The Cubs are suffering a skid at the wrong time

Get hot at the right time. That's some portion of the battle. On paper, the Cubs' front office has done as many things as possible to field a playoff team, perhaps even one that's good enough to compete for a World Series title, but the difference between celebrating in October and going home emptyhanded is often whether a team is hot or not during those few weeks in the fall.

Based on how the Cubs finished August and have started September, it's fair to say they have spoiled a lot of golden opportunities.