You know, I thought I was going to wake up feeling a little tense about the Cubs’ lead in the NL Central, but … I just don’t. I’m feeling a little froggy. A little rosy. I’m feeling pretty good.
But, yeah, beating the Brewers last night was pretty much required for my health. If you’re bad at math, last night’s win was ultimately the difference between the Cubs’ current (and relatively large) 4-game lead in the NL Central and just a tiny 2-game lead, which would’ve certainly had me on the edge. We’re simply at the point in the year where every win matters and my heart rate/blood pressure can confirm that. And, of course, that’s especially true, considering that the Cubs have just three games left against Milwaukee this season – starting Monday.
But here’s the good news: if the Cubs can manage to simply hold the current 4.0 game lead over the weekend, they can head into their Brewers series without the risk of dropping out of first. That would do a lot to ease the tension of that series. Thankfully, it’s at Wrigley Field too, so that should help.
Of course, there’s always the Cardinals, and they won again last night. Sigh. They trail the Brewers by just a half-game, but both teams are five losses back of the Cubs in the standings. The Cubs play the Cardinals in three games at the end of the month/season, but I am very much hoping they aren’t games of consequence.
After all, the Cubs magic number did trickle down again last night:
Good morning to everybody, but especially Matt Murton: pic.twitter.com/s8dzpNzPMQ
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) September 6, 2018
The Brewers and Cardinals both hold Wild Card slots, with Milwaukee up a half-game on St. Louis and St. Louis up 2.0 games on the Dodgers. The Diamondbacks, meanwhile, are just a half-game behind the Dodgers, so it’s really anybody’s game.