Cubs 32

Updated through September 17th games. *Angels clinched AL West (9/10). NL Central CHC (4) 91-59 .607 --- MIL 84-68 .553 8.0 CHC (12 G/4 H/8 A): 1 vs. MIL, 3 vs. STL, 4 @NYM, 3 @MIL, 1 @HOU MIL (10 G/6 H/4 A): 1 @CHC, 3 @CIN, 3 vs. PIT, 3 vs. CHC BP Odds to win NL Central CHC: 99.81% (99.98% to make playoffs) MIL: 0.19% (53.81% to make playoffs) NL East PHI (11) 85-67 .559 --- NYM 84-67 .556 0.5 NYM (11 G/7 H/4 A): 1 @WAS, 3 @ATL, 4 vs. CHC, 3 vs. FLA PHI (10 G/6 H/4 A): 1 @ATL, 3 @FLA, 3 vs. ATL, 3 vs. WAS BP Odds to win NL East NYM: 36.08% (62.65% to make playoffs) PHI: 63.66% (81.60% to make playoffs) NL West LAD (8) 79-73 .520 --- ARI 75-76 .497 3.5 LAD (10 G/6 H/4 A): 1 @PIT, 3 vs. SF, 3 vs. SD, 3 @SF ARI (11 G/4 H/7 A): 1 vs. SF, 3 @COL, 4 @STL, 3 vs. COL BP Odds to win NL West LAD: 97.41% (97.41% to make playoffs) ARI: 2.59% (2.59% to make playoffs) NL Wild Card NYM (11) 84-67 .556 --- MIL 84-68 .553 0.5 HOU 80-71 .530 4.0 FLA 79-72 .523 5.0 STL 78-73 .517 6.0 BP Odds to win NL Wild Card MIL: 53.62% NYM: 26.58% PHI: 17.94% HOU: 1.32% FLA: 0.33% STL: 0.04% AL East TBR (10) 90-60 .600 --- BOS 89-63 .586 2.0 TBR (12 G/4 H/8 A): 4 vs. MIN, 4 @BAL, 4 @DET BOS (10 G/7 H/3 A): 3 @TOR, 4 vs. CLE, 3 vs. NYY BP Odds to win AL East TBR:80.19% (99.99% to make playoffs) BOS: 19.81% (99.95% to make playoffs) AL Central CHW (9) 84-67 .556 --- MIN 82-70 .539 2.5 CHW (11 G/4 H/7 A): 1 @NYY, 3 @KC, 3 @MIN, 3 vs. CLE, 1 vs. DET MIN (10 G/6 H/4 A): 4 @TB, 3 vs. CHW, 3 vs. KC BP Odds to win AL Central CHW: 87.62% (87.63% to make playoffs) MIN: 12.38% (12.39% to make playoffs) AL Wild Card BOS (4) 89-63 .586 --- MIN 82-70 .539 7.0 BP Odds to win AL Wild Card BOS: 80.13% TBR: 19.81% MIN: 0.07%

Updated through September 16th games. *Angels clinched AL West (9/10). NL Central CHC (4) 91-58 .611 --- MIL 83-68 .550 9.0 CHC (13 G/5 H/8 A): 1 @HOU, 2 vs. MIL, 3 vs. STL, 4 @NYM, 3 @MIL MIL (11 G/6 H/5 A): 2 @CHC, 3 @CIN, 3 vs. PIT, 3 vs. CHC BP Odds to win NL Central CHC: 99.89% (99.99% to make playoffs) MIL: 0.11% (49.13% to make playoffs) NL East PHI (12) 84-67 .556 --- NYM 83-67 .553 0.5 NYM (12 G/7 H/5 A): 2 @WAS, 3 @ATL, 4 vs. CHC, 3 vs. FLA PHI (11 G/6 H/5 A): 2 @ATL, 3 @FLA, 3 vs. ATL, 3 vs. WAS BP Odds to win NL East NYM: 38.19% (64.25% to make playoffs) PHI: 61.48% (80.22% to make playoffs) NL West LAD (8) 79-72 .523 --- ARI 74-76 .493 4.5 LAD (11 G/6 H/5 A): 2 @PIT, 3 vs. SF, 3 vs. SD, 3 @SF ARI (12 G/5 H/7 A): 2 vs. SF, 3 @COL, 4 @STL, 3 vs. COL BP Odds to win NL West LAD: 98.89% (98.89% to make playoffs) ARI: 1.11% (1.11% to make playoffs) NL Wild Card NYM (12) 83-67 .553 --- MIL 83-68 .550 0.5 HOU 80-70 .533 3.0 STL 78-72 .523 5.0 FLA 78-72 .520 5.0 MIL and PHI (see above) STL (12 G/7 H/5 A): 2@CIN, 3 @CHC, 4 vs. ARI, 3 vs. CIN HOU (12 G/7 H/5 A): 1 vs. CHC, 2 @FLA, 3 @PIT, 3 vs. CIN, 3 vs. ATL BP Odds to win NL Wild Card MIL: 49.02% NYM: 26.05% PHI: 18.74% HOU: 5.32% FLA: 0.42% STL: 0.35% AL East TBR (12) 89-60 .597 --- BOS 89-62 .589 1.0 TBR (13 G/5 H/8 A): 1 vs. BOS, 4 vs. MIN, 4 @BAL, 4 @DET BOS (11 G/7 H/4 A): 1 @TB, 3 @TOR, 4 vs. CLE, 3 vs. NYY BP Odds to win AL East TBR:64.77% (99.96% to make playoffs) BOS: 35.23% (99.96% to make playoffs) AL Central CHW (10) 84-66 .560 --- MIN 82-69 .543 2.5 CHW (12 G/4 H/8 A): 1 vs. DET, 2 @NYY, 3 @KC, 3 @MIN, 3 vs. CLE MIN (11 G/6 H/5 A): 1 @CLE, 4 @TB, 3 vs. CHW, 3 vs. KC BP Odds to win AL Central CHW: 86.94% (86.96% to make playoffs) MIN: 13.06% (13.09% to make playoffs) AL Wild Card BOS (5) 89-62 .589 --- MIN 82-69 .543 7.0 BP Odds to win AL Wild Card BOS: 64.73% TBR: 35.20% MIN: 0.03%

