Cards close to elimination after loss to Cubs
(MLB.com St. Louis Cardinals)

If that was indeed the final moment, the final pitch of Adam Wainwright`s career as a Cardinal, it was summed up with symmetry. A right-hander who boasted one of the best curveballs of his generation, and threw one of the biggest in franchise history, ended his five-inning start at Wrigley Field with one more. Fittingly, Javier Baez swung and missed. But Friday afternoon offered no other crisp endings for the Cardinals, who hit a snag in their attempt to recover from a series sweep by the Brewers. With a sloppy series opener at Wrigley Field leading to an 8-4 defeat, the Cards` postseason chances continued to dwindle.