Countdown Until Cubs Opening Day 2018Countdown

As rough as that NLCS was, the Cubs had a helluva 2017 season. They won the NL Central Division for the second straight season, made the playoffs for the third straight season, and won their way to the NLCS for the third straight season.

After being in fourth place on May 14th and sitting 5.5 games back of first to start the day on July 16, they finished the month 10-3 and went 36-22 in August, September, and October to finish the season with 92 victories.

Wade Davis was spectacular, converting 32 of 33 save opportunities. Six Cub hitters had 20 or more home runs. Anthony Rizzo had more walks than strikeouts (a rarity in 2017), a career-high OBP, and a fielding percentage that bested all other NL first basemen.

Putting this three-year stretch in historical perspective highlights how much fun these past few years have been for Cubs fans:  only the 1906-1910 Cubs have had more success (four 1st place finishes, a 2nd place finish, and two World Series titles in three appearances during that five-year stretch).

The 2015-2017 Cubs are the first to have back-to-back-to-back .500-or-better seasons since 2007-2009, and the 2017 Cubs are the first defending World Series champions to win their division since the 2009 Phillies.

(Not to mention, they took 14 of 19 regular season games from the Cardinals, knocking them out of the playoff picture along the way.)

We here at CMN are looking forward to another fun season of baseball on the north side in 2018. Until then, here's the Cubs Magic Number to reach the 2018 postseason:

163

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Image Credits:  Chicago Cubs / MLB

7

That's right, we aren't going down without a fight! Cubs take the do or die game 4 with two cracks from Baez and one from Contreras.

In a change of pace, Arrieta went 6.2 innings only allowing one run. Davis pitched two hard innings to send us to game 5!

It's must win tomorrow night at 7pm. Let's go!!!

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8

Game 4 of the NLCS starts at 8:00 p.m. CT Wednesday. The North Siders have an uphill climb, down three games to none in the best-of-seven series, but these Cubs have overcome deficits before. 

Jake Arrieta takes the mound for Chicago tonight; he has a 3.33 ERA in eight postseason starts.

Game 5 would be Thursday at 7:00 p.m. CT. Follow CMN on Twitter.

Go Cubs go!

Image Credit: Chicago Cubs / MLB

8

For the third season in a row, the Cubs are heading to the

NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES!

It took everything they had, and then some, but the Northsiders defeat the Nats 9-8.

Come back here Saturday at 7pm for game 1 of the NLCS in Los Angeles!

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9

It was a tough, wet afternoon at Wrigley for the Cubs in NLDS Game 4, so it's back to DC for the series finale on Thursday. Kyle Hendricks takes the mound for Chicago and Tanner Roark Max Scherzer Gio Gonzalez will (most likely) take the mound for the Nats. Game time is 7 pm Central.

Hendricks has a 1.98 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP in eight postseason starts. That's Cub.

Go Cubs go!

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Photo Credit: Chicago Tribune

Photo Credit: Wrigleyville Nation

9

Cubs are one win away from the NLCS! 

They take game three 2-1 after great pitching all around and an amazing RBI by Anthony Rizzo!

Photo Credit: Chicago Cubs 

Tuesday's game has been postponed due to weather. It's been rescheduled to Wednesday. First pitch at 3:08pm CDT. See you all then!

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10

The defending World Series champion Chicago Cubs leave Washington with a split, as the NLDS is tied one game apiece heading to Wrigley. Game 3 of the series is Monday in Chicago, and Game 4 will be Tuesday. 

Go Cubs go!

10

Cubs 3 - Nationals 0

Photo Credit: Chicago Cubs

Who are the underdogs now? Kyle Hendricks pitched one of the best games of his career only allowing two hits and three walks. Both of those hits came in the first two innings. Edwards Jr and Davis helpped to hold the Nats in the 8th and 9th to cap off this shutout.

Hendricks and the pen were backed up by some clutch hitting from Rizzo (2 RBIs), Bryant (1 RBI), and Jay. 

The Cubs now lead the Nats 1-0 in this best of 5 National League Division Series and are just 10 wins away from the prize!

Join us Saturday at 4:30pm CST for game 2!

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11

The Chicago Cubs are the 2017 NL Central Division champions for the second year in a row! They'll continue their quest to defend their 2016 World Series title at 6:31 p.m. Central Time on Friday when they face the Washington Nationals in game one of a National League Division Series.

Image Credit: Chicago Cubs

This marks the second time in Cubs history that they've reached the postseason in three consecutive seasons. It was last accomplished by the 1906-1907-1908 Cubs, who won the World Series in each of those latter two years.

