While the Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago Cubs continue to decide the NL Central Division, both teams sealed their spot in the MLB Postseason on Wednesday night. First, the Brewers hung on to the St. Louis Cardinals' number with a 2-1 victory at Busch Stadium. The win was their third straight over the Cardinals, who remain one game out of the final playoff spot, as the Brew-Crew clinched their first playoff spot since 2011. Jhoulys Chacin lasted five innings and allowed just one run for his 15th win of the season, completing the crucial road sweep.
Milwaukee entered the day 3.5 games ahead of the Colorado Rockies for the top Wild Card spot, and just a half-game out of the top spot in the NL Central. The Cardinals nearly came back to tie the game in the eighth inning, but pinch-runner Adolis Garcia slipped rounding third base after a wild throw from third baseman Mike Moustakas, causing him to get tagged out.
Travis Shaw had a pair of RBI singles in the win, as the Brewers celebrated the win with champagne in the locker room after the game. They did keep their minds on catching the Cubs in the Central, as outfielder Ryan Braun called the possibility of winning the division "huge." The last time Milwaukee was in the Postseason, they made it to the NLCS before getting eliminated in six games by the Cardinals. So it;s only fitting that they clinch against the Red-Birds this year, as they move on to host the Detroit Tigers this weekend.
Meanwhile, the Cubs followed suit by clinching a playoff spot with a thrilling 7-6 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field. Albert Almora Jr. had the walk-off RBI single in the 10th inning, as the Cubs remained a half-game ahead of the Brewers for first place in the NL Central. Almora's game-winning hit came with two outs in the inning, as the Cubs were actually helped out by Milwaukee's win to get in to the postseason.
It is the fourth straight playoff appearance for Chicago, as they will either host the NLDS or play in the NL Wild Card Game on Tuesday. They nearly blew Wednesday's game, as Starling Marte's two-run double in the ninth inning forced extra innings. Ian Happ led off the 10th with a walk, as his pinch-runner, Terrence Gore, score the winning run on Almora's single two batters later.
Jason Heyward went deep and drove in three for the Cubs, while Javier Baez singled home a run for his National League-leading 111th RBI. The Cubs did lead by as many as five runs, despite playing without third baseman Kris Bryant due to a bruised wrist. Jose Osuna and Corey Dickerson both hit home runs in the loss for the Pirates. Chicago will host the Cardinals this weekend, as both teams continue to have playoff implications on the line.
Milwaukee entered the day 3.5 games ahead of the Colorado Rockies for the top Wild Card spot, and just a half-game out of the top spot in the NL Central. The Cardinals nearly came back to tie the game in the eighth inning, but pinch-runner Adolis Garcia slipped rounding third base after a wild throw from third baseman Mike Moustakas, causing him to get tagged out.
Travis Shaw had a pair of RBI singles in the win, as the Brewers celebrated the win with champagne in the locker room after the game. They did keep their minds on catching the Cubs in the Central, as outfielder Ryan Braun called the possibility of winning the division "huge." The last time Milwaukee was in the Postseason, they made it to the NLCS before getting eliminated in six games by the Cardinals. So it;s only fitting that they clinch against the Red-Birds this year, as they move on to host the Detroit Tigers this weekend.
Meanwhile, the Cubs followed suit by clinching a playoff spot with a thrilling 7-6 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field. Albert Almora Jr. had the walk-off RBI single in the 10th inning, as the Cubs remained a half-game ahead of the Brewers for first place in the NL Central. Almora's game-winning hit came with two outs in the inning, as the Cubs were actually helped out by Milwaukee's win to get in to the postseason.
It is the fourth straight playoff appearance for Chicago, as they will either host the NLDS or play in the NL Wild Card Game on Tuesday. They nearly blew Wednesday's game, as Starling Marte's two-run double in the ninth inning forced extra innings. Ian Happ led off the 10th with a walk, as his pinch-runner, Terrence Gore, score the winning run on Almora's single two batters later.
Jason Heyward went deep and drove in three for the Cubs, while Javier Baez singled home a run for his National League-leading 111th RBI. The Cubs did lead by as many as five runs, despite playing without third baseman Kris Bryant due to a bruised wrist. Jose Osuna and Corey Dickerson both hit home runs in the loss for the Pirates. Chicago will host the Cardinals this weekend, as both teams continue to have playoff implications on the line.
