He lost his chance for the victory when the Cardinals tied the game in the sixth against Justin Grimm.
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Cardinals: C Yadier Molina remains in a concussion protocol and likely will not play for the remainder of the season.
Their clinching of a postseason berth in St. Louis was their first since 1938 when they earned the right to advance to the World Series.
Commenting on the incident, Chicago Tribune quoted Russell as saying, “Normally I don’t do that, but being the case of me being nacho’d all over, my cleats even, I was like, you know what, why not? It’s not a very good feeling”. Altuve, a leading contender for AL MVP, was hit by a 95 miles per hour fastball Monday and left the game. After diving into the stands chasing a foul ball down the third-base line and spilling a man’s tray of chips, Russell emerged from the dugout a few innings later with a plate of nachos and delivered it to the fan. “Came in, we’re getting ready for tomorrow”. The Cubs would end the inning up 5-1 and never looked back. “I think it will help us in the playoffs”.
Through six innings, it appeared as though claiming the division crown would have to wait one more day for the Cubs (or, at least until the Milwaukee game ended).
Since 2000, this is only the second instance the Cardinals have missed the postseason in back-to-back seasons.
After spending the beginning of his career with the Angels, Lackey joined the Red Sox, then the Cardinals, and is now in his second season with the Cubs.
Meanwhile the Cubs, who rested all of their regular starters for Thursday’s game, will get to head home to Wrigley Field for a final three game series against the Cincinnati Reds before their postseason begins against the Washington Nationals next week. They trailed the Brewers by 4.5 games at the All Star break, but they have the best record in the NL since said break and take some momentum into the playoffs.
The 21-year-old Cardinals fan hopes his experience provides some comic relief during a tense time in the country. The youth infusion that arguably should’ve been installed last offseason has now arrived, but it’s still not enough to overtake the Cubs.
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The Cubs are better than the Cardinals, and no amount of internal options is going to change that any time soon.
