CHICAGO (670 The Score) -- The Cubs will play their first tiebreaker game for a division title in franchise history Monday after defeating the Cardinals on Sunday and finishing the 162-game slate tied with the Brewers.
Two four-run outbursts by the Cubs, in the third and fifth innings, propelled them to a 10-5 win against the Cardinals at Wrigley Field. First baseman Anthony Rizzo was a catalyst in both rallies, as he went 4-for-4 with three runs and drove in his 100th run of the season.
"We knew what was at stake," Rizzo said. "We knew we needed a win today by all means, and tomorrow is the same thing. We have to be ready to play. I think we will be. The atmosphere here should be nothing short of electric."
The Cubs will host the Brewers on Monday at 12:05 p.m. to decide the National League Central champion. Chicago has home-field advantage due to its taking of the season series 11-8. Left-hander Jose Quintana will pitch the intense contest that could alter the Cubs' playoff trajectory, as the loser will have to play the Dodgers or Rockies in the win-or-go-home NL wild-card game Tuesday night. The winner will host Game 1 of the NL Division Series on Thursday.
The Cubs played the Giants in a tiebreaker game for a wild-card entry back in 1998, when there was only one wild card as opposed to two. The Cubs won that game before being defeated in the NLDS.
"It's going to be a different animal tomorrow," manager Joe Maddon said of Game 163. "We talk about being more alert than normal. That's all I want from the players. Just play your game and grind those at-bats out. Catch the ball on defense. We need a good start out of Q. That is really important for us to be successful tomorrow. That will be a big part of it."
Willson Contreras hit his first homer since Aug. 1 as part of the Cubs' four-run fifth inning that gave them an 8-2 lead. The Cubs used nine pitchers on the day as left-hander Mike Montgomery lasted just 2 1/3 innings after the Cubs fell behind 2-0 in the first.
"We have had a long season, and we get to know each other enough to know what they like to do and what they can do," Contreras said of the pitchers. "Today, we had nine different pitchers come into a game and do a great job."
Maddon
"We are in good shape," Maddon said. "We have more weapons for them tomorrow. They have (Josh) Hader ready in their back pocket too. We have played each other often. The big thing is to get up early and hold on to a lead. That is the big thing. You (a manager) think about today's game, tomorrow's game and potentially Tuesday's game in the same breath. It is really an awkward moment."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
