So, the Cubs lost yet another game, their third in a row (following a six-game winning streak, because we can’t have nice things). For reasons explored last night, it was a particularly galling loss, and the Cubs failed to take advantage of the two not-so-good starters they faced in this four-game Pirates series. Now they get Gerrit Cole and Jameson Taillon. D’oh.
But the Cubs’ magic number to clinch the NL Central did go down anyway!
That’s because the Brewers got beat by the Reds yet again, blown out this time.
I like when this number goes down even when the Cubs lose. pic.twitter.com/7LFK49rNuL
— Brett Taylor (@BleacherNation) September 6, 2017
The Cardinals won last night, though, as they are not having trouble with the softest part of their schedule. They are now also at an elimination number of 21, though they have one fewer win than the Brewers. Each team has 67 losses to the Cubs’ 63.
The Cubs have a reasonably healthy 3.5/4.0-game lead over the Brewers and Cardinals at this stage in the season, but it sure feels even tighter than that, especially with so many head-to-head games remaining. The Cardinals are a little banged up right now, though, not unlike the Cubs.