The Chicago Cubs clinched their second straight National League Central Division title with a 5-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals Wednesday night.
Stymied by Cardinals starter Michael Wacha, the Cubs failed to plate a single run through six innings. This changed when the onslaught began in the seventh, as Wacha was chased without even recording an out. Addison Russell's three-run home run was responsible for the bulk of the damage.
The Cubs are heading to the postseason for the third straight year for the first time since 1906-08. Incidentally, that was also the last time the Cubs managed to win back-to-back World Series championships.
Despite the game taking place at St. Louis' Busch Stadium, the crowd could be heard chanting “Let’s go Cubs” as closer Wade Davis went to work in the ninth inning. After allowing a two-out double to shortstop Paul DeJong, Davis induced a deep fly ball from Randal Grichuk to end the game.
The defeat complicates things greatly for the Cardinals, who sit 3 1/2 games back of an NL wild-card spot. Not only that, but the Milwaukee Brewers can now officially only make the playoffs by usurping the Colorado Rockies for the second wild-card position.
The Cubs had a losing record at the All-Star break (43-45) in mid-July before closing out the month on a 13-3 run, inching into first place in the division and never looking back.
With most of the playoff picture fully formed, the Cubs are now locked in to face the Washington Nationals in the NLDS.