For the past three seasons the Cubs-Cardinals rivalry has actually meant something, a battle for supremacy in the NL Central not just bragging rights. We’ve seen hit batters on both sides, an NLDS in 2015 won by the Cubs and more dominance by the Cubs in 2016. Now, entering a four-game series in St. Louis, the rivalry is getting even more heated as Cardinals player Tommy Pham is pissed off after Ben Zobrist’s comments on Sunday.
The Cubs have a 5.5 game lead in the division and their magic number to clinch is two. After taking three of four against the Milwaukee Brewers, the Cubs made it clear that they’re very much looking forward to clinching the division at Busch Stadium.
Zobrist, the 2016 World Series MVP, can’t wait to celebrate in St. Louis.
Well, Tommy Pham didn’t like that and wants nothing to do with Zobrist on the field during the four-game series.
Tommy Pham asked about Ben Zobrist's comments that Cubs "intend to clinch" in STL: pic.twitter.com/nkXWFpEj49
— Chris Hrabe (@chrabe) September 25, 2017
And yes, Zobrist and Pham will both be starting on Monday night.
Here is tonight's #Cubs starting lineup.
Game preview: https://t.co/6YenSbHkGJ pic.twitter.com/2eEcx8hYpe
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) September 25, 2017
Today's #STLCards Information
💪 @DreamWeava7
⏰ 7:15 PM
📻 @KMOXSports, @590TheFan (Spanish)
📺 @FSMidwest
💻 https://t.co/vaVVPPkioU pic.twitter.com/MlDri03goE— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) September 25, 2017
The Cubs can’t clinch the division on Monday, but a win does eliminate the Cardinals from the NL Central race. When the Cubs do clinch, it would be back-to-back division titles after the Cardinals won it the three previous seasons.
Aside from Wrigley Field, you can’t really ask for a better place to see the Cubs clinch other than St. Louis in front of those lovely Cardinals fans.
