CHICAGO (670 The Score) -- Baseball isn't a fair game by any means, which is part of its beauty and the magic of October. The Cubs finished their 162-game slate tied for the best record in the National League, but their season is now on the brink with one game Tuesday night.
This is the Cubs' fate after dropping the National League Central tiebreaker game 3-1 to the new division champion Brewers on Monday afternoon at Wrigley Field. So close to the crown they coveted after having had a five-game lead as recently as the morning of Sept. 3, the Cubs will now encounter an uphill climb in the playoffs, starting Tuesday night at Wrigley Field in the win-or-go-home NL wild-card game against Rockies.
All the Cubs can do is embrace the opportunity still in front of them.
"We got to lick our wounds, come back tomorrow and we'll get another shot," manager Joe Maddon said.
The Cubs finished with 95 wins and have advance to the playoffs for a franchise-record fourth straight season. This has been the golden age for the franchise, but this set of circumstances is different. The Brewers used Game 163 on the road to showcase why they're the better team right now, which seemed clear as they rode the Cubs' heels down the stretch run.
Milwaukee right-hander Jhoulys Chacin surrendered just one hit -- a solo homer by Anthony Rizzo -- over 5 2/3 innings, and the Cubs added only two more against the Brewers' deep bullpen. Milwaukee outfielder Christian Yelich had three hits and an RBI to bolster his case for NL MVP, while shortstop Orlando Arcia, who entered the day hitting .227, had a career-best four hits.
All the Cubs accomplished in the 162 games before this one was pushed to the brink because of a bad day at the ballpark.
"Hopefully we score more runs," second baseman Daniel Murphy said. "That would be a nice start. I'd like to get more hits."
The Cubs will start their ace in left-hander Jon Lester and use left-hander Cole Hamels out of the bullpen, with Maddon managing a nearly full complement of relievers that could also include Pedro Strop, who's been sidelined for nearly three weeks with a hamstring injury. After losing 5-2 to the Dodgers in Los Angeles, the Rockies will also be traveling two time zones across the country to play in the wild-card game.
But the Cubs' advantages only extend so far. They may have to go all hands on deck Tuesday, which could further tax a worn-down bullpen. If Chicago wins, it won't have home-field advantage in the NL playoffs. Instead, it would open the NL Division Series at Milwaukee on Thursday.
But that isn't in any way on the Cubs' minds for now.
"I'm excited about tomorrow," Murphy said. "I mean, two-thirds of the league is home right now. So, you look at the situation you're in, and I'm excited. I wish we would've won today. But I'm going to go home, spend some time with my family, I'll sleep great, we'll come out tomorrow at 7:00 and hand Jonny Lester the ball, (and) I don't know if there's anybody better in the big leagues in a situation like this."
The key is to not look at this situation as a disadvantage, Hamels said.
"This is a tremendous team to be around," Hamels said. "Guys really know how to get the job done. We have a lot of playoff experience in this locker room. So, I think that's what we have to pull on, and just support each other, be there and live in the moment.
"There are not too many opportunities that we get to be in this. There are a lot of teams that are at home right now. I think they would love that one more opportunity to play a meaningful game."
Hamels looked back at his start this past Saturday, a 2-1 loss to the Cardinals, as a regret for the Cubs being in this situation. But he has also moved on. Hamels threw a light bullpen session Monday knowing he would have to be available Tuesday, and now Maddon is counting on him if needed.
Lester was long gone from the Cubs' clubhouse by the time many of his teammates had changed out of their uniforms Monday. He was already moving forward from this game and to his Tuesday night on the mound.
During his career, Lester has made 25 postseason appearances (21 starts), going 9-7 with a 2.55 ERA over 148 innings. He was brought to the Cubs to accelerate their window for playoff contention and has delivered for them in countless big moments before.
"It's a presence," third baseman Kris Bryant said. "It's a name behind the person. You know Jon Lester on the mound in the playoffs, he's going to bring his A-game. It's going to be tough for the other team. There's some comfort on our side in knowing that he's out there taking the hill tomorrow."
The scene was different three years ago in Pittsburgh when the Cubs traveled to PNC Park and faced the Pirates in the wild-card game. They had enjoyed a champagne celebration the weekend before and were a hungry team trending upward.
The Brewers are that team now, boarding their team bus to Milwaukee with fans lining Sheffield Avenue cheering them back north. The Cubs face a difficult route in October, now filled with more challenges.
It might not be fair, but maybe it's not supposed to be.
"It's a different path to get to where we want to be," Bryant said. "But hopefully we're the ones riding it."
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
