Brewers Beat Cubs 3-1 To Win NL Central Division

CHICAGO, IL -- Congratulations, Brewers fans, your team has won the National League Central division after defeating the Chicago Cubs 3 to 1 in a one-game playoff held Monday, Oct. 1.

Milwaukee's win means that the Cubs will play in the wild-card game Tuesday at Wrigley Field against either the Rockies or Dodgers - who are scheduled to play later Monday. If the Cubs win the wild-card game, they will be back to face the Brewers on Thursday in Milwaukee for the division series opener.

With Milwaukee up 3-1 late in the game, fireballing lefty Josh Hader recorded a six-out save to secure the victory and the team's first division title since the team went to the National League Championship Series in 2011.

Milwaukee opened the scoring in the top of the third inning after light-hitting shortstop Orlando Arcia, who put together an unlikely four-hit game, scored on a single by MVP candidate Christian Yelich to make the game 1-0 in favor of Milwaukee.

The Cubs tied the game in the bottom of the fifth after Anthony Rizzo connected with a Jhoulys Chacin pitch, sending it 429 feet for a solo home run to tie the game at 1-1.

The Brewers escaped a potential Cub rally in the bottom of the sixth after Ian Happ walked, Willson Contreras grounded into a double play, Daniel Murphy singled, and Ben Zobrist walked. Joakim Soria, facing MVP candidate Javy Baez, got Baez to strike out on a 3-2 pitch to end the inning.

The Brewers gained the lead and some breathing room in the top of the eighth after Arcia singled, pinch-hitter Domingo Santana Doubled and Lorenzo Cain singled home Arcia. After Yelich struck out swinging, Ryan Braun singled to center, scoring Santana. In a questionable call, Braun was thrown out by Contreras with one out and a runner on third as he tried to steal second base. Jesus Aguilar flew out to left field to end the inning.

Here's the final play:

And some late-game heroics:

CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 01: Orlando Arcia #3 of the Milwaukee Brewers turns a double play over Kris Bryant #17 of the Chicago Cubs in the 2nd inning during the National League Tiebreaker Game at Wrigley Field on October 1, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)