The Chicago Cubs lost their sixth consecutive game following a 9-2 loss to the Washington Nationals on September 6, 2012. Throughout the four-game series, the Nationals outscored the Cubs 31-9. The Nationals scored 29 runs in the final three games. Alfonso Soriano committed his first error of the season. That may kill any chance that he had to win a Gold Glove award.There were also some bench brawls.
With a 51-86 record, the Cubs will prepare for a three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates. To avoid 100 losses, the Cubs must win 12 of their final 25 games. This would give them a 63-99 record. They'll start with six more road games against divisional foes.
Here is the Cubs' remaining schedule.
Cubs' Final 25 Games For 2012 MLB Season
September 7-9: at Pittsburgh Pirates
September 10-12: at Houston Astros
September 13: OFF
September 14-17: Pittsburgh Pirates
September 18-20: Cincinnati Reds
September 21-23: St. Louis Cardinals
September 24: OFF
September 25-27: at Colorado Rockies
September 28-30: at Arizona Diamondbacks
October 1-3: Houston Astros
Outlook
The Cubs have 13 home games, three of which are against a Houston Astros team who has a 14-55 road record. This could eventually be a "Get out of jail free card." The other 10 home games are against the National League Central teams who are in the heart of a pennant race.
The Cubs have a 34-34 home record. Let's assume they complete this schedule with a 7-6 home record. They'd still need to win five of their final 12 road games. They have road games against the Pittsburgh Pirates (3), Houston Astros (3), Colorado Rockies (3) and Arizona Diamondbacks (3).
Likelihood?
Is that feasible? Maybe not. The Cubs have a 17-52 road record. They've lost eight consecutive road games. Since July 25, they've lost 17 of their past 18 road games.
Jeff Samardzija Ready To Be Shutdown?
The Cubs may finish the season without Jeff Samardzija. Samardzija has already pitched nearly twice as many innings as he did in 2011 (165.2 innings). The Cubs don't want to jeopardize his arm for a couple wins in a pennant-less season. They already have concerns with Matt Garza. They must consider the future.
103 Losses?
The Cubs' all-time single-season record for losses was set in 1962 and 1966. Each of those teams lost 103 games (59-103). To avoid that mark, the Cubs must finish with a 9-16 record.
Verdict
100 losses is almost a certainty. If the Cubs lose five of their next six road games, then 103 losses is very possible.
Do they have one hot streak left in them?
Joshua Huffman grew up in Michigan's Upper Peninsula as a Green Bay Packers and Chicago Cubs enthusiast. He immediately gained an admiration for Cubs fans after watching numerous games on WGN during the mid-90s. His favorite Cubs moment was Kerry Wood's(notes) 1-hitter, 20K extravaganza that was only denied of a no-hitter by Kevin Orie's defensive blunder. As a Packers and Cubs fan, he suffered through Steve Bartman and "4th & 26" in a span of three months. He can be found on Twitter HERE.
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