WRIGLEY FIELD -- The Cubs vs Cardinals rivalry is one of the most storied rivalries in all of sports and this past weekend baseball fans got a treat as the two division foes faced off with division title hopes on the line.
It was all Cubs as they completed the three game weekend sweep and the second sweep of the year over the red birds with a 4-3 win Sunday afternoon in front of 37,242 fans at the “Friendly Confines”. Stretching their 3-game division lead to 6 with the sweep, the Cubs are a step closer to defending their 2016 World Series crown and it's clear that the motto for the rest of the season is: ONE DAY AT A TIME!
Whether its Joe Maddon responding to questions about Jake Arrieta's return to the mound, Kyle Schwarber talking about the "magic number" or Jason Heyward referring to the team's comfort level, they won't look past anything or anyone.
"I don't think there's any comfort level until we get where we wanna get. One step at a time. We gotta get in. Gotta get to October to win where we wanna win and that's where we're starting. So we're not comfortable until then," says Heyward whose 54th RBI broke a 3-3 tie and was the game winner in Sunday’s victory. The right-fielder has raised his average from .230 in 2016 to .257 this season and come up big in clutch situations this year and will be looked upon more for his leadership down the stretch.
Kyle Schwarber crosses the plate after his 27th HR
"Just one at a time. That's how it is this time of the year especially where we're at. We gotta focus on what we got going on right now and we're doing a really good job of that. Taking it day by day pitch by pitch and just keep going out there doing our thing. Good things are happening," said Schwarber who hit his 27th HR of the season in Sundays W. His .207 avg is HUFF at best but there's no denying what a force Schwarber is when he's "in his bag!"
The Cubs decided to catch wreck at the right time. Addison Russell who returned from a stint on the DL dealing with Plantar Fasciitis looks fully refreshed, the pitching is finding it's groove and the bats have been flourishing. They've won six in a row and have a four game lead over the 2nd place Brewers with 13 games left to play. They'll face the “Brew Crew” in a 4 game series Thursday-Sunday before heading to St. Louis for a four game series September 25th-28th. They will return to Wrigley to finish the regular season against the last place Cincinnati Reds September 29th-October 1st.
Addison Russell slides past Yadier Molina to score in the 4th inning
Jason Heyward and his guys are ready to finish the regular season strong. "You may not feel great every night and we've still found ways to win. That’s what we feel is most important. Just gotta keep that in our minds cuz this is not gonna be easy. We're playing good teams, they're gonna play well and we just gotta find a way to get it done."
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The Cubs head into the last 2 weeks of the season with a 4 game lead over the Brewers