The Cubs eliminated the Padres from the NL Wild Card Thursday night with a great all-around pitching effort. Chicago got just enough timely hitting against a very good San Diego staff and now advances to the National League Division Series to take on their neighbors to the north in Milwaukee starting Saturday.
The Brewers finished with the best record (97–65) in baseball and got a first round bye, so they are rested and ready to go. They had an incredible two-month surge in the middle of the season to blow by the North Siders and claim the NL Central title.