This year's squad is also on a roll, having gone 17-12 in August and 19-9 in September. Since the All-Star break, the Cubs' starters have posted a 3.36 ERA. Kyle Hendricks has been particularly stellar, with a 2.19 ERA during that stretch, and Kyle Schwarber's batting average after the break is 80 points higher than it was before the All-Star break, along with a nearly 200-point increase in his OPS.

Image Credit:  MLB.com

We'll be here throughout the playoffs to count down the Cubs Magic Number. You can also follow us on Twitter!

Go Cubs go!

Source Credit

Miles, Bruce. "Cubs finish 92-70, ready for playoffs." Northwest Herald, Shaw Media, 1 Oct. 2017, www.nwherald.com/2017/10/01/cubs-finish-92-70-ready-for-playoffs/acs5a5p/.

0

CENTRAL DIVISION CHAMPIONS!

For the first time since 1908, the Chicago Cubs are going to the postseason three years in a row! This is the first time since 2009 a team (Phillies) has won their division after winning the World Series!

The Cubs clinched the division and a playoff berth by downing the Cards 5-1 in St. Louis on Wednesday.

Come back Monday for the new magic number that will count us down to the WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP! Number will reset to 11 and the site will be in playoff mode. 

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1

Holy cow! The first place, defending World Series champion Chicago Cubs knocked the Cardinals out of the division race with authority on Monday night, beating St. Louis 10-2 behind a quality start from Jon Lester (6 IP, 4 K, 1 ER) and 3 RBI apiece from Javy Baez & Addison Russell. The win lowered the Cubs Magic Number to win the NL Central to ONE!

Baez's three RBI came on a two-out home run, and KB added a two-out solo shot as part of a 3-for-4 night. The Cubs came out swinging, tallying four runs in the top of the first and building an 8-1 lead by the top of the 3rd. That's Cub.

One Cubs victory or one Brewers loss would mean an NL Central Division title for the second consecutive season.

The Cubs face the Cards again Wednesday, and the Brewers host the Reds. Go Cubs go!

Image Credit: Chicago Cubs

Photo Credit: Daily Herald

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2

Holy cow! The first place Chicago Cubs downed the Brewers 5-0 at Miller Park on Sunday, taking three of four from Milwaukee and dropping the magic number to TWO!

Jose Quintana threw a complete game shutout (9 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 10 K) and Ben Zobrist went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer. Anthony Rizzo's only hit of the day was a huge two-run double in the 8th that put the Cubs up 5-0. Jon Jay (2 R), Willson Contreras (R) and Kris Bryant (R, RBI) also had two-hit days for the North Siders. That's Cub.

The Cubs head to St. Louis Monday to start a four-game series against the third-place Cardinals, then finish the regular season at Wrigley with a weekend set against the Reds. Monday's game time: 7:15 p.m. Central.

If the Cubs win any two of their seven remaining regular season games, they'll clinch the NL Central Division title for the second straight season. They could clinch as early as Tuesday with two consecutive wins against the Cards or with a win either Monday or Tuesday coupled with a Brewers loss on Tuesday.

Go Cubs go!

Image Credit: Chicago Cubs

Photo Credit: Sporting News

The Cubs Magic Number to win the NL Central equals:

163 - (Cubs wins + losses of NL Central rival with fewest losses).

As of now, that's 163 - (87 + 74), or 163 - 161.

Thus, the Cubs Magic Number is 2. Follow CMN on Twitter!

4

Go Bucs!

The Northsiders lost to the Brewers in 10, but the Pirates got the job done against the Cardinals, so the number drops!

The Cubs have 8 regular season games left. The Cubs Magic Number to win the NL Central equals:

163 - (Cubs wins + losses of NL Central rival with fewest losses).

As of now, that's 163 - (86 + 73), or 163 - 159. 163 - 159 = 4.

Thus, the Cubs Magic Number is 4. Follow CMN on Twitter!

5

Another night, another ten inning game, another Cubs win!

The Cubs had to battle back in this one from being down 3-0. First Jay brought in Heyward with a double, and then Zorbrist's knock brought in Bryant and Jay. The Brewers would knot it up 4-4 to send us to extras where a walke to La Stella with bases loaded proved to be the winning score. Cubs finish it 5-4!

The Cardinals won tonight as well. This put them in second with one loss less than the Brewers. Therefore, their losses (72) count towards the magic number.

The Cubs will see the Brewers two more times before meeting the Cards and Reds to end the regular season. Buckle up!

