1

Hey hey! The Cubs beat the Reds 9-1 on Sunday, lowering their Wild Card CMN to 1!

One more Cubs win or Arizona loss would clinch a Wild Card berth!

Top WC & Home Field:  6

Wild Card:  1

156 games down, 6 to go!

Go Cubs go!

2

Holy cow! The Cubs beat the Reds 5-2 on Saturday behind a nice start from Matt Boyd (5 IP, 1 ER, 4 K) and home runs from Michael Busch and Dansby Swanson!

Cubs Magic Numbers:

•Top Wild Card & Home Field:  7

•Wild Card:  2

The series wraps up Sunday in Cincinnati.

The North Siders sit atop the NL Wild Card race, as they have the same record as San Diego but hold the tiebreaker (a 5-1 record in the season series) and a one game lead over Philadelphia, against whom they also hold the tiebreaker.

They hold a five game lead over Arizona for the final Wild Card berth, and they also hold the tiebreaker against the D-backs.

155 games down, 7 to go!

Go Cubs go!

2016 World Series Champion Tommy LaStella

3

Friday in the NL playoff race:  Cubs lose, Phillies lose, Arizona loses, Miami loses, and San Diego wins.

Cubs Magic Numbers:

1st Wild Card & Home Field:  8
Wild Card:  3

See this post for CMN calculation details. 

Here's how the Cubs' remaining schedule shapes up: 

2 at Cincinnati
3 vs. Miami
3 at Boston

The Cubs currently sit atop the NL Wild Card race and its benefit of home field for all NLWCS games since they hold the tiebreakers against the Phillies and Padres; all three teams have identical records.

The North Siders sit five games ahead of Arizona for the final Wild Card berth, and they hold the tiebreaker there as well with a 4-2 record against the Diamondbacks.

154 games down, 8 to go.

Go Cubs go!

5

Hey hey! The Cubs beat Atlanta 8-4 on Wednesday behind a quality start from Shota Imanaga (6 IP, 1 ER, 8 K), two home runs from Pete Crow-Armstrong, and 4 RBI from Alex Bregman!

 

PCA went 3-for-4 with two HRs, a walk, and a triple while Bregman also went 3-for-4 with a home run, double, and a triple.

 

Meanwhile, the Phillies and Padres won while the Diamondbacks lost to the Marlins.

 

Cubs Magic Numbers:

1st Wild Card & Home Field:  9
Wild Card:  5

See this post for CMN calculation details. 

Here's how the Cubs' remaining schedule shapes up: 

3 at 71-81 Cincinnati
3 vs. 76-77 Miami
3 at 82-70 Boston

The Cubs currently sit atop the NL Wild Card race and its benefit of home field for all NLWCS games, 1/2 game ahead of the Phillies. They also hold the tiebreaker (a 6-1 record in the season series).

 

The North Siders sit five games ahead of Arizona for the final Wild Card berth, and they hold the tiebreaker there as well with a 4-2 record against the Diamondbacks.

 

153 games down, 9 to go.

Go Cubs go!

 

2016 World Series Champion Albert Almora

 

Tonight's Ballgame!
Image Credit:  CMN Regular Fally 

6

Tuesday in the NL playoff hunt:  Cubs lose to the Braves, Phillies lose, Arizona loses, and the Brewers clinch the Central.

 

Cubs Magic Numbers:

1st Wild Card & Home Field:  10
Wild Card:  6

See this post for CMN calculation details. 

Here's how the Cubs' remaining schedule shapes up: 

1 vs. 89-63 Atlanta
3 at 70-81 Cincinnati
3 vs. 75-77 Miami
3 at 82-69 Boston

The Cubs currently sit atop the NL Wild Card race and its benefit of home field for all NLWCS games, 1/2 game ahead of the Phillies. They also hold the tiebreaker (a 6-1 record in the season series).

 

The North Siders sit four games ahead of Arizona for the final Wild Card berth, and they hold the tiebreaker there as well with a 4-2 record against the Diamondbacks.