Len mentioned on the telecast tonight that Bush was going Thursdsy instead of Parra. http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080916&content_id=3488160&vkey=news_mil&fext=.jsp&c_id=mil

Haha. NL Central (Cubs magic number: 4) Cubs 0-13...MIL 8-3 to tie (9-2 to win) Cubs 1-12...MIL 9-2 to tie (10-1) Cubs 2-11...MIL 10-1 (11-0) Cubs 3-10...MIL 11-0 Cubs 4-9...MIL (E)

Updated through September 15th games. *Angels clinched AL West (9/10). NL Central CHC (6) 90-58 .608 --- MIL 83-67 .553 8.0 CHC (14 G/6 H/8 A): 1 @HOU, 3 vs. MIL, 3 vs. STL, 4 @NYM, 3 @MIL MIL (12 G/6 H/6 A): 3 @CHC, 3 @CIN, 3 vs. PIT, 3 vs. CHC BP Odds to win NL Central CHC: 99.56% (99.96% to make playoffs) MIL: 0.44% (53.53% to make playoffs) NL East NYM (13) 83-66 .557 --- PHI 83-67 .553 0.5 NYM (13 G/7 H/6 A): 3 @WAS, 3 @ATL, 4 vs. CHC, 3 vs. FLA PHI (12 G/6 H/6 A): 3 @ATL, 3 @FLA, 3 vs. ATL, 3 vs. WAS BP Odds to win NL East NYM: 56.52% (73.36% to make playoffs) PHI: 43.26% (64.41% to make playoffs) NL West LAD (9) 78-72 .520 --- ARI 73-76 .490 4.5 LAD (12 G/6 H/6 A): 3 @PIT, 3 vs. SF, 3 vs. SD, 3 @SF ARI (13 G/6 H/7 A): 3 vs. SF, 3 @COL, 4 @STL, 3 vs. COL BP Odds to win NL West LAD: 98.56% (98.56% to make playoffs) ARI: 1.43% (1.43% to make playoffs) NL Wild Card MIL (13) 83-67 .553 --- PHI (13) 83-67 .553 --- HOU 80-69 .541 2.5 STL 78-71 .523 4.5 MIL and PHI (see above) STL (13 G/7 H/6 A): 3 @CHC, 4 vs. ARI, 3 vs. CIN HOU (13 G/7 H/6 A): 1 vs. CHC, 3 @FLA, 3 @PIT, 3 vs. CIN, 3 vs. ATL BP Odds to win NL Wild Card MIL: 53.08% PHI: 21.15% HOU: 7.62% AL East TBR (14) 88-60 .595 --- BOS (14) 89-61 .593 --- TBR (14 G/6 H/8 A): 2 vs. BOS, 4 vs. MIN, 4 @BAL, 4 @DET BOS (12 G/7 H/5 A): 2 @TB, 3 @TOR, 4 vs. CLE, 3 vs. NYY BP Odds to win AL East TBR: 49.85% (99.87% to make playoffs) BOS: 50.15% (99.89% to make playoffs) AL Central CHW (12) 83-66 .557 --- MIN 82-68 .547 1.5 CHW (13 G/4 H/9 A): 1 vs. DET, 3 @NYY, 3 @KC, 3 @MIN, 3 vs. CLE MIN (12 G/6 H/6 A): 2 @CLE, 4 @TB, 3 vs. CHW, 3 vs. KC BP Odds to win AL Central CHW: 76.54% (76.58% to make playoffs) MIN: 23.46% (23.52% to make playoffs) AL Wild Card BOS (6) 89-61 .593 --- MIN 82-68 .547 7.0 BP Odds to win AL Wild Card BOS: 49.78% TBR: 50.04% MIN: 0.06%

Not going to worry about this one anymore. But just for the heck of it... NL Central (Cubs magic number: 7) Cubs 3-12...MIL 9-3 to tie (10-2 to win) Cubs 4-11...MIL 10-2 (11-1) Cubs 5-10...MIL 11-1 (12-0) Cubs 6-9...MIL 12-0 Cubs 7-8...MIL (E) To make playoffs: Cubs "head-to head"* w/ PHI and HOU (Cubs magic number: 7) Cubs 4-11...PHI 10-2 to tie (11-1 to win)...HOU 13-1 (14-0) Cubs 5-10...PHI 11-1 (12-0)...HOU 14-0 Cubs 6-9...PHI 12-0...HOU (E) Cubs 7-9...PHI (E)

