Cubs Clinch NL Central (With a Little Help From The Giants)

The Chicago Cubs clinched the NL Central Division last night although they needed a little assistance from the San Francisco Giants.


Although the Cubs lost 5-4 to the Milwaukee Brewers, a St. Louis Cardinals loss would do the trick. The Cardinals fell to Johnny Cueto and the Giants 6-2.


Still, let's not take away from the fact the Cubs have the best record in MLB at 93-53 some 17 games ahead of the Cardinals. With 16 games left on the regular season schedule the Cubs are very likely to be the only MLB team to reach 100 wins in 2016.


This might very well be the best Cubs team ever. But will it be enough? Given how early they've clinched they could be vulnerable in the NLDS to a team that has played more meaningful games. But with the likes of Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo as well as Jake Arrieta, Jon Lester, Kyle Kendricks plus Aroldis Chapman closing games one would be hard pressed to bet against them.
Make no mistake. The Cubs led the NL Central from start to finish and except for the first couple of weeks in July right before the All-Star Break they have been nearly unstoppable.


The next teams likely to clinch would be the Washington Nationals in the NL East and the Texas Rangers in the AL West. Their magic numbers are 7 & 8, respectively.