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Chicago Cubs: Big series against rival Cardinals will test reigning champs

By Jake Misener

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 19: Yadier Molina #4 of the St. Louis Cardinals looks on in the first inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field on July 19, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 19: Yadier Molina #4 of the St. Louis Cardinals looks on in the first inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field on July 19, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
(Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

After sweeping back-to-back series to open the second half, the Chicago Cubs return to Wrigley Field to face the rival St. Louis Cardinals this weekend.

If there’s any lesson to be learned from the Chicago Cubs‘ performance the past week, it’s about just how quickly the pecking order in a division can change this time of year.

Coming out of the All-Star Break, the reigning World Series champions found themselves 5 1/2 games behind the division-leading Milwaukee Brewers. Then, Chicago ran off six-straight wins to open the second-half, while Milwaukee dropped five-straight.

Now, the two teams are separated by a mere one game heading into the weekend.

With a reloaded rotation bolstered by the acquisition of Jose Quintana, the Cubs have taken aim at the division-leading Brew Crew. And, if they have their way, by the end of the weekend, they may very well find themselves atop the NL Central.

But first, they face a familiar foe in the division-rival St. Louis Cardinals. Separated by just 3 1/2 games in the standings, Chicago hopes to avoid being on the wrong end of another division shake-up by the time this weekend’s showdown draws to a close.

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