The Chicago Cubs — that’s right, the Chicago Cubs! — are baseball’s very best team, at least for now.

Nicknamed the “Lovable Losers,” the Cubbies haven’t won a World Series since 1908, which was eight years before they moved into quaint Wrigley Field on Chicago’s North Side.

Now aided by a notable cadre of black players, the Cubs are getting even for past torment.

The now fierce Cubs became the first team to clinch a playoff berth on Sept. 15. They also are on pace to win at least 100 games (94-53 with 15 left on Sept. 17) and will surely earn top seed for the National League playoffs.

A first World Series crown since President Theodore Roosevelt’s administration sits in their crosshairs.

Here’s a review of the Cubbies’ history of black players through the decades, and a look at today’s power-packed lineup:

The past

The franchise’s first black player was Ernie Banks in 1953. He became known as “Mr. Cub” and “Mr. Sunshine.” From Dallas, the shortstop/first baseman was a 14-time All-Star and two-time league Most Valuable Player while walloping 512 home runs.

Banks, easily the most beloved Cubbie ever, was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977.

Other African-American hall of famers wearing the Cubs’ blue pinstripes:

Lou Brock, Andre Dawson, Monte Irvin, Fergie Jenkins and Billy Williams.

Bullpen ace Lee Smith retired as baseball’s all-time saves leader in 2006, but has yet to enter the hall of fame.

Present headliners

Aroldis “Cuban Missile” Chapman:The fastest pitcher in big league history was acquired from the New York Yankees on July 25. The southpaw’s hummer was clocked at a record 105.1 mph in 2011 and averages 100-plus.

A Cuban defector in 2010, he had fanned 627 in 372 career innings entering last weekend. With the Cubs, he has 14 saves, 1.25 ERA and 34 whiffs in 22 frames.

Addison Russell: The 22-year-old Floridian was the National League’s starting All-Star shortstop. He had 20 homers, 91 RBI entering week. Coincidentally, Wrigley Field is on West Addison Street in Chicago.

Dexter Fowler: The 30-year-old Georgian ranks with elite centerfielders. Originally drafted by Colorado, Fowler switched from hitting right-handed to exclusively left-handed on the pro level.

Jason “J-Hey Kid” Heyward: The 6-foot-5, 240-pound, left-handed right fielder originally was a first round draft choice of Atlanta. The son of Dartmouth graduates is in first year with the Cubs after stints in Atlanta and St. Louis.

Jorge Soler: The muscular Cuban defector adds plenty of power as a rotating outfielder. Just 24, he is in his third season with the Cubs.

Carl “String Bean Slinger” Edwards: The South Carolinian is the right-handed bullpen equivalent of Chapman. The 6-foot-3, 170-pounder fanned 41 in the first 30 innings with 2.70 ERA.

Willson Contreras: Sharing catching duties, the 25-year-old Venezuelan rookie socked nine homers in his first 221 at-bats.

Javier Baez: Fleet and versatile defensively, the Jacksonville, Fla., native has added 13 homers, 50 RBI and 12 stolen bases coming off the bench. He is a former first round draft choice.

Cubs baseball has been more associated with Wrigley’s ivy-covered outfield fence, hand-turned scoreboard, rambunctious “Bleacher Bums,” rooftop seating atop adjacent apartments — and for a long, long time, with continued futility on the diamond.

Those times have changed.