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Chicago Cubs clinch National League Central with Cards loss to Giants
By David Miniel
Although they were unable to clinch on their own terms, the Chicago Cubs are celebrating. They managed to drop their series opener by the final score of 5-4 to the Brewers Thursday evening. While most were hoping to clinch on a win, a division title is a division title.
In fact, it has been awhile since the Chicago Cubs were able to pop that champagne after emerging as the best team in their division. Joe Maddon‘s boys were unable to pick up a victory over the Milwaukee Brewers who received a late go-ahead double.
Milwaukee has given the Cubs fits as of late, claiming their previous series while the North Siders were on the road. Tonight, it looked as if the Cubbies were going to cruise to an easy win after Jorge Soler went yard.
Soler launched a two-run homer out to deep left field, sending the home crowd into a wild frenzy. Starter Mike Montgomery was unable to keep the Brewers at bay, yet did not pick up a decision.
Regardless, the Chicago Cubs are your 2016 National League Central champions. Giants right-hander Johnny Cueto pitched a complete game against the St. Louis Cardinals.
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Cueto had himself a four-run lead heading into the ninth where he managed to sit down the Redbirds in order. Both the Giants and Cardinals are fighting for a Wild Card spot and could match up in the one game playoff.
Now, back to the Cubs. On the day they clinched in 2008, future Hall of Fame right-hander Kerry Wood recorded the final outs. Most importantly, they were hosting the St. Louis Cardinals and jumped ahead 5-0 on their rival.
Swept
While celebrating a division title was nice, the results of winning in 2007 and 2008 ended in heartbreak. Arizona and Los Angeles went on to sweeping the Cubs during the division series, but this time, things are different.
With names such as Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Jorge Soler, Willson Contreras, Jake Arrieta, Jon Lester, and Addison Russell — this club is dangerous. Not to mention, hungrier than ever after being eliminated by the New York Mets in the National League Championship series.
Could you imagine how different things could be if Kyle Schwarber was healthy? Schwarber is a potential MVP candidate headed into his first full year of service with the Cubs in 2017. Hopefully, he’ll be able to stay healthy and help the Cubs clinch another division title.
Next: Cubs fall to Milwaukee, 5-4
Now that winning the division is out of the way, it’s time to focus on winning the pennant. Something they have been unable to do since 1945 where they lost to the Detroit Tigers in seven games in the World Series.
So, with that being said, let’s all enjoy this video posted on the Cubs official Twitter page. #FlyTheW #WeAreGood #DivisionChamps. Yes, I hashtagged in an article.