Cubs Vs. Brewers: Tiebreaker Game Needed To Decide NL Central

CHICAGO — Get ready for extra regular season baseball, Chicago Cubs fans. The North Siders might have already secured a playoff berth, but they still need to play a 163rd game to decide who will be National League Central champs.

The Cubs will face the Milwaukee Brewers in a tiebreaker Monday at Wrigley Field. The winner will capture the NL Central and play next in the NL Division series, which starts Thursday. That team also will have the best record in the NL and have home field advantage throughout the NL playoffs.

The loser advances to the single elimination Wild Card game Tuesday, which the team will host. This also means that the loser will have played five consecutive games going into the postseason.

This isn't the only tiebreaking game Monday. The Los Angeles Dodgers will play the Colorado Rockies to decide who wins the NL West crown. The loser will play in Tuesday's Wild Card game.

Here's what you need to know about the Cubs-Brewers tiebreaker:

Milwaukee Brewers at Chicago Cubs: The Basics

First Pitch: Noon Monday, Oct. 1

Where: Wrigley Field, Chicago

Pitchers: Jose Quintana (13-11, 4.09 ERA) vs. Jhoulys Chacin (15-8, 3.56 ERA)

TV | Radio | Streaming: ESPN | 670 AM The Score | WatchESPN and MLB.TV

Tiebreaker History: The Cubs are 2-0 in tiebreakers, winning in 1908 and 1998. The Brewers have never played in a Wild Card game.

Playing Hooky: The Cubs gave fans an excuse to skip work or school in order to catch the game:

Chicago Cubs players Willson Contreras and Alec Mills celebrate during the Sunday, Sept. 30, game against the St. Louis Cardinals. (Photo by Andrew Weber | Getty Images)