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: 28

After failing to gain any ground in the division on Friday night thanks to their loss to the Colorado Rockies, the Cubs brought the big bats to Coors Field on Saturday, shellacking the Rockies 9-2 in support of a strong start by Mike Montgomery.

Miguel Montero had three RBI in the game, and Kris Bryant and Ben Zobrist each hit home runs for the Cubs as they continued their stellar play of late. Montgomery and Trevor Cahill combined to allow just two runs over nine innings of work as they filled in for the injured John Lackey in the game.

Fortunately for the Cubs, both of the teams chasing them in the National League Central race lost on Saturday night. The St. Louis Cardinals, one night after coming from behind to beat the Philadelphia Phillies, lost 4-2 in the City of Brotherly Love on Saturday, and the Pittsburgh Pirates also lost, falling 3-1 to the Miami Marlins.

The losses leave the Cubs with a 13-game lead in the Central.

Magic Number to Clinch Home Field: 36

The Cubs have been waiting patiently for some help from the Atlanta Braves, but it has not been forthcoming as the Washington Nationals won 11-9 on Saturday night and only allowed the Cubs to trim a single digit off of their magic number in the race for home-field advantage in the National League.

What’s Next:

The Cubs will finish off their series with the Rockies on Sunday afternoon in Denver before preparing to fly to San Diego for a three-game set against the Padres at Petco Park. The Cubs will send red-hot hurler Jason Hammel to the mound for the series finale, which starts at 3:10pm Central time.

The Cardinals will be looking for a win as they wrap up their road trip against the Phillies on Sunday, with Mike Leake toeing the rubber for the Redbirds. They’ll then have a day off Monday before beginning a series against the New York Mets on Tuesday night at Busch Stadium.

The Pirates will also be looking for a series win on Sunday as they finish off their series with the Marlins. Ryan Vogelsong will pitch for Pittsburgh as they look to gain a game on the Marlins in the wild card race. On Monday, the Pirates will welcome the Houston Astros to PNC Park for a three-game interleague showdown.

Finally, the Nationals will look for a four-game sweep of the Braves at Turner Field on Sunday, with Gio Gonzalez on the hill. A four-game, two-city series with the Baltimore Orioles is on deck for the Nationals, who have won three straight and six of their last eight games overall.