CHICAGO -- The Chicago Cubs have already clinched a spot in the National League playoffs.
But as they begin their final regular-season series against the rival St. Louis Cardinals on Friday at Wrigley Field, the Cubs realize they need to be in the right mentality as they push for their third straight NL Central title.
After a 3-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday, the Cubs lowered their magic number to three to clinch the division title. More important, the win increased their lead over the idle second-place Milwaukee Brewers to one game in the Central.