The Cubs have 9 regular season games left. The Cubs Magic Number to win the NL Central equals:

163 - (Cubs wins + losses of NL Central rival with fewest losses).

As of now, that's 163 - (86 + 72), or 163 - 158. 163 - 158 = 5.

Thus, the Cubs Magic Number is 5. Follow CMN on Twitter!

6

5-3 Cubs! 

What a game! The Cubbies take it in ten and bring the Magic Number down to 6!

The Cubs came out to an early 2-0 lead but found themselves trailing 3-2 in the 9th. A single by Javy sent Happ home to tie it up, and a long shot by Kris in the 10th, along with lights out pitching from Davis,  sealed the deal!

The Cubs will face the Brew Crew three more times before finishing the season against the Cards and Reds.

Let's Go!

The Cubs have 10 regular season games left. The Cubs Magic Number to win the NL Central equals:

163 - (Cubs wins + losses of NL Central rival with fewest losses).

As of now, that's 163 - (85 + 72), or 163 - 157. 163 - 157 = 6.

Thus, the Cubs Magic Number is 6. Follow CMN on Twitter!

8

The Cubs split the series in Tampa Bay with the Rays but the Pirates beat the Brewers dropping the magic number to 8.  We head to Wrigley North tomorrow to face the Brewers in a crucial 4 game series and Jake Arrieta returns to start for us.  Buckle up and enjoy the ride Cubs fans!

The Cubs have 11 regular season games left, including four apiece versus the third place Cards and the second place Brewers. The Cubs Magic Number to win the NL Central equals:

163 - (Cubs wins + losses of NL Central rival with fewest losses).

As of now, that's 163 - (84 + 71), or 163 - 155. 163 - 155 = 8.

Thus, the Cubs Magic Number is 8. Follow CMN on Twitter!

9

Hey hey! The first place, defending World Series champion Chicago Cubs won their seventh in a row Tuesday night, knocking off the Rays 2-1. Mike Montgomery was stellar in a spot start (6 IP, 6 K, 1 H, 1 ER), no hitting Tampa Bay into the sixth. The Cubs bullpen tossed 3 innings of no-hit ball.

Kyle Schwarber homered from the DH slot, and Javy Baez tallied the second RBI for the Cubs.

The short series wraps up Wednesday in Florida before the Cubs head to Milwaukee for a four-game weekend set against the second place Brewers.

Go Cubs go!

Photo via Flickr by Tyrone Islington

Image Credit: Chicago Cubs

The Cubs have 12 regular season games left, including four apiece versus the third place Cards and the second place Brewers. The Cubs Magic Number to win the NL Central equals:

163 - (Cubs wins + losses of NL Central rival with fewest losses).

As of now, that's 163 - (84 + 70), or 163 - 154. 163 - 154 = 9.

Thus, the Cubs Magic Number is 9. Follow CMN on Twitter!

10

Holy cow! Sweep! The first place Cubs completed a sweep of the Cards on Sunday with a 4-3 victory behind a strong start from Jose Quintana (5.2 IP, 8 K, 3 ER), 2 RBI from Ben Zobrist, and 3.1 scoreless innings from the bullpen.

Kyle Schwarber homered and Jason Heyward went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored.

The Cubs have a day off Monday before starting their final regular season road trip: a brief two-game set in Tampa and a four-game series against the second place Brewers.

Go Cubs go!

Photo Credit: Chicago Magazine

Image Credit: Chicago Cubs

The Cubs have 13 regular season games left, including four apiece versus the third place Cards and the second place Brewers. The Cubs Magic Number to win the NL Central equals:

163 - (Cubs wins + losses of NL Central rival with fewest losses).

As of now, that's 163 - (83 + 70), or 163 - 153. 163 - 153 = 10.

Thus, the Cubs Magic Number is 10. Follow CMN on Twitter!

11

Kyle Hendricks the Professor gave up on 1 run through 7 and two third stellar innings.  The Cubs downed the Cardinals 4-1 as Albert Almora stayed hot with 2 doubles and 2 RBI's.  Addison Russell also homered in his first at bat back from the DL.  Wade Davis pitched for the second straight day and is now 30 for 30 in save situations.

Q will start opposite Lance Lynn tomorrow as the Cubs go for the sweep!

Image Credits: Chicago Cubs

The Cubs have 14 regular season games left, including five versus the third place Cards and four versus the second place Brewers. The Cubs Magic Number to win the NL Central equals:

163 - (Cubs wins + losses of NL Central rival with fewest losses).

As of now, that's 163 - (82 + 70), or 163 - 152. 163 - 152 = 11.

