16

Big night for the number! The Cubs swept the Pirates and the Brewers learned how to win a game against the Cards.

The Cubs finish August 22-6. That is tied with 1932 for the best August ever for the Cubs.

Bring on the Giants!

NL Central Standings
Team        W   L    PCT    GB

Cubs       85  47   .644    --

Cards      70  62   .530  15.0

Pirates    67  64   .511  17.5

Photo Credit: Mike from the chatroom.

Just for kicks...

Playoff Berth Magic Number

14

Home Field Advantage Magic Number

23

17

Photo Credit: Jonathan Daniel

Photo Credit: AP

18

Hey, hey! Cubs notched another win against the Pirates 3-0. The Cubbies took an early lead with a two run homer in the first by Rizzo and never looked back.

Kyle Hendricks held the pirates to only 3 hits in seven.

We are watching the Cards and Brewers in extras. Stay tuned!

NL Central Standings
Team        W   L    PCT    GB

Cubs       84  47   .641    --

Cards      69  61   .531  14.5

Pirates    67  63   .515  16.5


Just for kicks...

Playoff Berth Magic Number

16

Home Field Advantage Magic Number

24

19

HOLY COW! The Cubs came back Monday night (actually Tuesday morning) to beat the Bucs in 13 innings at Wrigley, 8-7! Soler & Contreras each homered and the bullpen combined for 6 2/3 innings of one-run ball to pick Arrieta up after a rough start (6.1 IP, 6 ER).

It was a wild game: the Cubs led 3-0 early, trailed 6-3 in the 8th, tied it 6-6 in the bottom of the 9th, and trailed 7-6 in the bottom of the 13th before scoring two to win. Four consecutive Cubs reached base before Miggy drove in KB to tally the winning run.

The MLB-best Cubs continue the homestand Tuesday with game two of the three-game series against Pittsburgh.

Let's go!

Image Credit:  Topps

NL Central Standings
Team        W   L    PCT    GB

Cubs       83  47   .638    --

Cards      69  61   .531  14.0

Pirates    67  62   .519  15.5


Just for kicks...

Playoff Berth Magic Number

18

Home Field Advantage Magic Number

25

20

The Cubs lose a rough one to the Dodgers 1-0, but the Cardinals fell to the As 7-4.

The Nats also lost, bringing the home field advantage number to 26!

Photo Credit: Chicago Cubs 

NL Central Standings
Team        W   L    PCT    GB

Cubs       82  46   .641    --

Cards      68  61   .527  14.5

Pirates    67  61   .523  15.0

We are driving towards the division championship (which is what the magic number shows), but for those who like numbers:

Playoff Berth Magic Number

20

Home Field Advantage Magic Number

26

21

Even our Cubbies can't win them all. Tonight, they lost to the Dodgers 3 to 2. Lucky for us, the Cardinals also lost to the As, 3 to 2, so the number drops anyway!

Photo Credit: Vineline

NL Central Standings
Team        W   L    PCT    GB

Cubs       82  46   .641    --

Cards      68  60   .531  14.0

Pirates    66  61   .520  15.5

We are driving towards the division championship (which is what the magic number shows), but for those who like numbers:

Playoff Berth Magic Number

20

Home Field Advantage Magic Number

27

22

HOLY COW! The Cubs came back from deficits of 3-0 and 4-1 to beat the Dodgers 6-4 in Chavez Ravine on Friday night. Kris Bryant's 10th inning, two-run homer -- his second HR of the game -- was the game-winning hit.

The MLB-best Cubs continue the weekend series against LA on Saturday.

Let's go!

Image Credit: Jonathan Daniel (just for Craiger)

NL Central Standings
Team        W   L    PCT    GB

Cubs       82  45   .646    --

Cards      68  59   .535  14.0

Pirates    65  61   .516  16.5

We usually only track the division number, but here are some others to ponder...

HOME FIELD THROUGH NLCS MAGIC NUMBER

27

PLAYOFF BERTH MAGIC NUMBER

20

23

The Cubs had the night off, but that didn't stop the Cards from falling to the Mets 10 to 6!

The Cubbies face off against the Dodgers tomorrow. Lets Go!

NL Central Standings
Team        W   L    PCT    GB

Cubs       81  45   .643    --

Cards      67  59   .532  14.0

Pirates    64  61   .512  16.5

We usually only track the division number, but here are some others to ponder...

HOME FIELD THROUGH NLCS MAGIC NUMBER

29

WILD CARD MAGIC NUMBER

21

24

Holy cow! The Cubs beat the Padres 6-3 in San Diego on Wednesday to sweep the series. Kyle Hendricks continued his dominance, striking out 8 in 6 IP. His MLB-best ERA stands at 2.19.

Zobrist drove in 2, Contreras homered, Soler went 2-for-3, and KB went 2-for-4. Chapman struck out three in the ninth to earn the save.

The first place Cubs have Thursday off before wrapping up the road trip in LA with a three-game weekend series at Dodger Stadium.

