The Cubs took care of business. Now comes the hard part.

The Cubs went 7-2 against Cincinnati, Washington and the Pirates over their last nine games, capped by a three-game sweep at Pittsburgh this week.

"All these teams that you play, every team you play at the end of the year, present a challenge," manager Lou Piniella said. "We played 7-2 ball. We'll take that every time."

Beginning Thursday night, the schedule gets much tougher. The Cubs open with four against NL East contender Philadelphia before welcoming Houston to Wrigley Field.

Of the Cubs' remaining 29 games, 26 are against teams that begin play Thursday above .500.

"Look, I said there's a challenge out there," Piniella said. ...More