CHICAGO -- If the Chicago Cubs expect to secure another National League Central title, they are going to have to earn it.
Scoreboard-watching and hoping for the best is no longer sufficient as the season moves into the home stretch, with the St. Louis Cardinals arriving for a head-to-head weekend series that may go a long way toward determining the division winner.
The Cardinals (77-69) and Milwaukee Brewers (77-69) are tied for second, just three games behind the Cubs (80-66).
"We've got to take care of ourselves," Cubs left-hander Jon Lester said.