Let's go!

NL Central Standings
Team        W   L    PCT    GB

Cubs       81  45   .643    --

Cards      66  58   .532  14.0

Pirates    63  61   .508  17.0

25

Hey hey! Cubs downed the Friars Tuesday 5-3 at Petco. 2015 NL Cy Young Award winner Jake Arrieta dominated (8 IP, 6 K, 2 H, 0 ER with a triple and run scored), lowering his season ERA to 2.62 and season WHIP to 1.04.

Addy and KB each homered and drove in two, and Zo went 2-for-4 with a run scored. 

The MLB-best Cubs close out the three-game series with San Diego on Wednesday before wrapping up the road trip this weekend against the Dodgers.

Let's go!

Another swing and a miss by the Padres.

Image Credit: ESPN

NL Central Standings
Team        W   L    PCT    GB

Cubs       80  45   .640    --

Cards      66  58   .532  13.5

Pirates    63  60   .512  16.0

26

The Mets took down the Cards, so we have a new number. Stay tuned for the end of tonight's game.

Photo Credit: BleedCubbieClue.com

NL Central Standings
Team        W   L    PCT    GB

Cubs       79  45   .637    --

Cards      66  58   .532  13.0

Pirates    63  60   .512  15.5

27

The Cubs had a big night in San Diego. Taking the first game against the Padres 5-1. Lester had a masterful start with six innings pitched, eight strikeouts, and one earned run.

Addison Russell played the hero with a homer in the second and two RBIs. Bryant and Heyward also went long.

Photo Credit: Chicago Cubs 

NL Central Standings
Team        W   L    PCT    GB

Cubs       79  45   .637    --

Cards      66  57   .537  12.5

Pirates    62  60   .508  16.0

28

Holy cow! Cubs rocked the Rockies 9-2 at Coors Field on Saturday behind KB's 4 RBI night (including a 3-run homer) and Mike Montgomery's fine spot start: 4.1 IP, 5 K, 1 H, 1 ER.

Trevor Cahill was solid in relief (4.2 IP, 1 ER), and every position player in the first place Cubs' starting lineup had at least one hit. Dexter "You Go, We Go" Fowler reached base in 3 of 4 plate appearances and scored twice. Zobrist and Montero each went 3-for-5 : Zo with a HR, 3 R, and 2 RBI, and Miggy with 3 RBI.

The MLB-best Cubs dropped the series finale Sunday despite Addy's 2 HR day and head to Petco on Monday to start a three-game set against the Friars.

Let's go!

Image Credit: Fox Sports

NL Central Standings
Team        W   L    PCT    GB

Cubs       78  45   .634    --

Cards      66  57   .537  12.0

Pirates    62  59   .512  15.0

Synchronized drinking. pic.twitter.com/R086reCU7Q

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) August 21, 2016

29

Cards lose at Philly. Cubs up big over the Rox in Denver. Stay tuned...

30

Cubs sweep the Brew Crew as they outslug Milwaukee at Wrigley, 9-6! KB went 5-for-5 with 2 HR and 5 RBI, Arrieta picked up another win, and Chapman notched another save.

The first place Cubs wrapped up an 8-2 homestand and head to Denver, San Diego, and LA for a nine-game road trip that starts Friday.

Let's go!

Image Credit: Topps

NL Central Standings
Team        W   L    PCT    GB

Cubs       77  43   .642    --

Cards      64  56   .533  13.0

Pirates    62  56   .525  14.0

Brooms came in handy today.

31

The Cubs gave the Brewers another big loss tonight with a score of 6-1.

Photo Credit: Focus on Sport/Getty Images

NL Central Standings

Team        W   L    PCT    GB

Cubs       76  43   .639    --

Cards      64  56   .533  12.5

Pirates    62  56   .525  13.5

32

Let's play two! (and win them both)

The Cubs win both double header games against the Brew Crew. 4-0 and 4-1.

Photo Credit: CBS Sports

NL Central Standings

Team        W   L    PCT    GB

Cubs       75  43   .636    --

Cards      63  56   .529  12.5

Pirates    60  56   .517  14.0

33

The Cubbies took the first of a double header against the Brewers,  4-0.

Tonight has the potential to be a big day for the number. Watch this space for more updates.

NL Central Standings

Team        W   L    PCT    GB

Cubs       74  43   .632    --

Cards      62  56   .525  12.5

Pirates    60  56   .517  13.5

34

Even the Cardinals get it right once in a while, but the Pirates fell to the Dodgers and so does the number.

NL Central Standings

Team        W   L    PCT    GB

Cubs       73  42   .636    --

Cards      61  56   .521  13.0

Pirates    58  56   .509  14.5

35

That's 11 in a row! Cubs beat the Cards 13 to 2!

*Quick Note: The Cardinals are ahead of the Pirates in win percentage, but the magic number uses the Pirates loss record since it is lower than the Cards. This is due to the Pirates having played three less games than the Cardinals.