 

152 games down, 10 to go.

Go Cubs go!

 

2016 World Series Champion Carl Edwards, Jr.

7

Holy mackerel! The Cubs beat the Braves 7-3 on Monday behind a nice start from David Peterson (6 IP, 1 ER, 7 K) and a 4-for-5 night (HR, 2B, SB, 4 RBI) from Pete Crow-Armstrong!

 

PCA's homer was his 42nd of the season, and his stolen base was his 37th. With that homer, Pete ties Hall of Famer Billy Williams for the most home runs in a season by a left-handed Cubs hitter. Sweet Swinging Billy accomplished the feat in 1970.

 

Cubs Magic Numbers:

Division:  22
1st Wild Card & Home Field:  11
Wild Card:  7

See this post for CMN calculation details. 

Here's how the Cubs' remaining schedule shapes up: 

2 vs. 88-62 Atlanta
3 at 70-80 Cincinnati
3 vs. 74-76 Miami
3 at 82-68 Boston

The Cubs currently sit atop the NL Wild Card race and its benefit of home field for all NLWCS games, 1/2 game ahead of the Phillies. They also hold the tiebreaker (a 6-1 record in the season series).

 

The North Siders sit 4.5 games ahead of Arizona for the final Wild Card berth, and they hold the tiebreaker there as well with a 4-2 record against the Diamondbacks.

 

And in the Central, the Men in Blue are 9.5 games back of Milwaukee, whose magic number to win the division is down to two.

151 games down, 11 to go.

Go Cubs go!

 

  

Image Credits (from tonight's game!):  Fally, a CMN Regular

Happy birthday, Fally! 

 

8

Sunday in the NL Wild Card race:  Cubs lose to the Bucs 4-3, Phillies beat Atlanta, Arizona loses to Texas, and San Diego plays at San Francisco tonight. Arizona's loss dropped the CMN for a Wild Card berth!

 

Cubs Magic Numbers:

Division:  23
1st Wild Card & Home Field:  12
Wild Card:  8

See this post for CMN calculation details. 

Here's how the Cubs' remaining schedule shapes up: 

3 vs. 88-61 Atlanta
3 at 69-79 Cincinnati
3 vs. 73-76 Miami
3 at 81-68 Boston

The Cubs currently sit atop the NL Wild Card race and its benefit of home field for all NLWCS games, as they have the same record as the Phillies but hold the tiebreaker (a 6-1 record in the season series).

 

The North Siders sit four games ahead of Arizona for the final Wild Card berth, and they hold the tiebreaker there as well with a 4-2 record against the Diamondbacks.

 

And in the Central, the Men in Blue are ten games back of Milwaukee, whose magic number to win the division is down to two.

148 games down, 12 to go.

Go Cubs go!

Hall of Famer and Cubs Legend Andre Dawson

9

Hey hey! The Cubs came back to beat the Bucs 4-3 on Saturday behind a 2-for-3 day from Pedro Ramirez (HR, 2B, 2 R) and 3.1 scoreless relief innings from the 'pen!

 

Clay Holmes went 5 2/3 innings (6 K, 2 ER), giving up a three-run homer that gave Pittsburgh a 3-2 lead. But Ramirez led off the 8th with a double, and two hit batsmen and two walks later, the North Siders regained the lead. Michael Busch also homered for the Men in Blue.

In relief, Jacob Webb, Ryan Rolison, and Ryan Zeferjahn held the Bucs to just one hit.

Cubs Magic Numbers:

Division:  24
1st Wild Card & Home Field:  12
Wild Card:  9

See this post for CMN calculation details. 

Here's how the Cubs' remaining schedule shapes up: 

1 vs. 74-75 Pittsburgh
3 vs. 88-61 Atlanta
3 at 69-79 Cincinnati
3 vs. 73-76 Miami
3 at 81-68 Boston

The Cubs currently hold the top Wild Card berth and its benefit of home field for all NLWCS games, with a one game lead over the Phillies going into Saturday night's action.

