The Cubs reduced their magic number to secure a playoff spot to two with their 5-0 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. With six games to play, the magic number to clinch the NL Central is four.

Unfortunately, the Cubs got bad news as Kris Bryant’s 2020 season got even worse when he left the game with what manager David Ross called an oblique strain.

Already this season Bryant Bryant has missed 11 games with injuries to his left wrist and ring finger. His stat line for the season is even more painful: 195/.283/.301 with two home runs and five RBI in 31 games

Pitcher Jon Lester had a strong outing throwing six shutout innings.

Paul Sullivan at the ChicagoTribune.com noted that Lester’s last three starts have impressed: “he has allowed two earned runs in 17 innings, lowering his ERA from 5.80 to 4.40.”

But, Sullivan also notes that 37-year old heater has cooled off.

“Lester’s four-seam fastball, which averaged 92.7 mph in 2016, was down to 89.4 going into Monday’s start. In pitches 76-100, batters are hitting .323 against him..”

The Cubs could see some good news Tuesday night when Jose Quintana returns from the 10-day injured list since Sept. 2. This will be the lefty’s first start of the season. and he’ll likely be on a 50 to 60 pitch count.

The Pirates will throw their own lefty Steven Brault, who is coming off the best start of his career a complete-game two-hitter against the Cardinals.