It’s early August, and the Chicago Cubs still have over 50 games left in the regular season. However, there’s something unusual about their upcoming schedule: they have no remaining games against the St. Louis Cardinals or the Milwaukee Brewers.
The Cubs completed their season series against the Cardinals last weekend, winning three of four at Wrigley Field to finish 6-7 against St. Louis. Their final series against the Brewers took place two weeks ago in late July, where Chicago lost two of three at home to Milwaukee.
This means no September matchups against either team, which feels off for division rivals. The MLB schedule-makers really missed the mark here, leaving Cubs fans disappointed.
When it comes to divisional games, the Cubs only have three series left against NL Central teams. They have six games against the Pittsburgh Pirates in late August and early September, and they’ll close out the season at home with three games against the Cincinnati Reds.
While the Pirates and Reds are respectable opponents, they don’t carry the same weight as the Brewers and Cardinals. Chicago vs. St. Louis is one of the oldest rivalries in professional sports, and Milwaukee has become a serious rival in recent years.
Now, Cubs fans won’t see either of these teams again until October at the earliest (if Chicago makes the playoffs) or 2025 at the latest. That’s a letdown for franchises with such deep ties and rich history.
September’s importance for the Cubs will depend on their performance in August, but it would have been exciting to see the Brewers and Cardinals one last time. Instead, Chicago fans can look forward to less thrilling series against the Colorado Rockies, Washington Nationals, and Oakland A’s.
On the plus side, at least the Cubs will have some easier games in September.
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