Cubs advance in NL Central

<p class = "canvas-atom-canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – smt Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "September is upon us, which means that all Major League Baseball races are heading to the home game. Every game counts more than ever for teams vying for a playoff spot. That's why every night between the end of the regular season and the end of the regular season, we will provide you with an updated overview of MLB's post-season photo."data-reactid =" 16 ">September is upon us, which means that all Major League Baseball races are heading to the home game. Every game counts more than ever for teams vying for a playoff spot. That's why every night between the end of the regular season and the end of the regular season, we will provide you with an updated overview of MLB's post-season photo.

The Chicago Cubs may be stuck in the middle of a busy schedule, but the team can not afford to play one game. The Cubs won a necessary victory from 4 to 3 on Thursday night in a catch-up match against the Washington Nationals, giving the team some room to maneuver in the Central National League.

The win pushed Chicago to the top of NL Central by 1.5 games. And while it's not a lot, the team needs all the help they need if they hope to push back the Milwaukee Brewers.

Milwaukee was inactive Thursday, but the team has played well lately. The Brewers are 8-2 in their last 10 games, including two of three Cubs in their last series.

The brewers are also in a favorable position. Three of the remaining four sets of the team are opposed to teams of less than 500 men.

The Cubs have a harder time doing it, but not much, which is why the team that extends its half-game lead could make all the difference. Each win counts for both clubs, but the Cubs have the upper hand now.

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<p class = "canvas-atom-canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – smt Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "• To the East: The Boston Red Sox have already won the American East and are now focusing on the best record in the American League. They have a good chance of getting this result. The team won Thursday's No. 101 win with a 4-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays. "Data-reactid =" 33 ">• To the East: The Boston Red Sox have already won the American East and are now focusing on the best record in the American League. They have a good chance of getting this result. The team won Thursday's # 101 win with a 4-3 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays.

<p class = "canvas-atom-canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – smt Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "• Central AL: The Cleveland Indians did not play Thursday night. Their take on the Central American League is firm. The team has a 15-game lead over the Minnesota Twins, who lost to the Kansas City Royals on Thursday. "Data-reactid =" 34 ">• Central AL: The Cleveland Indians did not play Thursday night. Their take on the Central American League is firm. The team holds a 15-game lead over the Minnesota Twins, who lost to the Kansas City Royals on Thursday.

<p class = "canvas-atom-canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – smt Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "• AL West: The Houston Astros did not play a game, but still managed to gain ground in the division. The Oakland Athletics fell against the Baltimore Orioles, losing 5-3. Oakland is now trailing the Astros by 3.5 games.
"data-reactid =" 35 ">• AL West: The Houston Astros did not play a game, but still managed to gain ground in the division. The Oakland Athletics fell against the Baltimore Orioles, losing 5-3. Oakland is now trailing the Astros by 3.5 games.

<p class = "canvas-atom-canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – smt Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "• AL Wild Card: The New York Yankees did not play on Thursday. With the defeat of the A, the Yankees occupy first place in the Wild Card standings with 1.5 games. The As remain in second place on the Wild AL card, where they hold an eight-game lead over the Tampa Bay Rays."data-reactid =" 36 ">• AL Wild Card: The New York Yankees did not play on Thursday. With the defeat of the A, the Yankees occupy first place in the Wild Card standings with 1.5 games. The As remain in second place on the Wild AL card, where they hold an eight-game lead over the Tampa Bay Rays.

<p class = "canvas-atom-canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – smt Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "• NL East:The Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies were eliminated, so nothing changed at the top of the division. The Braves still have 7.5 games. "Data-reactid =" 37 ">• NL East:The Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies were eliminated, so nothing changed at the top of the division. The Braves are still up 7.5 games.

<p class = "canvas-atom-canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – smt Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "• NL West:The Colorado Rockies won another victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks, pushing Arizona to 4.5 games. The Los Angeles Dodgers continued to put pressure on the Rockies, defeating the Cardinals of St. Louis 9-7. Los Angeles is only 1.5 games away from the Rockies. "Data-reactid =" 38 ">• NL West:The Colorado Rockies won another victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks, pushing Arizona to 4.5 games. The Los Angeles Dodgers continued to put pressure on the Rockies, defeating the Cardinals of St. Louis 9-7. Los Angeles is just 1.5 games behind the Rockies.

<p class = "canvas-atom-canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – smt Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "• NL Wild Card: The Brewers have amassed a half-game lead for first place in the National League wild card. They are now leading the Cardinals by three games. With the loss, the Cardinals lead the Dodgers by one game for second place in the wild card. "Data-reactid =" 39 ">• NL Wild Card: The Brewers have amassed a half-game lead for first place in the National League wild card. They are now leading the Cardinals by three games. With the loss, the Cardinals lead the Dodgers by one game for second place.

Magic Number Watch

<p class = "canvas-atom-canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – smt Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "• Cleveland Indians – 2: Cleveland saw their chances improve even though the team did not play Thursday. The Twins' loss to the Royals dropped Cleveland's magic number to two games. "Data-reactid =" 41 ">• Cleveland Indians – 2: Cleveland saw their chances improve even though the team did not play Thursday. The Twins' loss to the Royals pushed Cleveland's magic number to two games.

<p class = "canvas-atom-canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – smt Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "• Boston Red Sox – 6: The recent winning streak of the Red Sox has pushed the magic number of the team to just six. Cleveland and Boston are the only two teams in the majors with one-digit magic numbers. "Data-reactid =" 42 ">• Boston Red Sox – 6: The recent winning streak of the Red Sox has pushed the magic number of the team to just six. Cleveland and Boston are the only two teams in the majors with one-digit magic numbers.

If the playoffs started tomorrow

<p class = "canvas-atom-canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – smt Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "Wild card games: A at Yankees; Cardinals at Brewers "data-reactid =" 44 ">Wild card games: A at Yankees; Cardinals at Brewers

<p class = "canvas-atom-canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – smt Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "ALDS: Indians in Astros; Winner of the Wild Card against Red Sox "data-reactid =" 45 ">ALDS: Indians in Astros; Winner of the Wild Card against Red Sox

<p class = "canvas-atom-canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – smt Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "NLDS: Rockies in Atlanta; Winner of Wild-card against Cubs "data-reactid =" 46 ">NLDS: Rockies in Atlanta; Winner of Wild Card against Cubs

Watch the elimination

The Los Angeles Angels have been eliminated and several teams could be next. The New York Twins and Mets are three games away. The San Francisco Giants are not far behind. They are four games.

The story continues