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Jonathan Daniel/Getty ImagesThe Chicago Cubs clinched a spot in the 2018 MLB postseason thanks to the Milwaukee Brewers' 2-1 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday.Chicago Cubs CubsIn. 鉁旓笍 WQy3PbrWDGAt the conclusion of Milwaukee's victory http://www.indiansfanproshop.com/authentic-jim-thome-jersey , Chicago (91-66) was neck-and-neck with the Brewers (92-67) in the race for the National League Central title.It marks the Cubs' fourth consecutive playoff appearance, as they have not missed the postseason since Joe Maddon took over as manager in November 2015. The team has made it to the National League Championship Series in each of the last three seasons and snapped a 108-year championship drought in 2016.Chicago hovered around .500 for the first month in the ultra-competitive NL Central, but the team hit a groove in May and later put itself in prime playoff position with a seven-game winning streak near the end of August.The North Siders have been propelled by MVP candidate Javier Baez, who is hitting .294this season with 34home runs, 38 doubles, ninetriples and an NL-leading 110 RBI. And, of course, he is among the best defenders in baseball.Although the Cubs are once again ready to play for a championship, it hasn't been the easiest of rides.During his second stint on the disabled list, 2016 NL MVP Kris Bryant missed 35 games because of left shoulder inflammation. Prized free-agent signing Yu Darvish (1-3, 4.95 ERA in eight starts) struggled before Chicago lost him for the season on May 20, and he underwentarthroscopic surgery on his right elbow in early September. The club, however, did bolster its roster this summer, adding starting pitcher Cole Hamels, relievers Jesse Chavez and Brandon Kintzler and second baseman Daniel Murphy.With Baez, Bryant, Anthony Rizzo Manny Ramirez Jersey , Jon Lester and Co. having already proved themselves capable of winning a championship, adding new blood to the clubhouse provided a boost for the stretch run.With a playoff spot wrapped up, the Cubs will look to finish the regular season with some momentum as they chase their second World Series title in three years. It took a historic marathon of a National League Wild Card Game, but the Colorado Rockies' dreams of a first World Series title are still alive.Colorado defeated the Chicago Cubs, 2-1, in a 13-inning showdown Tuesday at Wrigley Field. It was the longest win-or-go-home playoff game in MLB history, and it prevented the Cubs from reaching their fourth straight National League Championship Series.Tony Wolters, who did not start the game, delivered the game-winning RBI single in the top of the 13th, and Scott Oberg closed the door on the North Siders in the bottom of the frame. Rockies Bats Must Find Road Magic for World Series RunColorado's offensive struggles on the road were a primary talking point entering the playoffs, for good reason.According toESPN.com,the Rockies led MLB in OPS at home but were an ugly 27thawayfrom Coors Field. Those issues were on full display during Monday's National League West tiebreaker loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers,as they didn't score until the ninth inning, and they looked to rear their ugly head again Tuesday when Nolan Arenado's sacrifice fly in the first inning was their only run until the 13th.However, October often comes down to unexpected heroes, as Colorado can now attest.ESPN espnBIGGEST HIT OF HIS CAREER!Tony Wolters comes up CLUTCH to give the Rockies the lead. Za9rxVoWyTJeff Passan JeffPassanOf course its the Rockies third catcher who gives them the lead. Tony Wolters, two-strike single, Rockies up 2-1.With two outs and nobody on base Danny Salazar Jersey , Trevor Story and Gerardo Parra singled before Wolters drove home the winner. While Story is a notable name, Parra and Wolters were not exactly the expected heroes in a lineup featuring Arenado, Charlie Blackmon, DJ LeMahieu, Carlos Gonzalez and Ian Desmond.The Rockies will need that type of October magic to deliver a championship to Colorado. Otherwise, their pitchers will need to be brilliant, like starter Kyle Freeland was against the Cubs with 6.2 scoreless innings and six strikeouts.The Rockies' road issues aren't going to disappear overnight, but a timely hit in clutch moments can be the