Thus, the Cubs Magic Number is 11. Follow CMN on Twitter!

13

Hey hey! The first place Cubs downed the Cards 8-2 at Wrigley behind an abbreviated start by John Lackey (we'll get to that later), 4.1 innings of scoreless relief from the Chicago bullpen, and 2 RBI apiece from Ian Happ and Kris Bryant.

In addition to the 2 RBI, KB went 3-for-4 and scored twice. Jon Jay had a 2-for-4 day, seven different Cubs scored, and the Cubs' offense was extremely efficient, scoring 8 runs on 8 hits.

Both John Lackey and Willson Contreras were ejected after home plate umpire Jordan Baker called this pitch a ball:

Ball three?!?

Image Credit:  twitter.com/cubsump

Understandable, gentlemen. The Cubs responded with a seven-run sixth inning, putting the game away and putting the Cards four games out of first and in sole possession of third place.

Game two of the three-game series is Saturday afternoon in the Friendly Confines.

Go Cubs go!

Image Credit:  Chicago Cubs

The Cubs have 15 regular season games left, including six versus the third place Cards and four versus the second place Brewers. The Cubs Magic Number to win the NL Central equals:

163 - (Cubs wins + losses of NL Central rival with fewest losses).

As of now, that's 163 - (81 + 69), or 163 - 150. 163 - 150 = 13.

Thus, the Cubs Magic Number is 13. Follow CMN on Twitter!

14

Holy cow! The first place, defending World Series champion Chicago Cubs swept the Mets with a 14-6 win Thursday night! Jason Heyward led the way with 4 RBI, Bryzzo added 2 apiece, and Albert Almora continued his late-game heroics with 2 more RBI tonight after 6 last night.

The second-place Cards head to Wrigley tomorrow for a three-game weekend series.

Go Cubs go!

The Cubs Magic Number to win the NL Central equals:

163 - (Cubs wins + losses of NL Central rival with fewest losses).

As of now, that's 163 - (80 + 69), or 163 - 149. 163 - 149 = 14.

Thus, the Cubs Magic Number is 14 Follow CMN on Twitter!

15

Holy cow! The Cubs drubbed the Mets 17-5 at Wrigley on Wednesday night behind a quality start from Jon Lester, a 6 RBI night from Albert Almora, and a 3 RBI night from Willson Contreras.

The offense came alive, as Ben Zobrist reached base in 5 of 6 plate appearances and scored 3 runs, KB reached in 4 of 6 PAs and also scored 3 runs, and Javy Baez went 4-for-5 with a HR and 2 RBI. Almora's three-run homer and three-run triple were his only at-bats, as he entered the game late.  Similarly, Rene Rivera had two hits and two RBI in his only two at bats. That's Cub.

The series wraps up Thursday, and the Cards head to Chicago on Friday to start a three-game set.

Go Cubs go!

The Cubs Magic Number to win the NL Central equals:

163 - (Cubs wins + losses of NL Central rival with fewest losses).

As of now, that's 163 - (79 + 69), or 163 - 148. 163 - 148 = 15.

Thus, the Cubs Magic Number is 15. Follow CMN on Twitter!

16

Cards lose. Cubs up 7-2 over the Mets in the 8th. Stay tuned.

Go Cubs go!

The Cubs Magic Number to win the NL Central equals:

163 - (Cubs wins + losses of NL Central rival with fewest losses).

As of now, that's 163 - (78 + 69), or 163 - 147. 163 - 147 = 16.

Thus, the Cubs Magic Number is 16. Follow CMN on Twitter!

17

Holy cow! The first place Cubs got back to their winning ways Tuesday night at Wrigley, downing the Mets 8-3 behind a dominant start from Jose Quintana (7 IP, 2 ER, 7 K) and a four RBI night from Kris Bryant. That's Cub.

Schwarber and Happ each homered; Kyle reached base in all four of his plate appearances. Willson Contreras returned to action and picked up three walks.

The series continues Wednesday in Chicago.

Go Cubs go!

Photo Credit:  USA Today

The Cubs have 18 regular season games left, including seven versus the Cards and four versus the Brewers. The Cubs Magic Number to win the NL Central equals:

163 - (Cubs wins + losses of NL Central rival with fewest losses).

As of now, that's 163 - (78 + 68), or 163 - 146. 163 - 146 = 17.

Thus, the Cubs Magic Number is 17. Follow CMN on Twitter!

18

Some good news for Cubs fans: the Brewers left town Sunday. The Cubs get a day off Monday and then host the Mets and Cards in back-to-back three game series.

Go Cubs go!

