Down the stretch they come

It's hard to be disappointed to see the Cubs split a home series against a team battling for a division title, but the Cubs have spoiled their fans of late. Here are some breakdowns that explain why:

The Cubs came into the Phillies series having won their last nine series, for the first time since 1907.

They're 24-1 since the All-Star break when scoring four or more runs.

Two losses made for their longest losing streak in five weeks.

They have a ten-game cushion over the Phillies for a playoff spot.

And the biggest divisional lead in the NL.

And, still, the most wins in baseball.

It might almost be a relief for the Cubs to head back on the road after the three-game set against the Astros that begins Monday. They went 8-1 on the road in a home-heavy August schedule to push their road record above .500, one of only four NL teams that can make that claim. With any luck, the Mets can push that number to five this week as they head into Milwaukee.

With 25 games to go, there are two last pertinent numbers. Magic numbers. For defending their Central Division title, 22, and for becoming the first Chicago baseball team to play in consecutive postseasons since 1908, 16.

It's not going to be a cakewalk, next weekend's series in Cincinnati could be their last against a sub-.500 team and they still have a dozen games remaining against the Brewers and Cardinals, but I'm starting to taste it.