162 games not enough to finalize MLB’s playoff field
Tiebreakers set as Brewers, Cubs face off for NL Central crown; Dodgers, Rockies meet for NL West.
CHICAGO – The Wrigleyville neighborhood looks dramatically different these days with the plush hotel across the street, the glitzy shops and restaurants, but that archaic and iconic Wrigley Field scoreboard drew all the attention Sunday.
While the Cubs were clobbering the Cardinals 10-5, the out-of-town scoreboard refused to help, with its rickety numbers showing the Brewers in the lead all of the way, resulting in an 11-0 rout of the Tigers.
And now, for the first time all season, there is no need to scoreboard watch.
The Cubs and Brewers, all tied after 162 games with 95-67 records, will play at 1 p.m. ET Monday for the National League Central Division title, with the loser relegated to playing the wild-card game Tuesday against the Dodgers or the Rockies.
Yes, they have their own tiebreaker out West, too, with a 4 p.m. ET game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles to determine the NL West winner.
It’s the first time in Major League Baseball history there will be two tiebreakers in the same season.
Certainly, it’s hardly what the Cubs envisioned after having the NL’s best record for the last 10 weeks, only to be caught by Milwaukee.
“I love it,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon said before Sunday’s game. “It’s a blast. It’s great for baseball. These are the situations you always want to be in. I tell them not to let the pressure exceed the pleasure. Embrace it. Enjoy it.
“Just get yourself ready. Play it like any other day.”
Only it was unlike any day in Wrigley Field history.
It was the first time since 1908 the Cubs entered the final game of the regular season tied for first place, with the Cubs winning that day at the Polo Grounds 4-2 by beating Christy Mathewson for the NL pennant.
The Cubs can only hope that history repeats itself. The Cubs won the World Series that year over the Tigers, their last championship until 2016.
“Every year has its own story, its own different journey,” said Chicago first baseman Anthony Rizzo, who drove in his 100th run, becoming the first Cubs left-handed hitter with 100 RBI for four seasons. “This year the roller coaster was a little more peaks and valleys than last year and the year before. It’s not smooth sailing here.
“You figure out ways to win as a team.”
The Cubs, who played 29 games in 30 days, have had to adjust quickly: They lost two closers in September; had disastrous seasons from free agent starting pitchers Yu Darvish and Tyler Chatwood; watched a struggling Kris Bryant; and dealt with the departure of shortstop Addison Russell, who might become an ex-Cub after domestic abuse allegations by his ex-wife resurfaced. Closer Pedro Strop says he should be back from his strained hamstring Thursday for Game 1 of the NL Division Series.
But what if there is no division series?
What if the Cubs are relegated to playing in the wild-card game Tuesday?
“Don’t tell me about Tuesday,” Strop said. “We’re looking for the ‘A’ plan.”
Well, like it or not, the Cubs have no choice, as heads were spinning trying to figure out the pitching machinations of a game they never envisioned.
“We all know the situation,” Cubs ace Jon Lester said. “But at the same time, you can’t worry about it.”
The Cubs are planning to pitch Jose Quintana in the tiebreaker and, if necessary, use Lester in the wild-card game.
They’ll know exactly where they stand by Monday afternoon after playing the Brewers for the 20th time this season. They have beaten them 11 of the first 19 games but have lost in four of the last six meetings.
Now, they need at least one more victory against their pesky neighbors to avoid the wild-card game.
“I know the environment will be crazy,” Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks told reporters Sunday morning. “It’s scary now. With all the other guys they have in that lineup, they’re playing well.” That’s an understatement.
The Brewers, who have won seven consecutive games, are 18-6 since Sept.
3, averaging 5.22 runs per game, with 35 homers. They have won 11 of their last 12 series. The Cubs, on the other hand, are
14-12, averaging just 3.64 runs per game with 16 homers.
That’s how the Brewers finally caught the Cubs after chasing them for the last 10 weeks.
“It’s crazy to come down to the final day,” Brewers infielder Travis Shaw told Milwaukee reporters, “but at the beginning that’s all you hope for, to have a chance to win the division.”
The Cubs were hoping to reduce their stress with some help from the Tigers. Maddon and Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire are longtime friends and recreational vehicle aficionados. It was Gardenhire who even encouraged Maddon to upgrade his RV, and Gardenhire was ready to repay him.
“I’d be happy to offer two months of ‘Cousin Eddie,’ ” Maddon said of his huge RV, “for a win today.”
The Tigers didn’t cooperate. These two teams have the inevitability of the postseason but also know there’s anxiety that hovers in the air, too.
“We have been in pressure situations,” Cubs first baseman Kyle Bryant said. “We know how to handle it.”
Buckle up. Monday should be an absolute doozy of a joy ride.