Chicago Cubs getting message across to St. Louis Cardinals

The Chicago Cubs beat the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday and Saturday, thus clinching another series win against their National League Central rivals. They are sending a message to the Cardinals that they need to take the Cubs seriously.

Chicago Cubs /

Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs are having a very good weekend. They are facing the team with the best record in baseball, and their division rivals, the St. Louis Cardinals, and they are beating them.

The Cubs faced the Cardinals in St. Louis last week in a must-win series. They did win the series, two out of three games. It could have been a clean sweep, but the bullpen imploded in the last game.

This weekend, they faced another big series against the Cardinals. Again, they are passing the test.

The Cubs beat up on the Cardinals on Friday, winning 8-3. Starlin Castro hit two home runs and had a career-high six RBI in the game.

The game got chippy as Anthony Rizzo was hit after Matt Holiday was hit high. Cardinals’ pitcher Matt Belisle and Manager Mike Matheny were both ejected for hitting Rizzo after the umpire warned both benches after the Holiday beaning.

The two teams battled again on Saturday afternoon. Back-to-back home runs in the fifth inning by Jorge Soler (who was just recently taken off the disabled list) and Kris Bryant (who tied Billy Williams for the most home runs by a Cubs rookie) paced the offense. Bryant also has 95 RBI, which leads all rookies.

The bullpen was shaky again, though. The Cardinals went into the ninth with a 5-1 deficit, but Hector Rondon pitched to just one hitter then got ejected and Zac Rosscup gave up allowed that runner, plus two more to score. Believe it or not, Pedro Strop came in and got his third save of the season, with a little help from Addison Russell. Russell a great dive to his right to get to a ball, and he scooped the ball to Javier Baez at second to get the final out.

Rondon and manager Joe Maddon were ejected in that ninth when Rondon hit Greg Garcia. Both benches were warned when Kolten Wong got hit twice.

The Cubs have been very impressive against the Cardinals. I think they now have their attention.

The Cubs have been scorching hot in the second half. They have a 39-21 record, and have won their last five games. They are now just a half-game behind the Pittsburgh Pirates, pending their game later Saturday night.

Remember, if two teams end up tied for the Wild Card, the head-to-head results determine home field. The Cubs already won the season series against the Pirates, so a tie means the Cubs are ahead of the Pirates.

The Cardinals had their way with the Cubs earlier this season, but things are changing now. These young Cubs do not fear the Cardinals now, and are standing up to them.

Not wanting to add to the fire or give the Cubs any bulletin board material, Matheny did not say much when asked about his reaction to Maddon calling the Cardinals a “vigilante group.”

“I really don’t,” Matheny said. I get it, that it’s a hot topic of conversation. But for us, we realize that almost every day we have somebody saying something about us, and that’s just part of the business. We just have to stick to what we do. Take care of what we have to do. And go play the game.”

With the Cubs win and the San Francisco loss, the Cubs’ magic number to clinch a playoff spot is down to five.

Now it will be interesting to see what October baseball brings to the Chicago Cubs.

Jon Lester tries to give the Cubs the sweep on Sunday. He will face Carlos Martinez.

Next: Javier Baez Making His Case For Helping The Chicago Cubs' Playoff Run

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