ST. LOUIS -- Jon Lester gave the Chicago Cubs a much-needed boost.Anthony Rizzo hit a pair of home runs and Lester pitched eight dominant innings as the Cubs beat the St. Louis Cardinals 7-0 on Wednesday to clinch a playoff berth.The Cubs improved their major league-best record to 93-52, and their magic number is one to clinch their first NL Central title since 2008. They can wrap up the division crown Thursday night with a win at home over Milwaukee or a St. Louis loss in San Francisco.Chicago secured at least a wild card because the four-game series between the Cardinals and Giants makes it impossible for both to catch the Cubs in the standings.Ill tell you, if you were in that dugout at the beginning of the game, the guys were dead on their feet, Chicago manager Joe Maddon said. To play the kind of game we did today -- really hot, last game of a long road trip -- I give them a ton of credit. (Lester) really played into all that.The Cardinals remained a half-game behind the New York Mets and one game behind the Giants for the two NL wild cards.Lester (17-4) allowed four baserunners, none of which got past first. Cubs catcher David Ross threw out two Cardinals trying to steal second and Lester faced just two batters over the minimum.Cardinals outfielder Brandon Moss called Lester one of the best in the game.Today was one of those days were he had both working and he wasnt missing over the middle and he was even throwing some curveballs and change-ups to keep you off of everything, Moss said.Lester improved to 7-0 with a 1.02 ERA in his last nine starts. He also helped his cause at the plate with an RBI single in the third.Im just trying to give a good at-bat, Lester said. He elevated a changeup for me and I got it far enough out there to give us a run.Rizzos two-run homer in the ninth gave him 31 homers and 101 RBI on the season. He is the second Cubs left-handed hitter in franchise history to post multiple 30 home run and 100 RBI seasons (Billy Williams did it in 1965, 1970 and 1972).Billy Williams, his numbers speak for himself and hes done it so many years, so its a really good feeling, Rizzo said.Ross two-run homer in the fifth snapped a 0-for-8 streak and it was his first home run since Aug. 17.St. Louis starter Carlos Martinez (14-8) gave up four runs and eight hits in six innings.Martinez started off strong, striking out the side in the first and four of the first six batters he faced. Five of his nine strikeouts came on called third strikes. He entered the game having allowed just 12 homers this season and his home run per nine innings average of 0.63 was second in the National League to the Mets Noah Syndergaard (0.52).Ross home run was just third by a right-handed batter against Martinez, who had his four winning decisions streak snapped.The loss dropped the Cardinals home record to 33-41, assuring St. Louis of its first losing record at home since 1999 when it played in Busch Stadium II.While clinching at least a wild card spot is nice, the Cubs look forward to wrapping up the division at home this weekend, preferably tomorrow.Lets do it, Maddon said. The sooner, the better. Then we can make our appropriate plans going forward and really set things up to make our best push.TRAINERS ROOMCardinals: RHP Michael Wacha (right shoulder inflammation) was activated from the disabled list and will pitch out of the bullpen ... OF Matt Holliday (fractured right thumb) is expected to take live batting practice later this week. . RHP Trevor Rosenthal (right shoulder inflammation) could be activated from the DL tomorrow.UP NEXTCubs: LHP Mike Montgomery (1-1, 3.67 ERA) will kick off a four-game series as Chicago hosts Milwaukee on Thursday. The Brewers counter with RHP Jimmy Nelson (14-7, 4.42 ERA)Cardinals: RHP Adam Wainwright (11-8, 4.45) will look to build on a one run, eight inning performance in his last start as St. Louis travels to San Francisco for a four-game series Thursday. RHP Johnny Cueto (15-5, 2.90) will start for the Giants. Womens Jaguars Jerseys . Perez, 35, posted a 1-2 record with a 3.69 earned-run average in 19 relief appearances last season. His season ended Aug. 9 due to a torn ligament in his left elbow. Perez joins infielder Andy LaRoche and catcher Mike Nickeas with minor-league agreements for 2014 that include invitations to attend spring training. Tanner Lee Jersey . At a news conference Tuesday where it was thought that the fiery Schallibaum may be shown the door after a dismal finish to the Major League Soccer season, team president Joey Saputo said no decision has been made on whether the Swiss Volcano will be back in 2014. http://www.cheapjaguarsjerseys.net/ . You can watch the game live on TSN at 7:30pm et/4:30pm pt. The Flyers had won seven of eight before dropping their last two outings on consecutive days over the weekend. Philadelphia was handed a 6-3 loss by the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday afternoon before dropping a 4-1 decision to the Rangers the following night in New York City. DJ Chark Jersey . Datsyuk will miss Tuesdays game against New Jersey and could be sidelined longer, while Cleary will likely miss at least the next three games. Its been an injury-plagued season for Datsyuk, who has suited up for just 39 games. Cheap Jaguars Jerseys . The Swede became the first golfer to win the PGA Tours FedEx Cup and European Tours Race to Dubai in the same season. "It is still taking a little time to sink in what Ive achieved this week as was the case when I won the FedEx Cup but then it just kept getting better and better as the days went on and I am sure this will be the same," he said. Godolphin Stables Frosted made history in his last start, and those fortunate enough to watch him rumble are anticipating his return in the Aug. 6 Whitney Stakes at Saratoga Race Course. The Whitney is a Breeders Cup Challenge Win and Youre In race for the Nov. 5 Breeders Cup Classic at Santa Anita Park.Frosted, brilliant winner of the June 11 Mohegan Sun Metropolitan Handicap, drew post 4 in a field of six and was installed as the 3-5 morning-line favorite for the $1.25 million Whitney. He was last seen demolishing nine rivals by 14 1/4 lengths in the Met Mile, the largest margin of victory in 123 editions. He did it in stakes-record time -- 1:32.73. Regular rider Joel Rosario has the return call.The 4-year-old son of Tapit geared up for the Whitney with a four-furlong breeze July 29 in :49.60 at the private Greentree Training Center behind Saratoga for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. Last year at Saratoga, Frosted came off a runner-up finish to Triple Crown winner American Pharoah in the Belmont Stakes to run second in the Jim Dandy Stakes and third in the Travers Stakes before winning the Pennsylvania Derby.Tri-Bone Stables New York-bred Effinex, who won his second edition of the Suburban Handicap in his last start July 9, is the 7-2 second choice from the outside wiith Mike Smith aboard.dddddddddddd The 5-year-old son of Mineshaft waited last season to run later in the meet for trainer Jimmy Jerkens, and was fourth in the Woodward in early September before going on to win the Clark Handicap at the end of the year.Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners is represented by 4-year-old Comfort, who returned from a freshening to win the July 4 State Dinner Stakes going 1-1/16 miles at Belmont Park for trainer Todd Pletcher. The Indian Charlie colt is 8-1 on the morning line from post 2 under John Velazquez. He has not lost his past three starts, dating back to last November and a Gulfstream Park West allowance score, and takes his first step into Grade 1 waters.Rounding out the field are Grade 2 winner Upstart, third in the Met Mile (post 3, 10-1); Grade 1 winner Noble Bird, who looks to rebound from a sixth in the Met Mile and who last year was given time after finishing ninth in this race (post 5, 10-1); and Grade 2 winner El Kabeir, fourth in the June 18 Stephen Foster Handicap in his most recent start and seeking his first victory of 2016 (post 1, 20-1).For more stories like this check out Americas Best Racing. China NFL Jerseys Stitched Jerseys Jerseys From China Cheap Jerseys China Jerseys NFL China Jerseys NFL Cheap Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic ' ' '