Let's clinch this thing, shall we? Atlanta heads to Chicago for a three-game set with a magic number of two to clinch the National League East title.
The Cubs enter having lost seven of their last ten, and sport a record of 64-89 on the season. They are in last place in the National League Central, 25 games behind the division leading St. Louis Cardinals. While they are last in the Central, Chicago's run differential would be the third best in the N.L. East.
Offense:
Chicago hits for power, but not much else at all.
As a team, the Cubs are 14th in the National League in batting average (.237), 14th in on-base average (.301), seventh in slugging (.394), 12th in wOBA (.305), 14th in wRC+ (87), 11th in walk rate (7.4%), sixth in strikeout rate (20.1%), first in Isolated power (.157), second in homers (167) and 12th in stolen bases (61).
Catcher Welington Castillo has been Chicago's best player this year with a fWAR of 3.2. He's been excellent behind the dish, and has hit ..271/.347/.395 with a .328 wOBA and 104 wRC+. Luis Valbuena has been slightly below average with the bat (.219/.333/.381, .318 wOBA, 96 wRC+), but has been very good defensively.
Nate Schierholtz has finally success as a full-time player, hitting .252/.305/.479 with 21 homers, while first baseman Anthony Rizzo checks in at .229/.323/.416 with 22 homers. Brian Bogusevic has crushed right-handed pitching to the tune of .280/.345/.514 in 119 plate appearances, while Junior Lake has smashed left-handed pitching at a .393/.404/.554 rate in 57 PA's.
Pitching matchups:
Friday September 20th, 2:20 PM ET. Fox Sports South.
Saturday September 21st, 4:05 PM ET. Fox Sports South.
Sunday September 22nd, 2:20 PM ET. Fox Sports South.
Wrigley Field