The Cubs had a chance to essentially kick the Brewers out of the playoff picture after last Thursday’s 10-5 win, but instead lost three straight games in Milwaukee and then could only split a four-game series against the Padres. Meanwhile, the Brewers went on to sweep a four-game series of their own in Miami.
So, thanks to a 3-5 road trip for the Cubs and a seven-game winning streak for the Brewers, both teams are tied for the second Wild Card spot in what has turned into a crazy playoff race in the NL.
All right, so a quick look at the NL standings. The Dodgers clinched in the West, while the Braves are up 8.5 games in the East.
The Cardinals have a four-game lead over the Cubs and Brewers in the Central.
The Nationals have a 3.5-game lead over the Cubs and Brewers for the top Wild Card spot and again the Cubs and Brewers are tied for the second Wild Card spot.
The Phillies and Mets are both two games behind the Cubs and Brewers for the second Wild Card spot and the Diamondbacks are 3.5 games back from the Cubs and Brewers.
Now, the schedules.
Cardinals: 16 games left (9 home, 7 road)
3 at home vs. Brewers (Sept. 13-15)
3 at home vs. Nationals (Sept. 16-18)
4 on road vs. Cubs (Sept. 19-22)
3 on road vs. Diamondbacks (Sept. 23-25)
3 at home vs. Cubs (Sept. 27-29)
Nationals: 17 games left (11 home, 6 road)
3 at home vs. Braves (Sept. 13-15)
3 on road vs. Cardinals (Sept. 16-18)
3 on road vs. Marlins (Sept. 20-22)
5 at home vs. Phillies (Sept. 23-26)
3 at home vs. Indians (Sept. 27-29)
Brewers: 16 games left (7 home, 9 road)
3 on road vs. Cardinals (Sept. 13-15)
4 at home vs. Padres (Sept. 16-19)
3 at home vs. Pirates (Sept. 20-22)
3 on road vs. Reds (Sept. 24-26)
3 on road vs. Rockies (Sept. 27-29)
Phillies: 16 games left (5 home, 11 road)
2 at home vs. Red Sox (Sept. 14-15)
3 on road vs. Braves (Sept. 17-19)
3 on road vs. Indians (Sept. 20-22)
5 on road vs. Nationals (Sept. 23-26)
3 at home vs. Marlins (Sept. 27-29)
Mets: 16 games left (10 home, 6 road)
3 at home vs. Dodgers (Sept. 13-15)
3 on road vs. Rockies (Sept. 16-18)
3 on road vs. Reds (Sept. 20-22)
4 at home vs. Marlins (Sept. 23-26)
3 at home vs. Braves (Sept. 27-29)
Diamondbacks: 15 games left (12 home, 3 road)
3 at home vs. Reds (Sept. 13-15)
3 at home vs. Marlins (Sept. 16-18)
3 on road vs. Padres (Sept. 20-22)
3 at home vs. Cardinals (Sept. 23-25)
3 at home vs. Padres (Sept. 27-29)
Cubs: 16 games left (10 home, 6 road)
3 at home vs. Pirates (Sept. 13-15)
3 at home vs. Reds (Sept. 16-18)
4 at home vs. Cardinals (Sept. 19-22)
3 on road vs. Pirates (Sept. 24-26)
3 on road vs. Cardinals (Sept. 27-29)
