The Cubs Can Now Win The Division And Knock The Cardinals Out Of The Playoffs

Jon Lester didn't have his best stuff and couldn't really command the strike zone either. He walked two in the first inning and faced a bases loaded situation with only one against the Pirates Thursday night to begin the game. A crucial game, as the Cubs entered the night with a 1/2 game lead in the division. But there was no panic from the veteran left-hander who now has a 2.10 ERA in September starts since signing with the Cubs, including his six-innings of shutout ball last night. When they've needed him the most, Lester has come through big for the Cubs. That was no different on Thursday, when he battled through control issues, but still delivered a quality start against Pittsburgh. He walked four, but only allowed three hits in those six scoreless innings. David Bote took care of the offensive production, driving in two runs with a two-out triple in the second. Daniel Murphy added an RBI-single in the fourth, making it only the second time in 12 starts since the all-star break that Pirates starter Trevor Williams allowed more than two earned runs in a game. After Lester's gritty performance, Steve Cishek, Carl Edwards Jr. and Jesse Chavez finished off the 3-0 shutout for the Cubs. The magic number to clinch the division is now down to three following Thursday's victory and the Cubs have a chance to repeat something they did last year, but this time at Wrigley Field. The regular season ends with a three-game series against the Cardinals, who are currently one game back of the Dodgers for the second Wild Card spot. In 2017, the Cubs played in St. Louis in their second to last series of the year. It was a four-game series and the Cubs had a chance to clinch the division. They accomplished that on Sept. 27, 2017, with a 5-1 win. The very next night the Cubs then eliminated the Cardinals from playoff contention.

Now, the Cubs can do it again this weekend at Wrigley Field. There are a few different scenarios that can happen, but obviously the easiest is for the Cubs to sweep. That wraps up the division and eliminates the Cardinals. The Brewers are one game back of the Cubs and will host the Tigers this weekend. So, Cubs fans will also be rooting for the Tigers this weekend.