The Chicago Cubs are heading to the playoffs for the third consecutive year after beating the St. Louis Cardinals and clinching the National League Central title on Wednesday night. 

The Cubs will appear in the postseason for the third consecutive season, marking the first time since 1908 that they've made the playoffs in three straight years. 

Addison Russell smacked a three-run home run in a five-run seventh inning, and John Lackey pitched six innings and gave up one run as the Cubs captured their second straight division title. 

Thanks to the win, the Cubs will take on the Washington Nationals in the National League Division Series. The series will get underway next Friday at Nationals Park, with Game 3 scheduled for Wrigley Field on Oct. 9.