Now it gets interesting: Cubs still alive to host WC playoff
MILWAUKEE - For Cubs manager Joe Maddon, it's all about the fans.
Chicago fans will have plenty invested in their Sunday after the Cubs beat the Milwaukee Brewers 1-0 Saturday night at Miller Park.
With the victory, the Cubs pulled within 1 game of the Pittsburgh Pirates for the top wild-card spot in the National League as the Pirates fell 3-1 to the Reds.
If the Cubs beat the Brewers Sunday and the Pirates fall again to the Reds, the two teams will finish with records of 97-65. Because the Cubs won the season series from the Pirates, next Wednesday's one-game wild-card playoff would be at Wrigley Field and not PNC Park, where it has looked to be headed for some time.
"We waited in here to celebrate after that game was concluded," Maddon said after his club won despite leaving 12 runners on base. "It's pretty interesting, isn't it? I'm really proud of our guys. We left way too many guys on base. Opportunities all night long. But we pitched well enough to win."
Maddon has downplayed the importance of homefield advantage in a one-game scenario, where a break can turn the game any which way.
"I still believe that," he said. "For me, it's all about the fans. To be able to do this is all about our fans. That's it, No. 1."
The victory was the Cubs' seventh in a row, and they did it behind pitcher Kyle Hendricks, who tossed 6 innings of 1-hit ball as he struck out eight and didn't walk a batter.
In his first full major-league season, Hendricks finished 8-7 with an ERA of 3.95. The quality start was his third in a row.
Hendricks was perfect until Martin Maldonado singled with one out in the sixth.
"I was thinking about it," he said of a possible no-hitter or perfect game. "That's for sure. After awhile, you can't help it, but at the end of the day, all I'm trying to do is make good pitches."
If the Cubs get past the Pirates, Hendricks may or may not be part of the playoff rotation even though Maddon said Saturday was his best performance of the season.
"We got so many arms on this team that are quality, guys that can really throw the ball and get outs in big situations," Hendricks said. "All I was trying to do for myself was make good pitches coming down the stretch and get some outs, basically for myself. I was able to do that. Now, whatever happens from here, I'm fine with. I've just got to keep with my throwing program. If I get called on to get an out or whatever it may be, I got to be ready."
The Cubs got the game's only run in the second inning. Chris Coghlan tripled with one out and came home on a single by Addison Russell.
Just a few days ago, the Cubs looked to have no shot at hosting the wild-card game. As recently as Sept. 26, they trailed the Pirates by 5½ games.
"That's why you keep playing," Maddon said. "I'm telling you, man, you stay focused on the day, and you take care of your own business. If you do that, you get to tomorrow with the opportunity to do something really cool. We've been playing it straight up. We've been using a lot of different guys. Everybody's fresh."
Like his manager, Hendricks said it would be fun to play the wild-card game at home.
"It would be huge," Hendricks said. "It would be big for the fans, No. 1. For us, we're confident no matter where we play. But obviously the home atmosphere there has been unbelievable all year. It will help us out that much more."