Cubs Lose, Cardinals Lose Wednesday

The Milwaukee Brewers made a statement by taking two out of three against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. If the Cubs are to repeat as National League Central champs, they need to find some energy and their offense.

The Cubs lost to the Brewers 5-1 Wednesday night. Kris Bryant doubled in the only Cubs run.

Kyle Hendricks pitched well enough, allowing two runs in five innings before being taken down for a pinch-hitter, but there is no margin for error given the Cubs' weak offensive effort.

Now, the Cubs are set to play a makeup game today at 3:05pm in Washington, then will fly back to Chicago to begin a three-game series against the Reds. By the way, the Friday game start has been pushed back to 7:05pm to give the Cubs a few hours to catch their collective breath. The makeup game comes in a stretch of 30 consecutive days without a break.

Meanwhile, one last chance to pad their National League Wild Card position by knocking around a team already out of postseason contention passed the St. Louis Cardinals by on Wednesday afternoon in much the same way too many have lately--with an assortment of run-scoring opportunities left untapped.

The Pittsburgh Pirates held for a 4-3 win at Busch Stadium to salvage something from their final stop in St. Louis this season. The Cardinals, in turn, forge ahead on a road that's about to become much more treacherous.

With a succession of series against clubs out of postseason contention now over, the Cardinals pivot their attention to the Dodgers, their closest competition for the NL's second Wild Card spot. Los Angeles will arrive in St. Louis today, two games back of the Cardinals, who themselves sit two games behind the Brewers.