MLB playoff picture: Diamondbacks clinch; Cubs closing in on NL Central title
The latest on all of Major League Baseball's remaining pennant races, as we sail toward the regular-season finales on Oct. 1:
Sunday's big winner: The Arizona Diamondbacks celebrated their National League wild card berth with a Chase Field pool party. In a non-nondescript moment in the foruth inning, the Diamondbacks officially clinched a berth after the St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers both lost. The D'backs will host either the Colorado Rockies, Brewers or Cardinals at home on Oct. 4.
The Washington Nationals also edged the New York Mets to clinch NL Division Series home field advantage.
Sunday's big loser: The Chicago Cubs beat Milwaukee Brewers 5-0 to close in on a second straight NL Central title and damage the Brewers’ playoff hopes. The Cubs won three of four in the weekend series and opened a 5 1/2-game lead over the second-place Brewers with seven games remaining. The Brewers sit two games behind the Colorado Rockies for the second NL wild card spot.
Magic matters: The Chicago Cubs' magic number to clinch the NL Central is two over the St. Louis Cardinals and Brewers. The earliest the reigning World Series champions could clinch the division would be Tuesday, because the Brewers are off on Monday.
Today’s can’t-miss game: Cubs at Cardinals. The Cardinals host the Cubs in a pivotal four-game series. Jon Lester, with a 5.91 ERA in four September starts for the Cubs, will face the Cardinals' Luke Weaver (7-1, 2.05 ERA) on Monday. The Cardinals are 2 1/2 games behind the Rockies for the second NL wild card and six games out of the NL Central.
AL East
Red Sox (91-64) — Magic number 3
Yankees (86-68) — 3 GB
AL Central
Indians (98-58) — Clinched division
AL West
Astros (95-60) — Clinched division
NL East
Nationals (94-61) — Clinched division
NL Central
Cubs (87-68) — Magic number 2
Brewers (82-74) — 5.5 GB
NL West
Dodgers (99-57) — Clinched division
AL wild card
x-Yankees (86-69) — +4.5
Twins (82-74) —
Angels (77-78) — 4.5 GB
Royals (76-79) — 5.5 GB
Rangers (76-79) — 5.5 GB
NL wild card
Diamondbacks (90-66) — +6
Rockies (84-72) —
Brewers (82-74) — 2 GB
Cardinals (81-74) — 2.5 GB
Gallery: Teams celebrate a postseason berth