The Chicago Cubs win the NL Central for the second straight season after defeating their division rivals St. Louis Cardinals on September 27 at Busch Stadium. This win also eliminated the Milwaukee Brewers drive for the division crown. It is also the third straight year the Cubs have entered the postseason. This is the first time since 1906-08 since the Cubs entered the postseason three consecutive times. Cubs shortstop Addison Russell said, “To be able to do it here in St. Louis, the series that was anticipated when we would do it, was definitely cool. These guys have been great all year. We started out a little bit slow, but I knew as the year went out, we’d get better and better. We started out with a goal in Spring Training and we’ve hit that goal every single day. I feel we’re playing our best baseball right now.” Cubs pitcher Jon Lester added, “Any time you beat somebody in your division, it’s always good, regardless if it’s the Cardinals, the Brewers, the Pirates, the Reds. If you beat somebody in your division and have a good record against your division, you’ll find you’re in a pretty good position.”
Last year, the Cubs erased 108 years of Championship drought with a history making World Series championship run. Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant said, “We’re really excited that we have another chance at it. There was maybe a little more pressure last year because you feel the weight of 108 years on your shoulders. This year, it’s not like it’s different; we’re here for one reason, we want to win the whole thing. Regardless if we won it last year or 108 years ago, it doesn’t matter to us.” The Cubs will start the National League Division Series on Oct. 6 against the Washington Nationals as they defend their World Series Champion title.
