CARDINALS AT CUBS | FRIDAY'S SERIES OPENER

CHICAGO — As they prepare to face the San Diego Padres in the first round of the postseason and still trying to assure they host that best-of-three series, the Cubs put on a show of force Friday with the Cardinals there to wince.

A relatively close game when both starting pitchers were in charge mushroomed into an absolute mess for the Cardinals and a 12-1 romp for the hosts at Wrigley Field.

The loss assured the Cardinals (78-82) of a losing record, their second in the past three seasons and only their third of the 2000s.

The Cubs thundered away against two Cardinals relievers for seven runs in the seventh inning and galloped with the game. They must win one more of the remaining two in the series to secure home-field advantage for the wild-

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