Cubs Moving in For the Kill with Division Title Only One Win Away

The Chicago Cubs (93-52) have been doing it all season – not exactly unexpectedly – and tonight they did it again. They won, beating the St. Louis Cardinals by the score of 7-0 (Box Score) and they did it in all aspects of the game. A sort of statement win, if you will, for a team on the verge of clinching the National League Central division title. The win today brings them one win – or loss by St. Louis – away from the title they haven’t held for eight years.

Today, Jon Lester (17-4, 2.40 ERA) was in control. He did not falter, he did not sway. Not a single Cardinals’ batter reached second base today. Oh, they tried, believe me, they tried. The end result on their two attempts to reach second was getting gunned down by Mr. David Ross, both attemped steals. Run on Jon Lester means run on Jon Lester and David Ross. If teams want to try, they just got a little taste today of what they can expect.

While the Cardinals could barely get on base, the Cubs were spraying hits – 12 in total – along with one walk.

Jon Lester drove in the first run with a one-out single in the top of the third inning to drive in Javy Baez. In the top of the fifth inning David Ross crushed a two-run home run to deep center field. That gave the Cubs a 3-0 lead and their offense was only starting to click.

Anthony Rizzo crushed two home runs to right field, both line shots, driving in three runs in the process. Kris Bryant added to the offense with a triple in the ninth inning to drive in Jorge Soler. The Cubs finished 2-for-6 with runners in scoring position. They also had five extra base hits in the rout.

Stats that matter

• Lester. Domination. – 8.0IP, 0R, 3H, 1BB, 8Ks, 104 pitches
• Rizzo – 2-for-5, 2R, 3RBI, 2HRs
• Jason Heyward just broke a string of 7 straight games without a hit – 2-for-3, 1R, 1BB
• David freakin’ Ross – 1-for-4, 1R, 2RBI

Bottom line

So here we are my friends. The time has come to prepare to celebrate something that the Cubs have been preparing for ever since that first game against the Brewers in spring training. The Cubs are one win away from the first major goal of the season – win the National League Central Division title. There’s gonna be a party at Wrigley everybody!! Meet ya there!

Next up

The Cubs can clinch with a win on Thursday against the Brewers. The game time is 7:05 PM CT and Mike Montgomery (4-5, 2.74 ERA) will be pitching for the Cubs.