Breaking down the Cubs and their three main competitors’ remaining three weeks:
CUBS
Home: 6 (51-24)
Road: 13 (35-33)
vs. teams .500 or above: 19
Rec. vs. remaining opp.: 19-17
Days off: 1
Key series: Sept. 22-25 in New York
Advantage: 41/2-game lead with 19 remaining means it’s theirs to lose.
Disadvantage: Brutal final stretch with every opponent fighting for something.
BREWERS
Home: 8 (43-30)
Road: 10 (39-32)
vs. teams .500 or above: 10
Rec. vs. remaining opp.: 22-15
Days off: 2
Key series: Sept. 16-18 at Wrigley Field.
Advantage: Control fate with 6 vs. Cubs; two days off to keep pitchers fresh.
Disadvantage: Seven straight on the road against Phillies and Cubs.
METS
Home: 12 (42-27)
Road: 7 (38-36)
vs. teams .500 or above: 7
Rec. vs. remaining opp.: 22-19
Days off: 1
Key series: Sept. 22-25 vs. Cubs at home
Advantage: 6 vs. the
Nationals; 12 home games.
Disadvantage: Four against the Cubs will be no easy chore.
PHILLIES
Home: 12 (40-29)
Road: 6 (39-36)
vs. teams .500 or above: 9
Rec. vs. remaining opp.: 23-19
Days off: 2
Key series: Sept. 11-14 vs. Milwaukee at home
Advantage: Final 12 games against East opponents far out of race, including final six at home.
Disadvantage: No more games against the Mets.
