CHICAGO (670 The Score) -- Game 163 for the National Central Central crown between the Cubs and Brewers will feature the two leading National League MVP candidates in the spotlight.
Cubs infielder Javier Baez and Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich have been the best players in the NL this season, and at Wrigley Field on Monday, one of their teams will win the division crown. The losing team will host the NL wild-card game Tuesday night against the loser of the Rockies-Dodgers game, which is being contested to decide the NL West crown.
"The Brewers are playing their game," Baez said. "They have good talent. I think we have better. If we pay attention to what we do (well) and stay to our plan, then we don't have to worry about anybody. We know what we got. We will just go out there and play hard."
Baez hasn't paid attention to the external debate surrounding whether he or Yelich will win MVP. He's simply trying to stay in the moment as the Cubs look to hold off the hard-charging Brewers, who have won seven straight and went 19-7 in September to make up a five-game deficit in the NL Central.
"We have been struggling after the first half, but we are still here," Baez said. "We lost a lot of people from our bullpen and (Kris Bryant) most of the season. We have been playing hard. We have been playing good. It has just not been the same without some guys."
Unlike with most Game 163s, the losing team won't be eliminated as the wild-card game looms Tuesday. Still, neither team wants to deal with the inherent randomness of a win-or-go-home.
"If we do simple things and don't go out there and rush our game and not play their game, we have nothing to lose," Baez said. "We need to stick to our plan and play hard. We can't worry about the result."
Yelich could win the Triple Crown with a big day Monday, as Game 163 stats count toward the regular season. He will win the NL batting title as he sits at .323 entering play Monday. His 36 homers trail the Rockies' Nolan Arenado by one, and his 109 RBIs trail Baez by two.
"Of course we know about him," Baez said. "I don't pay attention to that stuff. He is a great hitter and athlete. We will see what happens at the end. I don't play with stats."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
