Rockies Defeat Cubs 9-5, Playoff Hopes Dim

The Chicago Cubs faced a crushing 9-5 defeat against the Colorado Rockies, significantly diminishing their already slim postseason hopes, now estimated at just 0.6%. Despite an early lead, the Cubs faltered due to poor pitching and missed scoring opportunities, highlighted by Hunter Goodman's grand slam that sealed the game in the eighth inning. Javier Assad showed resilience on the mound but allowed four runs, while Nate Pearson's home run rate raised concerns about his effectiveness as a reliever. The loss places the Cubs six games behind the Mets for the final NL wild card spot, prompting speculation about potential roster adjustments for 2025. As the Cubs evaluate their strategy, they must improve offensive execution and bullpen performance in their remaining games to avoid a disappointing end to the season. The team now turns its focus to upcoming games with a critical need for victories.