Magic number is 4

The Cubs continue to roll while panic mode has settled in in Milwaukee.

The Cubs beat CC Sabathia and the Brewers 5-4 last night, dropping the magic number to clinch to 4 games, and moving the Cubs 9 games ahead of the Brewers in the NL Central.

The game was the first for new Brewers manager Dale Sveum, who replaced Ned Yost. Seriously, how worried must the Brewers be if they fire their manager when the team is leading the wild-card playoff race? And now they don't even lead the wild card. Better them than us, that's for sure.

Closer-turned-starter Ryan Dempster won his career-high 16th game, following up another masterpiece by Ted Lilly, who one-hit the Astros on Monday after Carlos Zambrano no-hit the Astros on Sunday. I heart me some Ted Lilly and Ryan Dempster.

The game ended with a nasty bender of a slider by closer Kerry Wood (photo courtesy AP) to strike out Prince Fielder, who had already homered twice in the game.

A sweep of the Brewers and the Cubs can start planning for the postseason. The sooner the better I say. But if not the Brewers, the Cubs should be able to clinch at home this weekend against the Cardinals.

That would be just as sweet.

Also, Ron Santo, Joe Torre and and Luis Tiant are among 10 players on the latest Hall of Fame ballot for Veterans Committee voters.

It's time to vote Santo, my all-time favorite Cub, into the Hall of Fame. It's ridiculous that he's not in already. His stats are much better and more deserving than about half the players already in the Hall. He also played with diabetes, which nobody knew at the time. And he has since paid the price, having lost both of his legs.

Vote him in guys, while he has a chance and the time to enjoy it. Check out this video below.