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Cubs blast Cardinals in Game 3 of NLDS

Maybe Mattingly realized that, even though the Dodgers would end up scoring more than six runs on the night, the game was already out of hand. If they win, they will face the victor of the Los Angeles Dodgers-New York Mets series for the National League pennant.

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Summer abruptly left Wrigley Field after Monday night’s historic Game 3, with a cold front moving in shortly after the game ended.

Javier Baez, Kyle Schwarber and Anthony Rizzo smacked home runs to power the hard-hitting Cubs, who took the best-of-five matchup from the Cardinals three games to one.

Schwarber then began the seventh with his third homer of the playoffs, and the Cubs were well on their way to clinching a postseason series at Wrigley for the first time.

As the music blared and the strobe lights flashed in the clubhouse, Cubs players and coaches soaked each other.

The Mets’ last postseason series, back in 2006, went to a winner-take-all game, too.

In Game 4 of the 2013 NLDS against the Braves he allowed two runs – unearned – in six innings. “I’ve said that all along, two unbelievable clubs we just beat, the Pirates, who have an unbelievable organization and the same with the Cardinals”.

In my review before the Postseason I pointed out that Soler should not miss any opportunity in the series and the Cuban has proved a huge stone in the road for St. Louis pitchers, unable thus far to get him out. The Cubs won that game by a run. Facing elimination in-game 4, the Cardinals fans in Chicago and at Ballpark Village are glued to the game hoping for a Cardinal victory.

“This obviously right now is very rewarding, but we have a couple more series and hopefully we can celebrate like this two more times”, Chicago third baseman Kris Bryant said. Trevor Cahill picked up the win and Rondon worked the ninth for the save. He went 5.2 innings and had nine strikeouts while allowing four runs and five hits.

“I felt good right out of the gate”, said Matz, who had been slowed at the end of the regular season by back spasms.

Cruz’s clutch double got St. Louis within one in the sixth, but he was cut down at home by outfielder Jorge Soler when he tried to score on Brandon Moss’ tying RBI single. He improved to 18-1 in his last 22 starts between the regular season and postseason, but he endured his shortest outing since July.

“I will be shocked if they’re not in the World Series or winning it”, Piscotty said. But they’ll likely have to do it without Addison Russell, who is not in the lineup.

A major concern for the Cardinals is the status of catcher Yadier Molina, who left Monday’s game after aggravating his thumb injury.

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“I haven’t gotten any finalized conclusions from anybody yet”, manager Joe Maddon said. The players seem to feel this rivalry nearly as much as we do as fans; the teams have played tough, close, competitive games all year.

Oct 9 2015 St. Louis MO USA St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher John Lackey delivers a pitch during the first inning in game one of the NLDS against the Chicago Cubs at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports