The Cubs lost yesterday, and nobody’s gonna feel good about that one. Sure, the Cubs probably coulda/shoulda had another run or two, but how much solace is that, really, when you’re talking about a total of maybe six or seven runs across an entire series against the Reds? It was bad.
But the day was not all bad, because the Pirates managed to beat the Brewers again, which means the Cubs held onto their 2.5-game division lead, and saw their magic number shrink again:
The Cubs now head to Arizona for a three-game set, while the Brewers welcome the Reds for three. The Diamondbacks are fighting for their playoff lives, while the Reds are … well … they were good enough to take one of three from the Cubs. I’d probably settle for that with respect to the Brewers.
Elsewhere, the Cardinals finally beat the Dodgers to avoid the four-game sweep, so they pulled back to within 5.5 games of the Cubs in the Central. More importantly/realistically to them, they pulled back into Wild Card position, tied with the Dodgers for that second spot. (The Dodgers are a half-game behind the Rockies in the West, so they are right there, too.)
The Diamondbacks, who lost to the Astros, are 4.0 games out of a Wild Card spot. The Phillies, who lost to the Marlins, are 5.0 games back. Both of those teams are 3-7 in their last ten. What a time to slump.
Oh, and I dread saying this, but I have to keep you apprised: the Cubs currently have a 4.0-game lead over the Braves for the top record in the NL, which would entitle them not only to home-field advantage through the NLCS, but also the opportunity to play the Wild Card winner in the NLDS (a team that would have just used its top starting pitcher in the one-gamer).
Those Braves will now host the Cardinals for three.