Yu Who? Cards sweep Cubs in Wrigley, clinch playoff spot

Yea, Yu Darvish was great through 8, with 12Ks and all. But because Craig Kimbrel has been a tire fire, Joe Maddon had little choice but to let Darvish pitch the ninth?

Result? Two Cardinals runs in the inning and the Birds are back in the playoffs for the first time in four years, clinching at least a wild card.

AND AND AND

It was the first four-game sweep in Wrigley since 1921, per Derrick Goold's wrap-up.

Jose Martinez's big lead-off triple keyed things.  Tyler O'Neill's pinch running speed made sure that Dexter Fowler's sacrifice would tie the game.

Tommy Edman then singled, then stole. And Paul Goldschmidt, first-year struggles and all, paid off on his new contract by doubling to send Edman home.

Andrew Miller then showed that he still, at least selectively, "has it" with a four-batter save.

Looking ahead? As I said 2 weeks ago, I'm still not confident how well this team matches up against the Braves, mainly because they augmented their rotation midseason with the Dallas Keuchel signing. But let's cross that bridge when it gets here.

That's assuming, of course, the Cardinals win the division and aren't just a wild card. Magic number is down to 4.

As for the Cubs? With Kris Bryant the latest injury news, it's likely no postseason at all.

Maddon's fault? Theo Epstein's? Injuries?

GMs always boot managers to save their own skin, so the man who won free drinks for life on Waveland Avenue three years ago may be gone.

Of related note? Yeah, Dex sucked last year. But, in 2017 and this year, he's played even to Cards-rejector Jason Heyward and at 2/3 the cost. (Look up their respective WARs.) Plus, he just has two years left on his contract and Jay Hay Kid has four.