Updated through September 14th games. *Angels clinched AL West (9/10). NL Central CHC (7) 89-58 .605 --- MIL 83-67 .553 7.5 CHC (15 G/6 H/9 A): 2 @HOU, 3 vs. MIL, 3 vs. STL, 4 @NYM, 3 @MIL MIL (12 G/6 H/6 A): 3 @CHC, 3 @CIN, 3 vs. PIT, 3 vs. CHC BP Odds to win NL Central CHC: 99.22% (99.91% to make playoffs) MIL: 0.77% (48.71% to make playoffs) NL East NYM (13) 83-65 .561 --- PHI 83-67 .553 1.0 NYM (14 G/7 H/7 A): 4 @WAS, 3 @ATL, 4 vs. CHC, 3 vs. FLA PHI (12 G/6 H/6 A): 3 @ATL, 3 @FLA, 3 vs. ATL, 3 vs. WAS BP Odds to win NL East NYM: 65.83% (80.42% to make playoffs) PHI: 34.02% (59.33% to make playoffs) NL West LAD (10) 77-72 .517 --- ARI 72-76 .486 4.5 LAD (13 G/6 H/7 A): 4 @PIT, 3 vs. SF, 3 vs. SD, 3 @SF ARI (14 G/7 H/7 A): 4 vs. SF, 3 @COL, 4 @STL, 3 vs. COL BP Odds to win NL West LAD: 98.26% (98.26% to make playoffs) ARI: 1.72% (1.72% to make playoffs) NL Wild Card MIL (13) 83-67 .553 --- PHI (13) 83-67 .553 --- HOU 80-68 .541 2.0 STL 78-71 .523 4.5 MIL and PHI (see above) STL (13 G/7 H/6 A): 3 @CHC, 4 vs. ARI, 3 vs. CIN HOU (14 G/8 H/6 A): 2 vs. CHC, 3 @FLA, 3 @PIT, 3 vs. CIN, 3 vs. ATL BP Odds to win NL Wild Card MIL: 47.95% PHI: 25.31% HOU: 10.70% AL East TBR (14) 88-59 .599 --- BOS 88-61 .591 1.0 TBR (15 G/7 H/8 A): 3 vs. BOS, 4 vs. MIN, 4 @BAL, 4 @DET BOS (13 G/7 H/6 A): 3 @TB, 3 @TOR, 4 vs. CLE, 3 vs. NYY BP Odds to win AL East TBR: 64.01% (99.87% to make playoffs) BOS: 35.99% (99.82% to make playoffs) AL Central CHW (13) 83-65 .561 --- MIN 82-67 .550 1.5 CHW (14 G/4 H/10 A): 1 vs. DET, 4 @NYY, 3 @KC, 3 @MIN, 3 vs. CLE MIN (13 G/6 H/7 A): 3 @CLE, 4 @TB, 3 vs. CHW, 3 vs. KC BP Odds to win AL Central CHW: 76.01% (76.09% to make playoffs) MIN: 23.99% (24.09% to make playoffs) AL Wild Card BOS (8) 88-61 .591 --- MIN 82-67 .550 6.0 BP Odds to win AL Wild Card BOS: 63.84% TBR: 35.86% MIN: 0.10%

Updated through September 13th games. NL Central (Cubs magic number: 10) Cubs 4-12...MIL 9-5 to tie (10-4 to win) Cubs 5-11...MIL 10-4 (11-3) Cubs 6-10...MIL 11-3 (12-2) Cubs 7-9...MIL 12-2 (13-1) Cubs 8-8...MIL 13-1 (14-0) Cubs 9-7...MIL 14-0 To make playoffs: Cubs "head-to head"* w/ PHI, STL, HOU (Cubs magic number: 8) Cubs 4-12...PHI 11-3 to tie (12-2 to win)...HOU 12-3 (13-2)...STL 14-0 Cubs 5-11...PHI 12-2 (13-1)...HOU 13-2 (14-1)...STL (E) Cubs 6-10...PHI 13-1 (14-0)...HOU 14-1 (15-0) Cubs 7-9...PHI 14-0...HOU 15-0 Cubs 8-8...PHI (E)...HOU (E)

