Manager Lou Piniella has juggled his rotation for the remainder of the series against the Mets. 

--RHP Jason Marquis' grand slam was the first by a Cubs pitcher since Kevin Tapani hit one against Atlanta's Denny Neagle in 1998. 

The New York Mets hope their last few days in Shea Stadium won't result in another demoralizing late-season homestand that keeps them out of the postseason. 

The Chicago Cubs adjusted their pitching rotation this week to prepare for the first round of the playoffs. 

Jason Marquis hit a grand slam Monday night against the New York Mets and became the first Chicago Cubs pitcher in 36 years to have five RBIs in a game. 

Jason Marquis became the second pitcher to hit a grand slam against the Mets this season, and the Chicago Cubs clinched home-field advantage throughout the NL playoffs with a 9-5 victory Monday night that damaged New York's postseason chances. 

If the New York Mets miss the playoffs after another late collapse, they'll look back and bemoan a pair of improbable homers that contributed to their demise. 

Now that the Cubs have clinched the NL Central, manager Lou Piniella and his coaching staff will use the upcoming week to rest players and set the playoff pitching rotation. 

--RHP Chad Gaudin returned to the club after a stint at the spring training facility in Arizona, where he was rehabbing a sore lower back. 

MEDICAL WATCH: RHP Chad Gaudin (sore lower back) didn't pitch Aug. 

A day after the Chicago Cubs clinched the NL Central, Ryan Dempster was surrounded by reserves when he took the mound for the regular-season home finale at Wrigley Field. 

There were signs of a potential New York Mets' collapse in 2007 before the final week of the season, but it was the six losses in their final seven games that ultimately doomed them. 

The Chicago Cubs stormed up the dugout steps, spraying champagne bottles the whole way. 

The Chicago Cubs have more than a week to prepare for a run at the franchise's first World Series title in 100 years. 

The Cubbies are in.