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Maddon pushing all the right buttons as Cubs keep winning

Joe Maddon is making all the right moves.

Maddon opted to sit embattled shortstop Starlin Castro Friday in favor of Chris Coghlan and Kyle Schwarber and the two lefties accounted for four runs as the Cubs beat the Giants 7-3 in front of 41,311 fans at Wrigley Field.

Following Friday's game, the Cubs (60-48) now have a 1.5-game lead on the Giants (59-50) in the battle for the second National League wild card.

Jon Lester worked around some jams on the mound, allowing just two runs in seven innings to pick up his seventh win of the year.