Over the past 12 games the Cubs have played .666 baseball. Regardless of the opponent, 8-4 is pretty good. Some will point at the quality of competition and believe they should have done better.

For the moment that’s about to change as they host the Brewers for 3 and head to Cincy for four with the Reds. They have a chance to distance themselves from the Reds and draw closer to Milwaukee. The following games against the NL West are equally as important, but playing teams in your own division is always more important-if for no other reason than control of one’s own destiny.

The Brewers come into Wrigley as the hottest team in the NL with an 8-game winning streak. They’ve had a couple nice come from behind victories during the run. Yet, I suggest now is the perfect time for the Cubs to spoil things for their rivals up north.

In Chicago we’ve recently been discussing the White Sox-Cubs rivalry-one that rarely matters outside of Chicago. The rivalry between the Brewers and Cubs is more important to the baseball world because these games matter in the standings. Like the intercity rivalry, the battle of 94 is pretty even over the years, and more importantly, the team up north is no longer intimidated by their rivals to the south.

When both teams are playing well and competing for something other than pride, the energy level at Wrigley is always high. I expect no different these next three days.