The Chicago Cubs had the chance to control their playoff fate entering this past weekend's series against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Chicago trailed the Redbirds by three games in the National League Central division, but they still had seven games in hand against their rival, beginning with a four-game set at Wrigley Field. However, the Cubs would lose each of the four games by one run, almost entirely falling out of the NL playoff picture.

Aside from the devastating nature of the defeats and the notion that the Cubs would likely not be playing in October, speculation has increased that Joe Maddon is managing his final games for Chicago.

Maddon has managed the entire year on an expiring contract, and Cubs president Theo Epstein has openly voiced his displeasure on multiple occasions.

Should the Cubs and Maddon part ways, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports that the Los Angeles Angels would have an interest in bringing him in to replace Brad Ausmus:

According to major-league sources, the Angels would consider moving on from Brad Ausmus, 50, and bringing back Maddon, 65. Maddon spent 31 years in the Angels’ organization, the first 19 as a minor-league catcher, scout, manager and hitting instructor, the final 12 as a major-league coach and two-time interim manager.

Of course, the Angels are desperate to make significant changes to their club in order to supplement Mike Trout, who is the best player in baseball and under contract for the next 11 seasons.

The Angels have been rumored to be pursuing the likes of Gerrit Cole and other free agents in the offseason, but it also appears that they might look to Maddon to help steer the franchise in the right direction.

This is all pending a split between Maddon and the Cubs, but given their past history, it would not be a surprise if Maddon ended up with the Angels.