From a standings perspective, it was finally a good day across the board. The Brewers, as lazy bums, did not play, so the Cubs’ win over the Nationals increased their lead in the Central to 1.5 games (still two in the loss column).
That means the Cubs’ magic number to clinch the Central also dipped by one:
It moved! pic.twitter.com/d82j51Mlxs
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) September 14, 2018
As we discussed yesterday, the Brewers’ remaining schedule sets them up for very smooth sailing, so the onus will be on the Cubs to do most of the work to shrink that number. The Brewers host the Pirates this weekend.
Meanwhile, the Cardinals lost last night to the Dodgers, pushing them 4.5 games back in the Central, where they still feel basically out of that particular race. *Maybe* if they were to win 90% of their games down the stretch including sweeping both the Brewers and Cubs in their final series, then it could happen. But that’s not likely.
Instead, it’s far more likely they continue to fight for that second Wild Card spot, their lead for which shrunk by a game against those Dodgers. Now the Dodgers are just a game back of the Cardinals, and a game and a half back of the Rockies in the West. The Diamondbacks are 4.0 games back of the Cardinals.
The Cardinals and Dodgers continue their weekend series tonight.