 

The North Siders sit four games ahead of Arizona for the final Wild Card berth, and they hold the tiebreaker there as well with a 4-2 record against the Diamondbacks.

 

And in the Central, the Men in Blue are ten games back of Milwaukee, whose magic number to win the division is down to three.

149 games down, 13 to go.

Go Cubs go!

 

2016 World Series Champion Javier Baez

10

Hey hey! The Cubs came back to beat the Bucs 4-3 on Saturday behind a 2-for-3 day from Pedro Ramirez (HR, 2B, 2 R) and 3.1 scoreless relief innings from the 'pen!

 

Clay Holmes went 5 2/3 innings (6 K, 2 ER), giving up a three-run homer that gave Pittsburgh a 3-2 lead. But Ramirez led off the 8th with a double, and two hit batsmen and two walks later, the North Siders regained the lead. Michael Busch also homered for the Men in Blue.

In relief, Jacob Webb, Ryan Rolison, and Ryan Zeferjahn held the Bucs to just one hit.

Cubs Magic Numbers:

Division:  24
1st Wild Card & Home Field:  13
Wild Card:  10

See this post for CMN calculation details. 

Here's how the Cubs' remaining schedule shapes up: 

1 vs. 74-75 Pittsburgh
3 vs. 86-61 Atlanta
3 at 69-77 Cincinnati
3 vs. 72-75 Miami
3 at 80-67 Boston

The Cubs currently hold the top Wild Card berth and its benefit of home field for all NLWCS games, with a 1/2 game lead over the Phillies going into Saturday night's action.

 

The North Siders sit 3.5 games ahead of Arizona for the final Wild Card berth, and they hold the tiebreaker there as well with a 4-2 record against the Diamondbacks.

 

And in the Central, the Men in Blue are 9.5 games back of Milwaukee, who have the best record in MLB.

149 games down, 13 to go.

Go Cubs go!

 

Hall of Famer and Cubs Legend Ron Santo

11

(Since the odds for the Cubs winning the NL Central remain ridiculously low – the Brewers' magic number to win the division is 4 while the Cubs' is 25 – the CMN atop this post refers to the Cubs making the playoffs via a Wild Card berth.)

Friday in the NL pennant race:  Cubs beat the Pirates 12-2, Arizona and San Diego both won, and the Phillies lost, lowering the CMN for the top wild card berth to 14.

Cubs Magic Numbers:

Division:  25
1st Wild Card & Home Field:  14
Wild Card:  11

See this post for CMN calculation details. 

Here's how the Cubs' remaining schedule shapes up: 

2 vs. 74-74 Pittsburgh
3 vs. 86-61 Atlanta
3 at 69-77 Cincinnati
3 vs. 72-75 Miami
3 at 80-67 Boston

The Cubs currently hold the top Wild Card berth and its benefit of home field for all NLWCS games, as they have the same record as Philadelphia but hold the tiebreaker:  a 6-1 mark in the regular season series against the Phillies.

 

The North Siders sit three games ahead of Arizona for the final Wild Card berth, and they hold the tiebreaker there as well with a 4-2 record against the Diamondbacks.

 

And in the Central, the Men in Blue are 10 games back of Milwaukee, who have the best record in MLB.

148 games down, 14 to go.

Go Cubs go!

 

2016 World Series Champion Coach John Mallee

25

Holy cow! The Cubs beat the Bucs 12-2 on Friday behind three hits apiece from Seiya Suzuki and Alex Bregman, three RBI from Michael Busch, and a quality start from Shota Imanaga (6 IP, 2 ER, 4 K)!

 

The Cubs were down 1-0 after one inning but put up three, two, and four runs in the next three innings to take a 9-1 lead. Assad, Palencia, and Thornton combined for three innings of scoreless relief to finish the game for the North Siders.

 

Cubs Magic Numbers:

Division:  25
1st Wild Card & Home Field:  15
Wild Card:  11

See this post for CMN calculation details. 

