The Chicago Cubs' playoff hopes are in the balance. After losing five of their last six games, the Cubs find themselves three games out of a National League Wild Card spot with just seven games to play.

Nothing has ever felt comfortable for the Cubs in 2019, even as far back as Spring Training. Questions about Joe Maddon's future were rampant when the team elected not to extend the veteran manager in the offseason.

Tension between Maddon and the front office has been apparent throughout the year, and there has been plenty of speculation that he will not return to the bench next season.

On Sunday, Cubs second baseman Ben Zobrist said that he would like to see the Maddon era continue in Chicago:

Zobrist has a long-standing relationship with Maddon, dating back to their days together with the Tampa Bay Rays. The veteran infielder is also in the final year of the four-year deal he signed with the Cubs in 2016, although his recent resurgence could mean that Zobrist will look to return in 2020.

Meanwhile, the frustration with Maddon's managerial style continues to build. Theo Epstein lamented the way the 2018 season ended, when the Cubs squandered their NL Central lead in September and then lost in the NL Wild Card Game against the Colorado Rockies.

Maddon drew the ire of fans early in the season for continuing to start the likes of Albert Almora — one of the least productive hitters in baseball this season — and struggling to manage an inconsistent group of relief pitchers.

Needless to say, Maddon's future is certainly in the balance.