The St. Louis Cardinals celebrate on the field, after winning the National League Central Division title, defeating the Chicago Cubs 7-0 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis on September 27, 2013. UPI/Bill Greenblatt
Starter Lance Lynn allowed just four hits while totaling nine strike outs in six innings. David Freese and Matt Holliday hit home runs and the Cardinals cruised to another Central Division title beating the Chicago Cubs 7-0, Friday night at Busch Stadium.
AUDIO Mike Matheny, Adam Wainwright and David Freese on winning the Central (1:30)
St. Louis, now 95-65, is tied with Atlanta for the best record in the NL. The Braves beat the Phillies 1-0. The Cardinals will have home-field advantage for at least the NL Division Series which starts Thursday. Adam Wainwright (18-9) was moved up to start Saturday, so the Cardinals’ ace will be set to open that first series against Cincinnati, Pittsburgh or the Los Angeles Dodgers.
This was the third time a team has clinched against the Cubs. The Braves wrapped up the NL East on Sunday at Wrigley Field, and the Pirates earned the wild card spot on Monday.
As far as the key stats for the game. Yadier Molina had two hits and three RBIs to reach 78. Jon Jay had two hits and an RBI, and leadoff batter Matt Carpenter had a single and is now just one hit shy of 200.
Saturday’s game has been bumped up to 3:15 with the forecast calling for storms later in the evening.
Watch the final out and celebration again courtesy of Fox Sports Midwest, KMOX and MLB.com