Here's how the Cubs' remaining schedule shapes up: 

2 vs. 74-74 Pittsburgh
3 vs. 86-61 Atlanta
3 at 69-77 Cincinnati
3 vs. 72-75 Miami
3 at 80-67 Boston

The Cubs currently sit 9.5 games back of Milwaukee in the Central, 1/2 game behind Philadelphia in the race for the top Wild Card berth and its benefit of home field for all NLWCS games, and 3.5 games ahead of Arizona for the final Wild Card berth. They currently hold in the second Wild Card berth.

148 games down, 14 to go.

Go Cubs go!

2016 World Series Champion Coach John Mallee

26

Thursday in the NL race:  the Cubs, Brewers, Diamondbacks, and Marlins were idle while the Phillies lost to Houston, dropping the CMN for the top NL Wild Card berth!

 

Cubs Magic Numbers:

Division:  26
1st Wild Card & Home Field:  16
Wild Card:  12

See this post for CMN calculation details. 

Here's how the Cubs' remaining schedule shapes up: 

3 vs. 73-73 Pittsburgh
3 vs. 86-61 Atlanta
3 at 69-77 Cincinnati
3 vs. 72-75 Miami
3 at 80-67 Boston

The Cubs currently sit ten games back of Milwaukee in the Central, one game behind Philadelphia in the race for the top Wild Card berth and its benefit of home field for all NLWCS games, and three games ahead of Arizona for the final Wild Card berth.

147 games down, 15 to go.

Go Cubs go!

 

Image Credit:  Chicago Cubs

 

26

Wednesday in the NL pennant race:  Cubs lose to Milwaukee, Phillies beat Houston, Padres beat the Nats, and Arizona lost to the Royals, lowering the CMN for a Wild Card berth to 12!

Cubs Magic Numbers:

Division:  26
1st Wild Card & Home Field:  17
Wild Card:  12

See this post for CMN calculation details. 

Here's how the Cubs' remaining schedule shapes up: 

3 vs. 71-73 Pittsburgh
3 vs. 85-61 Atlanta
3 at 69-76 Cincinnati

3 vs. 72-75 Miami

3 at 80-67 Boston

The Cubs currently sit ten games back of Milwaukee in the Central, 1.5 games behind Philadelphia in the race for the top Wild Card berth and its benefit of home field for all NLWCS games, and three games ahead of Arizona for the final Wild Card berth.

147 games down, 15 to go.

Go Cubs go! 

2016 World Series Champions Jason Heyward and Kyle Schwarber

 

26

Sunday in the NL pennant race:  Cubs lose to Miami, Brewers lose to the Reds, Arizona and San Diego both win.

 

Pete Crow-Armstrong hit his 40th home run of the season, becoming the first Cub to hit 40 since Derrek Lee in 2005 and the first left-handed Cub to hit 40 since Billy Williams in 1970. He is seven steals away from becoming MLB's seventh member of the 40/40 club, along with Jose Canseco, Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, Alfonso Soriano, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Shohei Ohtani.

 

Cubs Magic Numbers:

Division:  26
1st Wild Card & Home Field:  18
Wild Card:  13

See this post for CMN calculation details. 

 

Here's how the Cubs' remaining nine home games and nine road games shape up: 

 

3 at 88-56 Milwaukee

3 vs. 71-73 Pittsburgh
3 vs. 85-58 Atlanta
3 at 69-74 Cincinnati

3 vs. 72-72 Miami

3 at 79-65 Boston

The Cubs currently sit seven games back of Milwaukee in the Central, 1/2 game ahead of Philadelphia in the race for the top Wild Card berth and its benefit of home field for all NLWCS games, and five games ahead of Arizona for the final Wild Card berth.
 
144 games down, 18 to go.
 
Go Cubs go! 

  

MLB Hall of Famer Billy Williams

 

27

Holy mackerel! The Cubs beat Miami 6-5 on Saturday behind Ryan Zeferjahn's first save as a Cub, two RBI from Ian Happ, and a Michael Conforto home run, the team's 200th of the season! It was the third straight win for Chicago.