The Cubs have 19 regular season games left, including seven versus the Cards and four versus the Brewers. The Cubs Magic Number to win the NL Central equals:

163 - (Cubs wins + losses of NL Central rival with fewest losses).

As of now, that's 163 - (77 + 68), or 163 - 145. 163 - 145 = 18.

Thus, the Cubs Magic Number is 18. Follow CMN on Twitter!

18

It's been a rough weekend at Wrigley for the Cubs so far, but they hope to wrap up the series with a win over the Brewers Sunday.

After an off day Monday, the Mets and Cards each come to town for three-game sets. Go Cubs go!

The Cubs have 20 regular season games left, including seven versus the Cards and five versus the Brewers. The Cubs Magic Number to win the NL Central equals:

163 - (Cubs wins + losses of NL Central rival with fewest losses).

As of now, that's 163 - (77 + 68), or 163 - 145. 163 - 145 = 18.

Thus, the Cubs Magic Number is 18. Follow CMN on Twitter!

18

The Cubs had a tough loss Friday night to the Brewers despite a dominant start by John Lackey (7 IP, 2 ER, 9 K), but you can't win if you don't score.

The series continues Saturday at Wrigley. Go Cubs go!

The Cubs have 21 regular season games left, including seven versus the Cards and six versus the Brewers. The Cubs Magic Number to win the NL Central equals:

163 - (Cubs wins + losses of NL Central rival with fewest losses).

As of now, that's 163 - (77 + 68), or 163 - 145. 163 - 145 = 18.

Thus, the Cubs Magic Number is 18. Follow CMN on Twitter!

18

Hey hey! The Cubs downed the Bucs 8-2 behind a quality start and RBI double from Jon Lester, two hits and two RBI from Rizzo, and a two-run homer from Albert Almora. That's Cub.

Lester struck out five and allowed only one earned run in six IP. Happ had three hits and J-Hey had a two hit night for the North Siders.

The first place Cubs kick off a nine-game homestand Friday, starting with a three-game set against the Brewers, who are five games back and tied with the Cards for second place in the NL Central.

Go Cubs go!

The Cubs have 22 regular season games left, including seven each versus the Cards and Brewers. While some folks look only at the Cubs' win column, remember that if the Cubs win tons of games in September, then the Brewers and/or Cardinals would also be losing -- at least a few of those games -- to the Cubs.

The Cubs Magic Number to win the NL Central equals:

163 - (Cubs wins + losses of NL Central rival with fewest losses).

As of now, that's 163 - (77 + 68), or 163 - 145. 163 - 145 = 18.

Thus, the Cubs Magic Number is 18. Follow CMN on Twitter!

20

Holy cow! The Cubs won in dramatic fashion Wednesday night, beating the Bucs 1-0 behind a quality start by Jose Quintana and a game-winning, ninth inning, RBI triple by Alex Avila.

The Cubs finally broke through in the 9th, with Rizzo taking a one-out walk. Recent addition Leonys Martin, who made his Cubs debut as a pitcher on Monday night, pinch ran for Rizzo and promptly stole second. After an Ian Happ strikeout, Avila's two-out triple scored Martin and gave Chicago the lead for good.

Quintana had his best outing since his first as a Cub, tossing six scoreless innings while striking out six. Rondon, Strop, and Davis held the Pirates hitless over the final three innings. Davis's save was his 29th of the season.

The series wraps up tomorrow; the North Siders return to Wrigley on Friday for a nine-game homestand against the Brewers, Mets, and Cardinals.

Go Cubs go!

The Cubs have 23 regular season games left including seven each versus the Cards and Brewers. While the math makes our collective brains hurt here at CMN, and while some folks are looking only at the Cubs' win column, remember that if the Cubs win tons of games in September, then the Brewers and/or Cardinals would also be losing -- at least a few games -- to the Cubs.

The Cubs Magic Number to win the NL Central equals:

163 - (Cubs wins + losses of NL Central rival with fewest losses).

As of now, that's 163 - (76 + 67), or 163 - 143. 163 - 143 = 20.

Thus, the Cubs Magic Number is 20. Follow CMN on Twitter!

21

The Brewers lost on Wednesday, moving the Cards into second place for the time being. As a result, the CMN remains at 21. 

The Cubs are in action against the Pirates at PNC while the Cards play in San Diego later tonight. Stay tuned.

24 games remaining (including the game that's underway). Follow CMN on Twitter!

Go Cubs go!

21

After a rough loss and another tough 8th inning the Cubs will be back in action tomorrow night for game 3 versus the Pirates.