The Cubs are set up to do what has been inevitable since their 25-6 start: win the NL Central. Wednesday’s win over the Cardinals means that a win over the Brewers Thursday or a Cardinals loss in San Francisco will give the Cubs their first division crown since 2008. Based on the betting lines, they have about a six-in-seven chance to lock the title up Thursday, so get your party hats ready.
Whatever the day, the Cubs are going to clinch, and likely as not, go on to win 100 games. As the best team in baseball during the regular season, they will be the favorites to win the World Series, just as they were in April, just as they were as far back as December, with odds as short as we’ve seen for any postseason team since the Yankees’ dynasty.