Cubs News: 2020 NL Central Champs–but limping in

The Chicago Cubs are National League Central Champs. But still, that doesn’t mean they didn’t ‘back into it’ because they did.

The Cubs essentially ‘put it in reverse’ when qualifying for the postseason. They clinched the next to the last day of the regular season against the White Sox. If they win, the White Sox fall from fourth down to seventh if the Cleveland Indians win. 2020, am I right?

They are 33-26 and clinched the NL Central. But it wasn’t hard. The Reds, Brewers, and the Cardinals are .500–give or take a game. The Reds never challenged them. Neither did the Brewers or Cardinals for that matter. Still, the season was decided by one game. It’s been an amazing 60 games to the playoffs. Maybe we should do this all the time? I kid. 162 games or bust. That’s how I see it.

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As for the Cubs? They’ve made the playoffs five out of six years with three division titles. Three trips to the NLCS, one pennant, and a World Series title. The era has been the best they have seen in 1906-10. So 2020 hasn’t been bad for the team, just different. Excessively different. A 60 game schedule plus the postseason? At least Jon Lester will pitch one last time in Wrigley Field. Good for him.

So there you have it. The Central’s two through four spots are flexible–with every team getting in (except the Pirates), or the Cubs and Reds claiming the spot. And playing the Reds? Trevor Bauer, Luis Castillo, and a few home runs and we’re going home in three. I don’t know if they can swing it–but I’d prefer if they didn’t.

They are bound to get a Central team. But which one, I don’t know. The Reds already have the postseason clinched–it just where they are going to land that I don’t know.

The Reds, Brewers and Cards are still in play–the Phillies and the Marlins, too. It’s going to be an exciting day of baseball, that for sure.