Cards snap Cubs' streak

The Cubs' hopes of winning three consecutive division titles faded weeks ago, but their chances officially ended Saturday night.

The St. Louis Cardinals (90-65) clinched the NL Central title with a 6-3 win against the Colorado Rockies on Saturday night. The Cardinals, who fell short against the Cubs in the previous two seasons, earned their sixth division title since 2000 and their first since 2006.

Meanwhile, the Cubs (81-73) have won six out of seven games since they announced that outfielder Milton Bradley was suspended for the rest of the regular season. Sunday marks the final road game for the Cubs, who return to Wrigley Field for seven games to close out the year.

Regardless of whether the Cubs win at San Francisco on Sunday afternoon, this season will mark the first sub-.500 road record for the Cubs since 2006. They have gone 37-43 away from Wrigley Field this season after going 42-38 on the road in 2008 and 41-40 in 2007.

-Tom Musick