Ryan Rolison and Zeferjahn combined for 2.1 innings of scoreless relief to secure the win for the North Siders, who wrap up the series tomorrow before heading to Milwaukee on Monday to kick off a three-game set.

 

Cubs Magic Numbers:

Division:  27
1st Wild Card & Home Field:  19
Wild Card:  13

See this post for CMN calculation details. 

 

Here's how the remainder of the season shapes up:
 

4 vs. 71-72 Miami (1 road, 3 home)
3 at 88-55 Milwaukee
3 vs. 70-73 Pittsburgh
3 vs. 84-58 Atlanta
3 at 68-74 Cincinnati
3 at 78-65 Boston

The Cubs currently sit seven games back of Milwaukee in the NL Central, 1/2 game ahead of Philadelphia in the race for the top NL Wild Card berth and its benefit of home field for all NLWCS games, and six games ahead of Arizona for the final NL Wild Card berth.
 
143 games down, 19 to go.
 
Go Cubs go! 

 

Image Credit:  Chicago Cubs

 

29

Hey hey! The Cubs beat Miami 6-1 on Friday behind a quality start from Shota Imanaga (6 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 4 K), three scoreless relief innings from Aaron Civale, a Michael Busch home run, three hits from Nico Hoerner, and a spectacular catch at the wall by Pete Crow-Armstrong!

 

PCA also scored twice and swiped another bag, inching him closer to a rare 40/40 season. He currently has 39 home runs and 33 stolen bases.

 

Imanaga induced 17 whiffs as Carson Kelly changed up his technique, holding his mitt about a foot above the strike zone, and as Shota relied heavily on his splitter.

 

Cubs Magic Numbers: 

Division:  29
Top Wild Card & Home Field:  20
Wild Card:  14

See this post for CMN calculation details.
 
Here's how the remainder of the season shapes up:
 

5 vs. 70-70 Miami (2 road, 3 home)
3 at 88-54 Milwaukee
3 vs. 70-72 Pittsburgh
3 vs. 84-57 Atlanta
3 at 67-74 Cincinnati
3 at 77-65 Boston

The Cubs currently sit eight games back of Milwaukee in the NL Central, 1/2 game ahead of Philadelphia in the race for the top NL Wild Card berth and its benefit of home field for all NLWCS games, and six games ahead of Arizona for the final NL Wild Card berth.
 
142 games down, 20 to go.
 
Go Cubs go!

 

Image Credit:  Chicago Cubs

30

Holy mackerel! The Cubs held on to beat Milwaukee 2-1 on Thursday night behind a dominant start from Kevin Gausman (7 IP, 1 ER, 9 K) and a two-run homer from August NL Player of the Month Pete Crow-Armstrong!

 

Armstrong's blast was his 39th of the season and came in the 3rd inning. Ryan Zeferjahn tossed a 1-2-3 8th and Ryan Rolison went 1-2-3 in the 9th to earn the save.

 

Cubs Magic Numbers:

    Division:  30
    Top Wild Card & Home Field:  22
    Wild Card:  16  

See this post for CMN calculation details.
 
Here's how the remainder of the season shapes up:
 

6 vs. 70-69 Miami (3 road, 3 home)
3 at 87-54 Milwaukee
3 vs. 69-72 Pittsburgh (home)
3 vs. 83-57 Atlanta (home)
3 at 67-73 Cincinnati
3 at 75-65 Boston

The Cubs currently sit eight games back of Milwaukee in the NL Central, 1/2 game behind Philadelphia in the race for the top NL Wild Card berth and its benefit of home field for all NLWCS games, and 5.5 games ahead of San Diego for the final NL Wild Card berth.
 
139 games down, 21 to go.
 
Go Cubs go! 

 

2016 World Series Champion Coach Brandon Hyde

 

32

Wednesday in the NL:  Cubs dropped another frustrating one to Milwaukee while Arizona beat Philadelphia. Philly's loss dropped the CMN for the top Wild Card berth!
 
