4 Cubs storylines to watch down the stretch

This story was excerpted from Jordan Bastian's Cubs Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

CHICAGO -- The Cubs are getting closer to punching their ticket to the postseason for the first time in five years, with the National League Wild Card race the most likely path to the October stage. As things currently stand, the North Siders would host games at Wrigley Field for the first round.

How the Cubs’ part in the playoff race shapes up -- as well as whether the Brewers can maintain their grip on the NL Central lead -- will be the primary storyline to watch over the final two weeks of this season. Here are four other things to monitor while Chicago looks to lock up its spot in the postseason:

1. Kyle Tucker’s return

Early this season, the Cubs’ offense as a whole was thriving while Tucker was playing at an MVP-candidate level. There seemed to be a clear impact not only by his own production, but Tucker’s influence on the overall functionality of the lineup. If Chicago wants to last deep into October, having Tucker back and producing is crucial.

Entering Sunday, the Cubs were averaging 4.96 runs per game with Tucker in the lineup and 4.25 runs without him. Looking at a more recent sample: the North Siders averaged 4.92 runs with a .252 average and .768 OPS with Tucker from Aug. 21-Sept. 2, and then averaged 4.0 runs with a .228 average and .707 OPS without him since Sept. 3. Thanks to MLB.com’s Jared Greenspan for the research assist there.

Tucker is currently on the injured list due to a left calf strain, but could be cleared to start testing things out again with running and agility work this week in Pittsburgh. If that goes well, the outfielder might see a quick ramp back to the lineup, giving him a run of games down the stretch to regain his rhythm ahead of October.

2. Cade Horton’s ROY push

Horton had a 4.80 ERA after allowing seven runs in a four-inning loss to the Astros back on June 27. The rookie was blunt in his self-assessment after that outing and has since made an incredible course correction for the Cubs. Since July 1, the righty has spun a 1.25 ERA, ranking first in the Majors among pitchers with at least 50 innings. Horton will have at least two more outings to keep building his case as the NL Rookie of the Year.

3. PCA’s quest for 30-30

Sammy Sosa is the only Cubs player to finish a season with at least 30 homers and 30 steals, achieving the feat in 1993 and again in ‘95. Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong looked like a shoo-in to join him after collecting 27 homers and 28 homers in his first 100 games this season. Crow-Armstrong has endured a tough second half and has just one homer and six steals in his last 44 games. The center fielder needs just two home runs to join Sosa.

4. Daniel Palencia’s comeback bid

On the pitching front, there is obviously the discussion around how the Cubs will line up their rotation for a postseason series. In the bullpen, however, Chicago is waiting to see if Palencia can make a comeback in time for the playoffs. Palencia injured his right shoulder on Sept. 7 and landed on the IL. He has since resumed throwing and will test things on a mound this week. If Palencia can return, that is a big arm back to help a relief corps with no clear closer at the moment.