Updated through September 13th games. *Angels clinched AL West (9/10). NL Central CHC (10) 88-58 .603 --- MIL 83-65 .561 6.0 CHC (16 G/6 H/10 A): 3 @HOU, 3 vs. MIL, 3 vs. STL, 4 @NYM, 3 @MIL MIL (14 G/6 H/8 A): 2 @PHI, 3 @CHC, 3 @CIN, 3 vs. PIT, 3 vs. CHC BP Odds to win NL Central CHC: 96.69% (99.76% to make playoffs) MIL: 3.20% (67.63% to make playoffs) NL East NYM (13) 83-64 .565 --- PHI 81-67 .547 2.5 NYM (15 G/9 H/7 A): 1 vs. ATL, 4 @WAS, 3 @ATL, 4 vs. CHC, 3 vs. FLA PHI (14 G/8 H/6 A): 2 vs. MIL, 3 @ATL, 3 @FLA, 3 vs. ATL, 3 vs. WAS BP Odds to win NL East NYM: 83.34% (88.48% to make playoffs) PHI: 16.53% (31.29% to make playoffs) NL West LAD (11) 77-71 .520 --- ARI 72-75 .490 4.5 LAD (14 G/6 H/8 A): 1 @COL, 4 @PIT, 3 vs. SF, 3 vs. SD, 3 @SF ARI (15 G/8 H/7 A): 1 vs. CIN, 4 vs. SF, 3 @COL, 4 @STL, 3 vs. COL BP Odds to win NL West LAD: 97.83% (97.83% to make playoffs) ARI: 2.16% (2.16% to make playoffs) NL Wild Card MIL (13) 83-65 .565 --- PHI 81-67 .547 2.0 HOU 80-67 .544 2.5 STL 78-70 .527 5.0 MIL and PHI (see above) STL (14 G/7 H/7 A): 1 @PIT, 3 @CHC, 4 vs. ARI, 3 vs. CIN HOU (15 G/9 H/6 A): 3 vs. CHC, 3 @FLA, 3 @PIT, 3 vs. CIN, 3 vs. ATL BP Odds to win NL Wild Card MIL: 64.43% PHI: 14.77% HOU: 11.53% STL: 1.02% AL East TBR (14) 88-58 .603 --- BOS 87-61 .588 2.0 TBR (16 G/7 H/9 A): 1 @NYY, 3 vs. BOS, 4 vs. MIN, 4 @BAL, 4 @DET BOS (14 G/8 H/6 A): 1 vs. TOR, 3 @TB, 3 @TOR, 4 vs. CLE, 3 vs. NYY BP Odds to win AL East TBR: 74.02% (99.92% to make playoffs) BOS: 25.98% (99.44% to make playoffs) AL Central CHW (16) 81-65 .555 --- MIN 82-66 .554 --- CHW (16 G/7 H/10 A): 3 vs. DET, 4 @NYY, 3 @KC, 3 @MIN, 3 vs. CLE MIN (14 G/6 H/8 A): 1 @BAL, 3 @CLE, 4 @TB, 3 vs. CHW, 3 vs. KC BP Odds to win AL Central CHW: 58.20% (58.28% to make playoffs) MIN: 41.79% (41.89% to make playoffs) AL Wild Card BOS (10) 87-61 .588 --- MIN 82-66 .554 5.0 BP Odds to win AL Wild Card BOS: 73.46% TBR: 25.90% MIN: 0.09%

Updated through September 11th games. *Angels clinched AL West (9/10). NL Central CHC (11) 88-58 .603 --- MIL 83-64 .565 5.5 CHC (16 G/6 H/10 A): 3 @HOU, 3 vs. MIL, 3 vs. STL, 4 @NYM, 3 @MIL (Opp. Win% .552) MIL (15 G/6 H/9 A): 3 @PHI, 3 @CHC, 3 @CIN, 3 vs. PIT, 3 vs. CHC (Opp. Win% .503) BP Odds to win NL Central CHC: 95.25% (99.73% to make playoffs) MIL: 4.65% (74.23% to make playoffs) NL East NYM (14) 82-63 .566 --- PHI 80-67 .544 3.0 NYM (17 G/10 H/7 A): 3 vs. ATL, 4 @WAS, 3 @ATL, 4 vs. CHC, 3 vs. FLA (Opp. Win% .484) PHI (15 G/9 H/6 A): 3 vs. MIL, 3 @ATL, 3 @FLA, 3 vs. ATL, 3 vs. WAS (Opp. Win% .475) BP Odds to win NL East NYM: 87.19% (90.19% to make playoffs) PHI: 12.71% (22.63% to make playoffs) NL West LAD (14) 75-71 .514 --- ARI 71-74 .490 3.5 LAD (16 G/6 H/10 A): 3 @COL, 4 @PIT, 3 vs. SF, 3 vs. SD, 3 @SF (Opp. Win% .425) ARI (17 G/10 H/7 A): 3 vs. CIN, 4 vs. SF, 3 @COL, 4 @STL, 3 vs. COL (Opp. Win% .472) BP Odds to win NL West LAD: 93.23% (93.23% to make playoffs) ARI: 6.71% (6.71% to make playoffs) NL Wild Card MIL (13) 83-64 .565 --- PHI 80-67 .544 3.0 HOU 80-68 .544 3.0 STL 78-68 .534 4.5 MIL and PHI (see above) STL (16 G/7 H/9 A): 3 @PIT, 3 @CHC, 4 vs. ARI, 3 vs. CIN (Opp. Win% .489) HOU (15 G/9 H/6 A): 3 vs. CHC, 3 @FLA, 3 @PIT, 3 vs. CIN, 3 vs. ATL (Opp. Win% .483) BP Odds to win NL Wild Card MIL: 69.58% PHI: 9.92% HOU: 9.25% STL: 3.74% AL East TBR (16) 87-57 .604 --- BOS 85-60 .586 2.5 TBR (18 G/7 H/11 A): 3 @NYY, 3 vs. BOS, 4 vs. MIN, 4 @BAL, 4 @DET (Opp. Win% .518) BOS (17 G/11 H/6 A): 4 vs. TOR, 3 @TB, 3 @TOR, 4 vs. CLE, 3 vs. NYY (Opp. Win% .541) BP Odds to win AL East TBR: 75.43% (99.87% to make playoffs) BOS: 24.55% (98.02% to make playoffs) AL Central CHW (16) 81-65 .555 --- MIN 80-66 .548 1.0 CHW (16 G/7 H/10 A): 3 vs. DET, 4 @NYY, 3 @KC, 3 @MIN, 3 vs. CLE (Opp. Win% .494) MIN (16 G/6 H/10 A): 3 @BAL, 3 @CLE, 4 @TB, 3 vs. CHW, 3 vs. KC (Opp. Win% .505) BP Odds to win AL Central CHW: 71.33% (71.41% to make playoffs) MIN: 28.66% (28.76% to make playoffs) AL Wild Card BOS (12) 85-60 .586 --- MIN 80-66 .548 5.5 TOR 79-67 .541 6.5 BP Odds to win AL Wild Card BOS: 73.47% TBR: 24.44% TOR: 1.80% MIN: 0.10%

No doubt. Just throwing out the disclaimer. Heck at this point, everyone chasing the cubs would need to go crazy in the above scenarios.

