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CHICAGO -- The first team to clinch a postseason berth, the Cardinals asserted themselves against the Cubs with a 4-3 victory Sunday in front of 40,962, and avoided being swept at Wrigley Field for the first time since 2006.
You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. and You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. both homered in the first inning against You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. in the final regular-season meeting between the two National League Central rivals. On Saturday, the Cardinals lost to the Cubs but secured a playoff spot by virtue of the Giants' loss to the D-backs. It's the Cardinals' record fifth consecutive trip to the postseason.
"I thought our guys came out of the box today ready to continue what they started late in the game last night," Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. "I sensed an edge. There's no doubt. They left here with an edge, and they showed up this morning with an edge. They responded perfectly, just how I hoped they would."
After the win, Matheny gathered his players and staff, congratulating them for locking down at least a spot in the NL Wild Card Game presented by Budweiser, but also urging them to keep pushing toward a third straight division title.
"We're excited about it," closer You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. said of advancing to the postseason again. "It's not something we're going to take for granted. Obviously, we would love to win the division and bypass the Wild Card Game, but getting in any way we can is special."
The Cubs, on the other hand, are trying to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2008, and they are two games behind the Pirates for the top NL Wild Card spot. Lester took the loss, which was the first by a Cubs starter in the last 17 games.
"They win, give them credit," Cubs manager You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now., who took the season series, 11-8, and lead the NL Central by four and six games over the Pirates and Cubs, respectively. "They're very good. But I think now we know we can beat them and they know we can beat them, too, and that's a good thing."
WHAT'S NEXT
Cardinals: The Cardinals will open their final homestand of the season on Monday when the Reds come to town for the start of a three-game series. You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now., who was outdueled by rookie You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. on Sept. 10, will match up against the Reds lefty again in the series opener. First pitch is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. CT.
Cubs: You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. will open the Cubs' series against the Brewers on Monday. He has a 2.59 ERA in four starts against the Brewers this season, and is 7-0 with a 2.13 ERA in 10 career starts against them. However, Hammel has a 5.81 ERA in his last 10 starts. First pitch at Wrigley Field is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CT.
You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. and You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. both homered in the first inning against You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. in the final regular-season meeting between the two National League Central rivals. On Saturday, the Cardinals lost to the Cubs but secured a playoff spot by virtue of the Giants' loss to the D-backs. It's the Cardinals' record fifth consecutive trip to the postseason.
"I thought our guys came out of the box today ready to continue what they started late in the game last night," Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. "I sensed an edge. There's no doubt. They left here with an edge, and they showed up this morning with an edge. They responded perfectly, just how I hoped they would."
After the win, Matheny gathered his players and staff, congratulating them for locking down at least a spot in the NL Wild Card Game presented by Budweiser, but also urging them to keep pushing toward a third straight division title.
"We're excited about it," closer You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. said of advancing to the postseason again. "It's not something we're going to take for granted. Obviously, we would love to win the division and bypass the Wild Card Game, but getting in any way we can is special."
The Cubs, on the other hand, are trying to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2008, and they are two games behind the Pirates for the top NL Wild Card spot. Lester took the loss, which was the first by a Cubs starter in the last 17 games.
"They win, give them credit," Cubs manager You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now., who took the season series, 11-8, and lead the NL Central by four and six games over the Pirates and Cubs, respectively. "They're very good. But I think now we know we can beat them and they know we can beat them, too, and that's a good thing."
WHAT'S NEXT
Cardinals: The Cardinals will open their final homestand of the season on Monday when the Reds come to town for the start of a three-game series. You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now., who was outdueled by rookie You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. on Sept. 10, will match up against the Reds lefty again in the series opener. First pitch is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. CT.
Cubs: You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. will open the Cubs' series against the Brewers on Monday. He has a 2.59 ERA in four starts against the Brewers this season, and is 7-0 with a 2.13 ERA in 10 career starts against them. However, Hammel has a 5.81 ERA in his last 10 starts. First pitch at Wrigley Field is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CT.