Cubs battling more than Brewers during tiring stretch run

CHICAGO -- They can blame the weather, an awful late-season schedule and myriad other non-baseball related factors, but if the Chicago Cubs want to return to the playoffs for a fourth consecutive year, they'll have to rise above it all and hold off a hard-charging Milwaukee Brewers team. "This is a battle for sure," first baseman Anthony Rizzo said Tuesday before the Cubs' 3-0 win over the Brewers. "We have 19 games to right the ship. The biggest one is today." Tuesday's victory kept Milwaukee at bay -- and in second place -- with just 18 games remaining. The teams square off for the rubber game of their series -- and the season finale between them -- on Wednesday. The series has been filled with drama and close games, including Monday's 3-2 Brewers win that drew them within a game in the standings. But Milwaukee can't leave town in first place, as Cubs manager Joe Maddon is performing some of his mental tricks on...

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