Cardinals manager Mike Matheny tips his cap to the fans as players return to the field to salute the fans. UPI/Bill Greenblatt
The Cardinals beat the Chicago Cubs 4-0 on the final day of the season to grab the best record in the National League. With the top seed, the Central League champions will host the wild-card winner in Game 1 of an NL division series on Thursday.
Joe Kelly (10-5) pitched 5.1 innings in relief of Jake Westbrook as the Cardinals matched a season high winning streak to finish 97-65. St. Louis also won six straight from April 30-May 5. The Cardinals have won eight of nine and 17 of 22.
Matt Carpenter finished with a league-leading 199 hits. He struck out in the seventh in his last opportunity, denying a bid for 200 hits.
The Cardinals will open up their playoff series on Thursday hosting the winner of the Cincinnati at Pittsburgh, one-game Wild Card play-in.