The Chicago Cubs lost two straight games to the Milwaukee Brewers earlier this week, but on Thursday they were cheering for their division rival as they took on the St. Louis Cardinals.
The Brewers did end up doing the Cubs a significant favor, beating the Cardinals 12-5 in the series-opening game at Busch Stadium. Thanks to the result, the Cubs' magic number for clinching the National League Central drops to 8.
The Cubs were off on Thursday, but they'll be back in action on Friday as they take on the Houston Astros in the first game of a three-game series at Minute Maid Park.
The Cubs also were able to gain ground in the race for home-field advantage in the National League as the Washington Nationals were defeated by the Philadelphia Phillies 4-1 in the nation's captial. Peter Bourjos and Ryan Howard both slugged home runs for the Phillies, and Alec Asher pitched six innings to earn the win.
With the Nationals' loss, the Cubs' magic number to clinch home field advantage throughout the National League playoffs drops to 16.
