Chicago Cubs Idle But Get Help in NL Playoff Chase
The Chicago Cubs were idle on Monday, but they got just a little bit of help in both the NL Central race and the NL Wild Card race.
First, the Milwaukee Brewers lost to the St. Louis Cardinals, 1-0. That means the Brewers’ magic number to clinch the NL Central held steady at seven. The Cubs are still a long-shot to catch them, but at least the chance still exists.
As for the Wild Card race, the Cubs moved into the final Wild Card spot by themselves after the Miami Marlins lost to the New York Mets. The Marlins and the Cubs were tied for the final Wild Card spot going into Monday’s games.
The Cubs are tied with the Reds for the final spot. But, for the moment, they have the spot because of winning percentage. In fact, Chicago (.52000) holds the berth and Cincinnati (.51974) is that close.
The Cubs get back to action on Tuesday against the Pirates.
Below is an update on the race, with the current standings, magic numbers to clinch the NL Central and a Wild Card berth, along with the remaining schedules for the teams that are still in the race.
The NL Central Race as of Sept. 19
Sunday’s Results
St. Louis 1, Milwaukee 0
Chicago Cubs, idle
Standings
Milwaukee (84-66): — (Magic Number to clinch NL Central: 7)
Chicago Cubs (78-72): 6.0 GB
What’s Left?
Milwaukee (12): Tuesday-Thursday: at St. Louis (4); Friday-Sunday: at Miami (3); Sept. 26-28: vs. St. Louis (3); Sept. 29-Oct. 1: vs. Chicago Cubs (3)
Chicago Cubs (12): Tuesday-Thursday: vs. Pittsburgh (3); Friday-Sunday: vs. Colorado (3); Sept. 26-28: at Atlanta (3); Sept. 29-Oct. 1: at Milwaukee (3)
The NL Wild Card Race as of Sept. 19
Monday’s Results
Philadelphia 7, Atlanta 1
Cincinnati 7, Minnesota 3
New York Mets 2, Miami 1
Chicago Cubs, idle
Arizona, idle
San Francisco, idle
Standings
(Top three teams clinch Wild Card berths)
Philadelphia (82-68): +4.0 Games (Magic Number to clinch: 9)
Arizona (79-72): — +0.5 Games (Magic Number to clinch: 12)
Chicago Cubs (78-72): — (Magic Number to clinch: 12)
Cincinnati (79-73): —
Miami (78-73): — 0.5 GB
San Francisco (76-74): — 2.0 GB
Note: Cubs have the final Wild Card berth by percentage points if the season were to end today.
What’s Left?
Philadelphia (12): Tuesday-Wednesday: at Atlanta (2); Thursday-Sunday: vs. New York Mets (4); Sept. 26-28: vs. Pittsburgh (3); Sept. 29-Oct. 1: at New York Mets (3)
Chicago Cubs (12): Tuesday-Thursday: vs. Pittsburgh (3); Friday-Sunday: vs. Colorado (3); Sept. 26-28: at Atlanta (3); Sept. 29-Oct. 1: at Milwaukee (3)
Arizona (11): Tuesday-Wednesday: vs. San Francisco (2); Friday-Sunday: at New York Yankees (3); Sept. 25-27: at Chicago White Sox (3); Sept. 29-Oct. 1: vs. Houston (3)
Cincinnati (10): Tuesday-Wednesday: vs. Minnesota (2); Friday-Sunday: vs. Pittsburgh (3); Sept. 26-27: at Cleveland (2); Sept. 29-Oct. 1: at St. Louis (3)
Miami (11): Tuesday-Wednesday: vs. New York Mets (2); Friday-Sunday: vs. Milwaukee (3); Sept. 26-28: at New York Mets (3); Sept. 29-Oct. 1: at Pittsburgh (3)
San Francisco (12): Tuesday-Wednesday: at Arizona (2); Thursday-Sunday: at Los Angeles Dodgers (4); Sept. 25-27: vs. San Diego (3); Sept. 29-Oct. 1: vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (3)
