Although I recognize the appeal of simply asking the Cubs to “take care of their own business” in order to hold onto a divisional lead and land in the postseason, we can’t just ignore the reality that if the teams behind them are smoking hot for a long, long time, it makes the Cubs’ job all the more challenging.
So, then, while I greatly appreciate the Cubs taking advantage of a soft spot in their schedule and winning a fourth straight game yesterday, I also greatly appreciate the two teams behind them in the NL Central taking a moment to lose a game.
The Cardinals took a tight one against the Rockies into the late innings, but wound up giving up eight runs in the 8th inning to get thumped 9-1. The Brewers did not play an especially close one against the Pirates, and ultimately also lost 9-1.
Thus, the Cubs’ NL Central lead bumped up to 4.0 games over the Cardinals (five in the loss column), and 4.5 games over the Brewers (six in the loss column). It isn’t yet insurmountable or anything like that, but it’s enough to give me a goofy-looking, badly-drawn smile this morning.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bm8bwLejJnR/?taken-by=bleachernation
The Cardinals and Brewers still hold the Wild Card spots, BUT the Brewers are now tied with the Rockies (or Diamondbacks – they’re tied atop the NL West) for that second Wild Card spot. Pretty nuts races going on there right now.
The Cubs finish up with the Reds this afternoon, and the Cardinals and Brewers finish up with the Rockies and Pirates, respectively.