Welcome to Cubs Playoff Watch, your daily look at the Chicago Cubs as they continue to push toward their first division title since the 2008 season.

Cubs’ Magic Number: 11

The Cubs moved one step closer to a division championship on Sunday by virtue of a come-from-behind victory against the San Francisco Giants. John Lackey came back off the disabled list and made the start for the Cubs, throwing 76 pitches and giving up just one earned run in five innings of work.

The bullpen then combined to give up just three hits and no runs in eight innings, but the real star of the afternoon was Jason Heyward. The outfielder, who has struggled for most of the season at the plate, drove in all three Cubs runs on the afternoon, including the game-winner in the 13^th inning as the Cubs maintained their 16 and a half game lead in the Central.

The Cubs didn’t gain any ground on the St. Louis Cardinals Sunday, as they beat the Cincinnati Reds in a 5-2 victory at the Great American Ballpark. Carlos Martinez made the start for the Cardinals as he picked up his 13^th win of the season, and Randall Grichuk drilled his 21^st home run of the season to give the Cardinals the victory.

Magic Number to Clinch Home-Field Advantage: 18

Seth Lugo gave up one earned run, and Curtis Granderson and Jay Bruce both slugged home runs as the New York Mets beat the Washington Nationals 5-1 in a nationally-televised showdown at Citi Field.

With the loss, the Mets are now just one game behind the Cardinals for the second wild card spot in the National League, and they also enabled the Cubs to trim their magic number for home-field advantage by two on Sunday.

What’s Next:

Most MLB teams will play afternoon matinee games on Labor Day Monday, with the Cubs leading things off with a noon first pitch against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Kyle Hendricks will look to continue his fine pitching of late when he takes the mound, as he defends his August Pitcher of the Month honors that he received on Saturday.

The Cardinals meanwhile will begin a series with the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. The Pirates are currently three and a half games behind the Cardinals for the second wild card spot, and the Cards will surely be looking at the series as an opportunity to dash any playoff hopes that Pittsburgh still has.

As for the Nationals, they will kick off a series on Monday against the Atlanta Braves at Nationals Park. Ace pitcher Max Scherzer will take the hill for the team as they look to rebound after Sunday’s loss in Flushing Meadows.