The Cubs are National League Central champions for a second consecutive season. Addison Russell hit a three-run shot during a five-run seventh to help Chicago clinch with a 5-1 win over the rival Cardinals at Busch Stadium. John Lackey improved to 12-and-11, holding St. Louis to one run over six innings. The Cubs are going to have the chance to be the first team to win the World Series in back-to-back seasons since the New York Yankees won it three straight times from 1998-to-2000.
St. Louis is three-and-a-half games behind the Rockies for the second Wild Card spot in the NL. Michael Wacha was tagged with the loss.
The Cubs will play Washington next week in the playoffs.
The Angels were eliminated from playoff contention with a 6-4, 10-inning loss to the White Sox in Chicago. The Twins clinched the second AL wild card spot with Chicago's victory. Nicky Delmonico clubbed a two-run, walk-off homer for the Sox. Danny Farquhar picked up the victory.
Kole Calhoun hit a three-run homer for the Halos, whose postseason hopes were dashed with their eighth loss in 10 games. Blake Parker didn't record an out in the 10th and took the loss.
Final game in the series is tonight in Chicago.
