If the Cubs are smart...

...they'll continue to rest players in earnest against the Mets. If New York and Philadelphia make the postseason, the two NL East rivals cannot play each other in the first round of the playoffs. The division winner, which would more likely be Philadelphia, gets the Dodgers in the division series. The Cubs would get the Wild Card.

Playing the Mets in the first round is a much better situation for Chicago than playing the red hot Dodgers. If Chicago gets its way, Philly and LA will beat up on each other for the right to go to the Windy City.

Then again, the Cubs have to watch what the Phillies are doing tonight. If Philadelphia loses, the Cubs might want to go ahead and win. I don't think they want New York to catch them and force the Phils to visit Chicago.