Chicago Cubs magic number after much needed sweep of Colorado Rockies

The Chicago Cubs entered the weekend needing to sweep the Colorado Rockies after falling flat against the Pittsburgh Pirates last week.

The Cubs' series against the Rockies also featured the return of Marcus Stroman to the starting rotation. Cubs' manager David Ross told reporters that Stroman has been moved back to the rotation full-time while rookie Javier Assad will now be pitching out of the bullpen.

After the Cubs' 6-0 victory over the Rockies on Friday, Stroman made his return to the rotation on Saturday and there was some rust. Stroman was touched up for three runs on five hits while only lasting three innings. Fortunately, the Cubs' offense came to Stroman's defense as they totaled six runs while the bullpen, including Assad, shut out the Rockies after the third inning.

The Cubs followed up Saturday's victory with the sweeping victory on Sunday in 4-3 fashion.

The Cubs are off on a Monday before starting a three-game series on the road against the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday. If the season were to end today, the Cubs would be in the post-season as the final wild-card team in the National League.

The Cubs are a game up on the Miami Marlins for the final wild-card spot in the National and only a half of a game behind the Arizona Diamondbacks for the second wild-card spot.

What is the Chicago Cubs' magic number?

With six games remaining of their season, the Cubs' magic number to clinch a post-season berth is six. It won't be an easy task for the Cubs as they play the Braves and Milwaukee Brewers over the course of their final six games of the regular season. For the Marlins, they conclude the season on the road with a three-game set against the New York Mets followed by a three-game set against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

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