What rhymes with Cub?   Drub.  That’s exactly what the Brewers did to the Cubs yesterday – a 15-2 drubbing.  The Cubs had not lost a series since the All-Star break, and needed to continue this streak to maintain their once growing edge in the Central.  Instead, the Cubs went sixteen straight innings before scoring against Brew Crew pitching, and can only salvage a game today to keep from being swept.  Both the Cardinals and the Brewers are now within three games, a lead that was five just two days ago.  Friday Night lights did not work out for the Cubbies who suffered a 2-0 loss, followed by Saturday embarrassment.   The defending World Series champions have not shown the killer instinct necessary to put the Brewers away, and they have four more games later this month in Milwaukee.

The Cubs finish up with the Brewers today and then host the Mets and the Cardinals.  The Cardinals are easily within striking range, and so far the “Friendly Confines” haven’t been friendly to the home team.  Twenty games remain in the regular season, with half of those on the road, including four at Busch Stadium.  Hopefully, the Cubs won’t get trampled by the Clydesdales, mugged by the Mets, and routed by the Rays or Reds, as we head into the home stretch.  It’s time for a streak of “W’s” to secure a shot at the playoffs.

The Indians, who nearly stole the crown from the Cubs last year, have won 17 straight going into today, assuring their return to the post season.  The White Sox are a whopping 30.5 games behind them in the standings despite a victory yesterday over the Giants who are a league-leading 37 games out .  Houston has all but wrapped up the A.L. West, while the Nats seem to have secured the N.L. East.  The Dodgers, who were once world beaters, have now lost 9 in a row, including eight straight at Chavez Ravine for the first time in 30 years, but still maintain command of the N.L. West.  The Red Sox currently have a 4.5 game lead over the Yankees in the A.L. East, the only other division other than N.L. Central to not have a runaway leader.

Fatigue is a factor at this point of the year, so the Cubs will need to find a second wind.  The Yankees, Twins, D-Backs, and Rockies have the edge in the Wild Card standings.  The Brewers, Cardinals, and Cubs might have a role in that wild scramble, depending on who wins the Division.  Chances are good that they will beat each other up, and only one team from the Central will make the playoff field.  The Brewers have lost starter Jimmy Nelson for the season, with a rotator injury during his Friday Night lights gem at Wrigley.  Jake Arrieta remains day-to-day for the Cubs with a hamstring strain.  Maybe the rest will be good for him.

So much for baseball, as football season starts to take shape.  I knew that Ohio State was probably not worthy of a vaulted position in the standings after their performance against my Indiana Hoosiers.  The Hoosiers are improved from years past, as evidenced by their domination of Virginia yesterday, and showed that they could hold their own against the Buckeyes. However, the Ohio State loss to Oklahoma coupled with the mediocre performance against the Hoosiers should push them out of the Top 10 and threaten their chances for a playoff slot. Indiana, on the other hand, has an opportunity to win 6 games and claim a bowl bid thanks to games against Illinois, Rutgers, and Purdue to end the season.

The N.F.L. season is officially underway, after the huge victory by the Chiefs over the Patriots.  Apparently the Pats are suffering from the same hangover as the Cubs.  I’m currently watching the battle of the Hurricane victims, as Jacksonville and Houston square off.  J.J. Watt who championed the Texan’s city relief fund has apparently dislocated a finger, and the Jags have taken the half-time lead.  They will undoubtedly not return to Jacksonville tonight, as storms will ravage that city this evening.  Both of these cities will need a victory to help ease their painful losses.   Houston has been forgotten these last few days, as the media focus has shifted to Florida.

A drubbing is defined as a resounding defeat in a match of contest.  Synonyms like beating, thrashing, pounding, walloping, thumping, battering. pummeling, slapping, punching, and pelting will also describe the approaching storm.  Hopefully, the Cubs can turn the tide today against the surging Brewers.  Maybe the Pirates can salvage a game against the Cardinals and help the Cubs cause?  Three games is too close for comfort, especially considering there was the potential for an 8-game lead before the Friday Night lights set-back.  How about a drubbing the other way around today?