difference between an early exit and a deep postseason run.Toothless Cubs Must Find Offensive Answers Next SeasonJon Lester deserved better.The three-time World Series champion entered Tuesday's contest with a 2.55 ERA and 1.03 WHIP in 25 playoff appearances, and he threw another masterpiece, allowing one run, four hits and one walk while striking out nine in six brilliant innings. He was the emotional leader for the team, consistently imploring the offense and crowd to deliver.James Neveau JamesNeveauJon Lester is on the Mount Rushmore of Chicago free agent signings and I will hear no protest on the matter.Sahadev Sharma sahadevsharmaWhat a great performance by Lester. Sure, he was a little lucky with some hard contact finding gloves, but man, 9 Ks, just 1 walk and 1 run allowed in six strong. Thats usually enough to win a game. Usually... Happ is going to pinch-hit for him. Impressive performance.It was all for naught, as one of the worst offenses in baseball over the final month put up one measly run.Chicago ranked 24th in OPS in September, perESPN.com http://www.indiansfanproshop.com/authentic-trevor-bauer-jersey , which is a primary reason the Milwaukee Brewers caught them and won the National League Central. There was also a power outage on the North Side, as an offense that was third in the National League in homers in 2017 was a mere 11th this year.Javier Baez鈥攊n a fitting metaphor for a season in which he carried Chicago's offense on his back for extended stretches鈥攄elivered a game-tying double in the eighth, but that was the Cubs' only run.Jason Patt Bulls_JayTheo is probably writing up a $500M contract for Bryce Harper in his suite right now.The offense on display in the most important games of the year will not cut it for a win-now team with a number of core pieces still in place. The Cubs must find offensive answers this offseason, whether it is signing Bryce Harper, changing some of the coaching staff, adding lower-profile but impactful bats or rehabbing Kris Bryant after he dealt with injuries throughout the season.Otherwise, they won't be World Series contenders in 2019.Brewers Bullpen vs. Rockies Starters Will Determine NLDSThe battle within the battle in the Division Series between the Rockies and Brewers will be which team can beat the other's strength.Milwaukee can build an early lead with Christian Yelich, Lorenzo Cain and the rest of the offense and then drastically shorten contests with a dominant bullpen featuring the likes of Josh Hader, Joakim Soria, Corey Knebel and Jeremy Jeffress. All manager Craig Counsell needs is four or five effective innings from the starters, and the bullpen can do the rest.That was the blueprint the Brewers used to beat the Cubs in Monday's divisional tiebreaker game when Jhoulys Chacin allowed one run in 5.2 innings before the bullpen slammed the door.On the other side, Freeland and German Marquez form a daunting one-two punch of starting pitchers who can dictate the series with three starts between them. Freeland's prowess was on full display at Wrigley, while Marquez wasnamedNational League Pitcher of the Month in September with a 2.14 ERA and 48 strikeouts in 33.2 innings.Jeff Passan JeffPassanKyle Freeland is a boss. The pitch after David Dahls egregious not-an-error-but-totally-was-an-error in right field, Freeland induces a double-play groundball from Anthony Rizzo to escape a jam. Hes at just 71 pitches through six shutout innings. Rockies still lead, 1-0.Jerry Crasnick jcrasnickHow impressive is Kyle Freeland? Kid has no pulse.Joel Sherman Joelsherman1Jon Lester was terrific as usual in October. But he is a familiar face. It is good for baseball that the past 2 days those who do not pay deep attention during the season have gotten introduced to Walker Buehler and Kyle Freeland. #Dodgers #Rockies #TheFutureThe Brewers have plenty of potent bats, but Marquez and Freeland are talented enough to take over the short series and send the NL Central champions home quickly.Colorado knows it has to get to Milwaukee's starters early before the bullpen, while the Brewers have to battle the Rockies' one-two punch and force the bullpen to throw plenty of innings.Game on.What's Next?The Rockies turn their attention toward a National League Division Series showdown with the Brewers. The best-of-five series starts Thursday in Milwaukee.