Cubs Magic Numbers:

    Division:  32
    Top Wild Card & Home Field:  23
    Wild Card:  17  

See this post for CMN calculation details.
 
Here's how the remainder of the season shapes up:
 

4 vs. 87-53 Milwaukee (1 home, 3 road)
6 vs. 70-69 Miami (3 + 3)
3 vs. 68-71 Pittsburgh (home)
3 vs. 82-57 Atlanta (home)
3 at 66-73 Cincinnati
3 at 75-64 Boston

The Cubs currently sit nine games back of Milwaukee in the NL Central, a game behind Philadelphia in the race for the top NL Wild Card berth and its benefit of home field for all NLWCS games, and five games ahead of San Diego for the final NL Wild Card berth.
 
140 games down, 22 to go.
 
Go Cubs go!

 

2016 World Series Champion and NL MVP Kris Bryant

 

32

Tuesday in the NL:  Cubs dropped a frustrating one to Milwaukee while the Phillies beat Arizona. The Diamondbacks' loss dropped the CMN for a Wild Card berth!

 

Cubs Magic Numbers:

• Division:  32
• Top Wild Card & Home Field:  23
• Wild Card:  17  

See this post for CMN calculation details.

 

Here's how the remainder of the season shapes up:

 

5 vs. 86-53 Milwaukee (2 home, 3 road)
6 vs. 70-69 Miami (3 + 3)
3 vs. 68-71 Pittsburgh (home)
3 vs. 82-57 Atlanta (home)

3 at 66-73 Cincinnati
3 at 75-64 Boston

The Cubs currently sit eight games back of Milwaukee in the NL Central and 1/2 game behind Philadelphia in the race for the top NL Wild Card berth and its benefit of home field for all NLWCS games.

 

139 games down, 23 to go.

 

Go Cubs go!

 

 

2016 World Series Champion Kris Bryant

32

Holy cow! The Cubs battered the Brewers 17-3 on Monday behind a quality start from Clay Holmes (6 IP, 0 ER, 8 K) and a team record NINE home runs – three from Alex Bregman and one apiece from Tyrone Taylor, Nico Hoerner, Seiya Suzuki, Carson Kelly, Matt Shaw, and Michael Conforto!

 

Bregman drove in four while Taylor and Conforto drove in three apiece.  The series continues tomorrow at the Friendly Confines.
 
Here's how the remainder of the season shapes up:

 

6 vs. 85-53 Milwaukee (3 home, 3 road)
6 vs. 69-69 Miami (3 + 3)
3 vs. 67-71 Pittsburgh (home)
3 vs. 82-56 Atlanta (home)

3 at 65-73 Cincinnati
3 at 75-63 Boston

The Cubs currently sit seven games back of Milwaukee in the NL Central and 1/2 game ahead of Philadelphia in the race for the top NL Wild Card berth and its benefit of home field for all NLWCS games.

 

Cubs wins and Brewers losses lower the CMN for the NL Central title. The formula is 163 minus Cubs wins minus Brewers losses. The tiebreaker is head-to-head record, and with six head-to-head games remaining, that's yet to be determined.

 

The Cubs Magic Number for a Wild Card berth is 18. 

 

Cubs wins and Arizona losses lower the CMN for an NL Wild Card berth. (It's Arizona since they're the best NL team not currently sitting in a Wild Card berth position.) The formula is 163 minus Cubs wins minus Diamondbacks losses minus one, since the Cubs hold the tiebreaker, a 4-2 head-to-head record with no head-to-head games remaining.

 

The Cubs Magic Number for the top WC seed – and home field for all NLWCS games – is 24.

 

Cubs wins and Phillies losses lower the CMN for the top NL Wild Card berth.  (It's Philadelphia since they're the next-best NL team in the Wild Card race.) The formula is 163 minus Cubs wins minus Phillies losses minus one, since the Cubs hold the tiebreaker, a 6-1 head-to-head record with no head-to-head games remaining.

 

138 games down, 24 to go.
 
Go Cubs go! 

 

Image Credit:  Chicago Cubs