The Cubs have recently torn through the AL East as if it’s the flimsy paper separating fries from an Italian beef. Much to the embarrassment of Yankee fans who believed their Friday night drubbing of the Cubs was an omen, the Cubs rebounded on national TV to win the series heading into the All-Star break. Coming out of the break, they’ve completely smacked the Red Sox in the face-those same guys with an 8-game winning streak heading into Wrigley.

At 59-39, the Cubs have an even better record than Detroit (59-40). However, bettering the Dodgers is more important as far as the postseason and pride goes. The defending Champs sit at 58-41 and have been playing crappy baseball recently (Sorry Esther).

While the national media is praying the Dodgers get healthy and return to form, there’s an aspect to the race for the best record in the NL that nobody is talking about. The Cubs biggest rival, the Brewers have the second-best record in the NL because they have taken 5 of 5 games from the Dodgers. They swept them at American Family before the ASG and have taken the first two games at Chavez Ravine this weekend. Milwaukee is currently riding a 10-game winning streak and is the only team with two 8+ game winning streaks this season.

Every Cub fans is aware that the Brewers are only one game behind the Cubs, but nobody has articulated the second-best record thing and that the Cubs are leaving the Dodgers behind specifically because the Brewers have their number.

Fans are often conflicted when their rivals square off, and some fans would never root for their inner city rival to win-even if it’s against a division rival. Famously, I attended a game last May in STL between the (dreaded) White Sox and the loathed Cardinals. What a dilemma! Years after graduating from college, I was in a sports bar watching Syracuse play Georgetown in hoops, it was like sitting through an afternoon bio class.

Luckily, the Cubs and Brewers have 8 games remaining, all the better to settle things. Both teams have plenty of games against the other teams in the NL Central to screw this rooting for thine enemy to beat your greater enemy. Things will take care of themselves if the Cubs keep winning.