Updated with tonight's results. NL Central (Cubs magic number: 11) Cubs 4-12...MIL 9-6 to tie (10-5 to win) Cubs 5-11...MIL 10-5 (11-4) Cubs 6-10...MIL 11-4 (12-3) Cubs 7-9...MIL 12-3 (13-2) Cubs 8-8...MIL 13-2 (14-1) Cubs 9-7...MIL 14-1 (15-0) Cubs 10-6...MIL 15-0 To make playoffs: Cubs "head-to head"* w/ PHI, STL, HOU (Cubs magic number: 8) Cubs 4-12...PHI 12-3 to tie (13-2 to win)...STL 14-2 (15-1)...HOU 12-3 (13-2) Cubs 5-11...PHI 13-2 (14-1)...STL 15-1 (16-0)...HOU 13-2 (14-1) Cubs 6-10...PHI 14-1 (15-0)...STL 16-0...HOU 14-1 (15-0) Cubs 7-9...PHI 15-0...STL (E)...HOU 15-0 Cubs 8-8...PHI (E)...HOU (E) *Numbers/records only "head-to-head" (Cubs vs. Phils, etc.) and not including possibility of PHI going crazy and passing the Mets in the NL East, which would then put the Mets into the picture.

A sweep of the Astros would be nice, but I'd definitely take 2/3. They're on some kind of run right now, winning 13 of their last 14 games (29-10 since August 1st). And on the opposite side of things you have the Diamondbacks, losers of their last 13 of 16 games (currently on a 6 game losing streak).

That is true. I just went strictly off the Wild Card standings, and assuming the Mets win the NL East. I guess in my scenario above, the Mets went crazy too and matched the Phillies run...haha. I'll certainly adjust the "real" scenarios if needed.

Updated through September 10th games. *Angels clinched AL West. NL Central CHC (13) 87-58 .600 --- MIL 83-63 .568 4.5 CHC (17 G/6 H/11 A): 1 @STL, 3 @HOU, 3 vs. MIL, 3 vs. STL, 4 @NYM, 3 @MIL (Opp. Win% .553) MIL (16 G/6 H/10 A): 4 @PHI, 3 @CHC, 3 @CIN, 3 vs. PIT, 3 vs. CHC (Opp. Win% .502) BP Odds to win NL Central CHC: 91.11% (99.44% to make playoffs) MIL: 8.69% (80.74% to make playoffs) NL East NYM (14) 82-63 .566 --- PHI 79-67 .541 3.5 NYM (17 G/10 H/7 A): 3 vs. ATL, 4 @WAS, 3 @ATL, 4 vs. CHC, 3 vs. FLA (Opp. Win% .483) PHI (16 G/10 H/6 A): 4 vs. MIL, 3 @ATL, 3 @FLA, 3 vs. ATL, 3 vs. WAS (Opp. Win% .474) BP Odds to win NL East NYM: 90.12% (92.05% to make playoffs) PHI: 9.76% (16.53% to make playoffs) NL West LAD (14) 75-71 .514 --- ARI 71-74 .490 3.5 LAD (16 G/6 H/10 A): 3 @COL, 4 @PIT, 3 vs. SF, 3 vs. SD, 3 @SF (Opp. Win% .426) ARI (17 G/10 H/7 A): 1 @SF, 3 vs. CIN, 4 vs. SF, 3 @COL, 4 @STL, 3 vs. COL (Opp. Win% .474) BP Odds to win NL West LAD: 93.11% (93.11% to make playoffs) ARI: 6.76% (6.76% to make playoffs) NL Wild Card MIL (13) 83-63 .568 --- PHI 79-67 .541 4.0 HOU 79-68 .541 4.0 STL 78-67 .538 4.5 MIL and PHI (see above) STL (17 G/8 H/9 A): 1 vs. CHC, 3 @PIT, 3 @CHC, 4 vs. ARI, 3 vs. CIN (Opp. Win% .489) HOU (16 G/10 H/6 A): 1 vs. PIT, 3 vs. CHC, 3 @FLA, 3 @PIT, 3 vs. CIN, 3 vs. ATL (Opp. Win% .482) BP Odds to win NL Wild Card MIL: 72.05% CHC: 8.33% PHI: 6.77% STL: 5.05% HOU: 5.87% AL East TBR (16) 87-57 .604 --- BOS 85-60 .586 2.5 TBR (18 G/7 H/11 A): 3 @NYY, 3 vs. BOS, 4 vs. MIN, 4 @BAL, 4 @DET (Opp. Win% .518) BOS (17 G/11 H/6 A): 4 vs. TOR, 3 @TB, 3 @TOR, 4 vs. CLE, 3 vs. NYY (Opp. Win% .541) BP Odds to win AL East TBR: 75.52% (99.83% to make playoffs) BOS: 24.47% (98.29% to make playoffs) AL Central CHW (17) 81-64 .559 --- MIN 80-65 .552 1.0 CHW (17 G/8 H/10 A): 1 vs. TOR, 3 vs. DET, 4 @NYY, 3 @KC, 3 @MIN, 3 vs. CLE (Opp. Win% .502) MIN (17 G/7 H/10 A): 1 vs. KC, 3 @BAL, 3 @CLE, 4 @TB, 3 vs. CHW, 3 vs. KC (Opp. Win% .505) BP Odds to win AL Central CHW: 69.82% (70.04% to make playoffs) MIN: 30.16% (30.44% to make playoffs) AL Wild Card BOS (13) 85-60 .586 --- MIN 80-65 .552 5.0 BP Odds to win AL Wild Card BOS: 73.82% TBR: 24.30% MIN: 0.28%

