Cubs' magic number...

Four.

The Brewers' spectacularly stupid move in firing their manager during the last week in the season, while their team was still in contention, may well have demoralized the team and sent them the message that management had given up on them. But it certainly hasn't had whatever effect the Milwaukee management were trying for. The Bruins gave C.C. Sabathia his first defeat since coming over from the American League last night.

Any combination of four Cub victories and four Brewer losses in the thirteen remaining games clinches the Cubs' second consecutive National League Central championship.

They can clinch as early as tomorrow night. If they beat the Brewers again tonight, the number goes down to two- and sweeping the series Thursday night be all she wrote.