May 26--Winning three consecutive series at Busch Stadium and seizing the 2015 National League Division Series against the Cardinals would seem like a strong resume for declaring themselves as the team to beat in the NL Central.
But the Cubs aren't ruling out the Cardinals despite their recent dominance that includes a 4-2 record at Busch Stadium this season.
"I totally believe they will be there in the end," manager Joe Maddon said Wednesday after the Cubs (31-14) expanded their lead to eight games over the Cardinals (24-23). "They're very good.. They're a very good offensive club.
"They'll get their pitching straightened out. They have a good bullpen. They just play hard every second of the game. You never walk away from that. They have some good players at skill positions.
Maddon was very aware that the Cardinals have reinforcements coming. They include pitching prospect Alex Reyes, who recently completed a 50-game suspension under baseball's Drug Prevention and Treatment Program and likely will be promoted to the majors this summer.
Reyes struck out eight in four innings Sunday in his first game for Triple-A Memphis.
"They're going to get (Jhonny) Peralta back," Maddon said of Peralta, who is on a minor league rehabilitation assignment after injuring his thumb. "That's going to make a big difference for them. The problem is where they play (shortstop) Aledmys Diaz. They have nice problems on the horizon."
After allowing four runs in five innings and nearly seeing his winning streak end, Cubs ace Jake Arrieta refused to dismiss the Cardinals.
The NL Central "is' going to be close to the end," Arrieta said. "The Pirates and Cardinals will continue to win games in and out of our division. We have to do our job to try to separate that gap, and we have the ability to do so. We know they're been close on our heels to the very end."
The Cubs play host to the Cardinals on June 20-22.
