicago’s road trip. They will visit the Pittsburgh Pirates and Washington Nationals before returning home for another series against the Pirates.

There’s a chance the Cubs will have to face Paul Skenes two more times, but Pittsburgh may decide to take some time off its young star and limit his innings with its playoff hopes hanging by a thread.

Chicago needs to win at least one of its next 15 games to have a real chance of making the playoffs, which would put them two games over .500 before facing World Series contenders Yankees and Dodgers.

They then finish the season with 13 of 16 games against teams that are also below .500. New York, Los Angeles and the Philadelphia Phillies (nine games total) are the only times the Cubs face an opponent with a winning record in the final 37 games of the season.