Updated with last night's results. NL Central (Cubs magic number: 13) Cubs 4-13...MIL 8-8 to tie (9-7 to win) Cubs 5-12...MIL 9-7 (10-6) Cubs 6-11...MIL 10-6 (11-5) Cubs 7-10...MIL 11-5 (12-4) Cubs 8-9...MIL 12-4 (13-3) Cubs 9-8...MIL 13-3 (14-2) Cubs 10-7...MIL 14-2 (15-1) Cubs 11-6...MIL 15-1 (16-0) Cubs 12-5...MIL 16-0 To make playoffs: Cubs "head-to head" w/ PHI, STL, HOU (Cubs magic number: 9) Cubs 4-13...PHI 12-4 to tie (13-3 to win)...STL 13-4 (14-3)...HOU 12-4 (13-3) Cubs 5-12...PHI 13-3 (14-2)...STL 14-3 (15-2)...HOU 13-3 (14-2) Cubs 6-11...PHI 14-2 (15-1)...STL 15-2 (16-1)...HOU 14-2 (15-1) Cubs 7-10...PHI 15-1 (16-0)...STL 16-1 (17-0)...HOU 15-1 (16-0) Cubs 8-9...PHI 16-0...STL 17-0...HOU 16-0 Cubs 9-8...PHI (E)...STL (E)...HOU (E)

Updated through September 9th games. NL Central CHC (14) 86-58 .597 --- MIL 82-63 .566 4.5 CHC (18 G/6 H/12 A): 2 @STL, 3 @HOU, 3 vs. MIL, 3 vs. STL, 4 @NYM, 3 @MIL (Opp. Win% .552) MIL (17 G/7 H/10 A): 1 vs. CIN, 4 @PHI, 3 @CHC, 3 @CIN, 3 vs. PIT, 3 vs. CHC (Opp. Win% .503) BP Odds to win NL Central CHC: 89.79% (98.78% to make playoffs) MIL: 9.62% (73.26% to make playoffs) NL East NYM (16) 81-63 .563 --- PHI 79-66 .545 2.5 NYM (18 G/11 H/7 A): 1 vs. WAS, 3 vs. ATL, 4 @WAS, 3 @ATL, 4 vs. CHC, 3 vs. FLA (Opp. Win% .480) PHI (17 G/11 H/6 A): 1 vs. FLA, 4 vs. MIL, 3 @ATL, 3 @FLA, 3 vs. ATL, 3 vs. WAS (Opp. Win% .472) BP Odds to win NL East NYM: 82.84% (86.76% to make playoffs) PHI: 17.08% (26.73% to make playoffs) NL West LAD (16) 74-71 .510 --- ARI 71-73 .493 2.5 LAD (17 G/6 H/11 A): 1 @SD, 3 @COL, 4 @PIT, 3 vs. SF, 3 vs. SD, 3 @SF (Opp. Win% .427) ARI (18 G/10 H/8 A): 2 @SF, 3 vs. CIN, 4 vs. SF, 3 @COL, 4 @STL, 3 vs. COL (Opp. Win% .476) BP Odds to win NL West LAD: 86.24% (86.24% to make playoffs) ARI: 13.41% (13.41% to make playoffs) NL Wild Card MIL (15) 82-63 .566 --- PHI 79-66 .545 3.0 STL 78-66 .542 3.5 HOU 78-67 .538 4.0 MIL and PHI (see above) STL (18 G/9 H/9 A): 2 vs. CHC, 3 @PIT, 3 @CHC, 4 vs. ARI, 3 vs. CIN (Opp. Win% .491) HOU (17 G/11 H/6 A): 2 vs. PIT, 3 vs. CHC, 3 @FLA, 3 @PIT, 3 vs. CIN, 3 vs. ATL (Opp. Win% .481) BP Odds to win NL Wild Card MIL: 63.66% CHC: 8.99% PHI: 9.65% STL: 8.56% HOU: 5.22% AL East TBR (18) 86-57 .601 --- BOS 85-59 .590 1.5 TBR (19 G/7 H/12 A): 1 @BOS, 3 @NYY, 3 vs. BOS, 4 vs. MIN, 4 @BAL, 4 @DET (Opp. Win% .520) BOS (18 G/12 H/6 A): 1 vs. TB, 4 vs. TOR, 3 @TB, 3 @TOR, 4 vs. CLE, 3 vs. NYY (Opp. Win% .541) BP Odds to win AL East TBR: 61.83% (99.65% to make playoffs) BOS: 38.14% (98.47% to make playoffs) AL Central CHW (18) 80-64 .556 --- MIN 79-65 .549 1.0 CHW (18 G/8 H/10 A): 2 vs. TOR, 3 vs. DET, 4 @NYY, 3 @KC, 3 @MIN, 3 vs. CLE (Opp. Win% .504) MIN (18 G/8 H/10 A): 2 vs. KC, 3 @BAL, 3 @CLE, 4 @TB, 3 vs. CHW, 3 vs. KC (Opp. Win% .504) BP Odds to win AL Central CHW: 68.58% (68.71% to make playoffs) MIN: 31.40% (31.56% to make playoffs) AL West LAA (2) 87-57 .604 AL Wild Card BOS (13) 85-59 .590 --- MIN 79-65 .549 6.0 BP Odds to win AL Wild Card BOS: 60.34% TBR: 37.81% MIN: 0.16%