Photo Credit: Chicago Cubs

NL Central Standings

Team        W   L    PCT    GB

Cubs       73  41   .640    --

Cards      60  56   .517  14.0

Pirates    58  55   .513  14.5

36

Huge win to start the series against the Cards! A walk-off walk... nothing wrong with that. 

Photo Credit: Chicago Cubs

NL Central Standings

Team        W   L    PCT    GB

Cubs       72  41   .637    --

Cards      60  55   .522  13.0

Pirates    57  55   .509  14.0

38

9 in a row!!! 

Photo Credit: Chicago Cubs 

NL Central Standings
Team        W   L    PCT    GB

Cubs       71  41   .634    --

Cards      60  54   .526  12.0

Pirates    56  55   .505  14.5

39

Photo Credit: Chicago Cubs

NL Central Standings
Team        W   L    PCT    GB

Cubs       70  41   .631    --

Cards      59  54   .522  12.0

Pirates    56  54   .509  13.5

41

NL Central Standings
Team        W   L    PCT    GB

Cubs       69  41   .627    --

Cards      58  53   .523  11.5

Pirates    55  54   .505  13.5

43

Thank you,  Atlanta.

44

Go Braves!

46

Holy cow! Another comeback win for the first place Cubs as they swept the Marlins at Wrigley. Down 4-2 in the bottom of the ninth, they scored three to pull off the win. Marlins closer AJ Ramos imploded (2/3 IP, 2 H, 3 BB, WP), and the Cubs took full advantage with a string of several great at-bats.

John Lackey had a nice start (7 IP, 8 K, 3 ER, 2 2B at the plate) despite a lack of run support. Maddon's decision to have Zobrist lay down a sacrifice bunt with two on and no outs in the 8th was interesting, but after Sunday night's epic win against the Mariners, Joe has a free pass for the rest of the season!

The MLB-best Cubs have an off day Thursday, travel to Oakland for a three-game weekend series, then return home for a ten-game homestand versus the Angels, Cardinals, and Brewers.

Let's go!

NL Central Standings
Team        W   L    PCT    GB

Cubs       66  41   .617    --

Cards      57  51   .528   9.5

Pirates    53  52   .505  12.0

47

Holy cow! Another comeback win for the first place Cubs as they swept the Marlins at Wrigley. Down 4-2 in the bottom of the ninth, they scored three to pull off the win. Marlins closer AJ Ramos imploded (2/3 IP, 2 H, 3 BB, WP), and the Cubs took full advantage with a string of several great at-bats.

John Lackey had a nice start (7 IP, 8 K, 3 ER, 2 2B at the plate) despite a lack of run support. Maddon's decision to have Zobrist lay down a sacrifice bunt with two on and no outs in the 8th was interesting, but after Sunday night's epic win against the Mariners, Joe has a free pass for the rest of the season!

The MLB-best Cubs have an off day Thursday, travel to Oakland for a three-game weekend series, then return home for a ten-game homestand versus the Angels, Cardinals, and Brewers.

Let's go!

NL Central Standings
Team        W   L    PCT    GB

Cubs       66  41   .617    --

Cards      57  50   .533   9.0

Pirates    53  52   .505  12.0

50

Kyle Hendricks is a stud! 

The Cubs won 6 - 0 against the Miami Marlins with Kyle Hendricks pitching his second career shutout.

Hendricks gave a much needed rest to the bullpen and had the back up of some great run production from his team. 9 guys went on to the field, and the same 9 came off in the 9th. Not bad.

The Cubs will face the Marlins again tomorrow. It's August... fasten your seat belts!

Photo Credit: Chicago Cubs

NL Central Standings
Team        W   L    PCT    GB

Cubs       64  41   .610    --

Cards      56  49   .533   8.0

Pirates    52  51   .505  11.0

51

WHAT A GAME!

The Cubs won their crazy rubber game with the Seattle Mariners 7 to 6. After three innings by starting pitcher Brian Matusz... that we would all like to forget, the Cubs were down 6 to 0. The third would be the last time the Mariners scored. The rest of the game was defined by the bullpen heroics of Carl Edwards, Jr. with two shutout innings with five strikes outs, Travis Wood, Pedro Strop, Mike Montgomery, Aroldis Chapman, and tonight's winner, Hector Rondon with two shutout extra innings.

Travis Wood wasn't happy with just pitching, so he went to left in the seventh and made a game changing catch in the ivy!

The pitchers capped off the night of heroics when Jon Lester came off the bench in the 12th to pinch hit. His squeeze bunt brought Jason Heyward home to cap of the amazing come from behind victory.

The Cubs will finish up their home stand by welcoming the Miami Marlins to Wrigley.

Travis "I'll play any postion" Wood

Photo Credit: Billy Krump

NL Central Standings
Team        W   L    PCT    GB

Cubs       63  41   .606    --

Cards      56  49   .533   7.5

Pirates    52  51   .505  10.5