Updated...and the Brewers lose again. Thanks goes out to DBR's. NL Central (Cubs magic number: 14) Cubs 4-14...MIL 8-9 to tie (9-8 to win) Cubs 5-13...MIL 9-8 (10-7) Cubs 6-12...MIL 10-7 (11-6) Cubs 7-11...MIL 11-6 (12-5) Cubs 8-10...MIL 12-7 (13-4) Cubs 9-9...MIL 13-4 (14-3) Cubs 10-8...MIL 14-3 (15-2) Cubs 11-7...MIL 15-2 (16-1) Cubs 12-6...MIL 16-1 (17-0) Cubs 13-5...MIL 17-0

Partial update with tonight's results (Cubs/Phils losses and Cards/Astros wins). To make playoffs: Cubs "head-to head" w/ PHI, STL, HOU (Cubs magic number: 11) Cubs 4-14...PHI 11-6 to tie (12-5 to win)...STL 12-6 (13-5)...HOU 12-5 (13-4) Cubs 5-13...PHI 12-5 (13-4)...STL 13-5 (14-4)...HOU 13-4 (14-3) Cubs 6-12...PHI 13-4 (14-3)...STL 14-4 (15-3)...HOU 14-3 (15-2) Cubs 7-11...PHI 14-3 (15-2)...STL 15-3 (16-2)...HOU 15-2 (16-1) Cubs 8-10...PHI 15-2 (16-1)...STL 16-2 (17-1)...HOU 16-1 (17-0) Cubs 9-9...PHI 16-1 (17-0)...STL 17-1 (18-0)...HOU 17-0 Cubs 10-8...PHI 17-0...STL 18-0...HOU (E) Cubs 11-7...PHI (E)...STL (E)

Magic number.

I was in England for two weeks in June of '98, the month when Sosa hit 20 HR. With little access to what was going on back in the States, I relied on my Dad's daily phone calls...it seemed like Sammy hit a HR every night. The other memory that stands out was when Sosa hit numbers 61 and 62 against the Brewers at Wrigley. The look on my Dad's face (and my Mom's happy tears) was priceless, and a baseball moment we'll share for enternity. Of course the Wild Card playoff game against the Giants was fun as well. Trachsel going 6 hitless innings...the Gaetti HR...and Shooter getting Joe Carter to pop up to end the game. I ended up going to game 3 of the NLDS at Wrigley, which in itself was largely forgettable outside the fact I got to see a Cubs playoff game in person. That was a fun season, although a bit tainted now.

Updated through September 8th games. NL Central CHC (15) 86-57 .601 --- MIL 82-62 .569 4.5 CHC (19 G/6 H/13 A): 3 @STL, 3 @HOU, 3 vs. MIL, 3 vs. STL, 4 @NYM, 3 @MIL (Opp. Win% .550) MIL (18 G/8 H/10 A): 2 vs. CIN, 4 @PHI, 3 @CHC, 3 @CIN, 3 vs. PIT, 3 vs. CHC (Opp. Win% .505) BP Odds to win NL Central CHC: 88.78% (99.09% to make playoffs) MIL: 10.95% (80.43% to make playoffs) NL East NYM (18) 80-63 .559 --- PHI 79-65 .549 1.5 NYM (19 G/12 H/7 A): 2 vs. WAS, 3 vs. ATL, 4 @WAS, 3 @ATL, 4 vs. CHC, 3 vs. FLA (Opp. Win% .480) PHI (18 G/12 H/6 A): 2 vs. FLA, 4 vs. MIL, 3 @ATL, 3 @FLA, 3 vs. ATL, 3 vs. WAS (Opp. Win% .472) BP Odds to win NL East NYM: 73.41% (78.27% to make playoffs) PHI: 26.53% (34.66% to make playoffs) NL West LAD (18) 73-71 .507 --- ARI 71-72 .497 1.5 LAD (18 G/6 H/12 A): 2 @SD, 3 @COL, 4 @PIT, 3 vs. SF, 3 vs. SD, 3 @SF (Opp. Win% .429) ARI (19 G/10 H/9 A): 2 @SF, 3 vs. CIN, 4 vs. SF, 3 @COL, 4 @STL, 3 vs. COL (Opp. Win% .474) BP Odds to win NL West LAD: 76.48% (76.48% to make playoffs) ARI: 22.76% (22.76% to make playoffs) NL Wild Card MIL (16) 82-62 .569 --- PHI 79-65 .549 3.0 STL 77-66 .538 4.5 HOU 77-67 .535 5.0 MIL and PHI (see above) STL (19 G/10 H/9 A): 3 vs. CHC, 3 @PIT, 3 @CHC, 4 vs. ARI, 3 vs. CIN (Opp. Win% .492) HOU (18 G/12 H/6 A): 3 vs. PIT, 3 vs. CHC, 3 @FLA, 3 @PIT, 3 vs. CIN, 3 vs. ATL (Opp. Win% .480) BP Odds to win NL Wild Card MIL: 69.48% CHC: 10.31% PHI: 8.14% STL: 4.47% HOU: 2.74% AL East TBR (20) 85-57 .599 --- BOS 85-58 .594 0.5 TBR (20 G/7 H/13 A): 2 @BOS, 3 @NYY, 3 vs. BOS, 4 vs. MIN, 4 @BAL, 4 @DET (Opp. Win% .521) BOS (19 G/13 H/6 A): 2 vs. TB, 4 vs. TOR, 3 @TB, 3 @TOR, 4 vs. CLE, 3 vs. NYY (Opp. Win% .537) BP Odds to win AL East TBR: 47.44% (99.43% to make playoffs) BOS: 52.55% (99.41% to make playoffs) AL Central CHW (18) 80-62 .563 --- MIN 78-65 .545 2.5 CHW (20 G/10 H/10 A): 4 vs. TOR, 3 vs. DET, 4 @NYY, 3 @KC, 3 @MIN, 3 vs. CLE (Opp. Win% .502) MIN (19 G/9 H/10 A): 3 vs. KC, 3 @BAL, 3 @CLE, 4 @TB, 3 vs. CHW, 3 vs. KC (Opp. Win% .505) BP Odds to win AL Central CHW: 82.48% (82.66% to make playoffs) MIN: 17.51% (17.84% to make playoffs) AL West LAA (2) 87-56 .608 AL Wild Card BOS (13) 85-58 .594 --- MIN 78-65 .545 7.0 BP Odds to win AL Wild Card BOS: 46.86% TBR: 51.99% MIN: 0.33%

Updated after tonight's games. NL Central (Cubs magic number: 15) Cubs 4-15...MIL 8-10 to tie (9-9 to win) Cubs 5-14...MIL 9-9 (10-8) Cubs 6-13...MIL 10-8 (11-7) Cubs 7-12...MIL 11-7 (12-6) Cubs 8-11...MIL 12-6 (13-5) Cubs 9-10...MIL 13-5 (14-4) Cubs 10-9...MIL 14-4 (15-3) Cubs 11-8...MIL 15-3 (16-2) Cubs 12-7...MIL 16-2 (17-1) Cubs 13-6...MIL 17-1 (18-0) Cubs 14-5...MIL 18-0 To make playoffs: Cubs "head-to head" w/ PHI, STL, HOU (Cubs magic number: 12) Cubs 4-15...PHI 11-7 to tie (12-6 to win)...STL 15-4 (16-3)...HOU 13-5 (14-4) Cubs 5-14...PHI 12-6 (13-5)...STL 14-5 (15-4)...HOU 14-4 (15-3) Cubs 6-13...PHI 13-5 (14-4)...STL 15-4 (16-3)...HOU 15-3 (16-2) Cubs 7-12...PHI 14-4 (15-3)...STL 16-3 (17-2)...HOU 16-2 (17-1) Cubs 8-11...PHI 15-3 (16-2)...STL 17-2 (18-1)...HOU 17-1 (18-0) Cubs 9-10...PHI 16-2 (17-1)...STL 18-1 (19-0)...HOU 18-0 Cubs 10-9...PHI 17-1 (18-0)...STL 19-0...HOU (E) Cubs 11-8...PHI 18-0...STL (E)

And more statistical proof, that despite the current state of suck, the Cubs are still very good and are going to the playoffs. Run Differential (NL) 1. Cubs: +176 2. Phillies: +95 3. Mets: +83 4. Brewers: +69 5. Cardinals: +52 Cubs actual record vs. pythag record: 86-57 (89-54/-3 "luck") Brewers actual vs. pythag: 82-61 (79-64/+2) Phillies actual vs. pythag: 78-65 (82-61/-4) Cardinals actual vs. pythag: 77-66 (77-66/0) Cubs team batting stats/NL ranks Runs scored: 769 (1st) BA: .280 (1st) OBP: .358 (1st) SLG: .448 (1st) OPS: .806 (1st) OPS+: 112 (1st) XBH: 478 (2nd) BB: 574 (1st) Cubs team pitching stats/NL ranks Runs allowed: 593 (tied for 2nd) ERA: 3.86 (4th) ERA+: 117 (2nd) WHIP: 1.29 (tied for 1st) SO: 1119 (1st) K/BB: 2.35 (3rd) BAA: .242 (1st) OBP: .315 (1st) SLG: .400 (3rd) OPS: .715 (2nd)

Here's how the schedule (and head-to-head season records) looks for the next two weeks (with the Cubs two closest competiters at the moment). Cubs (51-24 at home/35-33 away) 9/9-9/11: @ STL (Cubs 5-4 vs. STL...3-3 at STL) 9/12-9/14: @ HOU (Cubs 6-9 vs. HOU...2-4 at HOU) 9/16-9/18: vs. MIL (Cubs 6-4 vs. MIL...2-4 at Wrigley) 9/19-9/21: vs. STL (Cubs 5-4 vs. STL...2-1 at Wrigley) Brewers (43-29 home/39-32 away) 9/8-9/10: vs. CIN (MIL 6-6 vs. CIN...2-4 at MIL) 9/11-9/14: @ PHI (MIL 1-1 vs. PHI) 9/16-9/18: @ CHC (MIL 6-4 vs. CHC...4-2 at CHC) 9/19-9/21: @ CIN (MIL 6-6 vs. CIN...4-2) Phillies (39-29 home/39-36 away) 4 GB in the Wild Card...2 GB in the NL East 9/8-9/10: vs. FLA (PHI 5-7 vs. FLA...3-3 at PHI) 9/11-9/14: vs. MIL (PHI 1-1 vs. MIL) 9/16-9/18: @ ATL (PHI 10-2 vs. ATL...6-0 at ATL) 9/19-9/21: @ FLA (PHI 5-7 vs. FLA...2-4 at FLA)