Dexter Fowler started the party, and the Chicago Cubs' offense scored early and often on route to a 9-0 Labor Day victory over the St. Louis Cardinals (87-50). The Cubs (79-57) scored eight times in the first three innings and got into the Cardinals' bullpen early. St. Louis used seven pitchers in Game 1 of the three-game series.

Fowler lined a 3-2 pitch down the right-field line and into the stands for a lead-off home run (17) that gave the Cubs the early lead (video). He then added a two-run double in the second to make the score 3-0 (video). Fowler was 2 for 3 with 1 R and 3 RBI on the afternoon.

The Cubs exploded for five runs in the top of the third (video), aided by a key two-out base hit from pitcher Dan Haren. Anthony Rizzo (double) and Miguel Montero (single) each drove in runs with hits. With two outs, Haren laced a single into right to keep the inning alive. Addison Russell followed with a three-run home run (13) over the center-field wall off Seth Maness to make the score 8-0 by the end of the third (video). 

Haren added a sacrifice fly to drive in a run in the fifth (video); he finished 1 for 3 with 1 RBI and 1 R on the offensive side of the ball.

Haren (W: 9-9, 3.73 ERA) flourished on the mound as well. He pitched seven scoreless innings, scattering seven hits. He walked two and struck out five. Only Jason Heyward and Yadier Molina hit safely twice.

The Cardinals threatened off Haren in the fourth when they loaded the bases with one out. Haren, though, got Jon Jay on a foul popup and Mark Reynolds to fly out to right fielder Kris Bryant to get out of that inning.

Cubs pitching prospect Carl Edwards, Jr. (AKA C.J. Edwards) made his Major League debut with a scoreless eighth inning. He walked his first hitter but got a huge double play to keep him at the three-man minimum. Zac Rosscup finished it out with three strikeouts although Kolten Wong reached on a wild pitch. 

Lance Lynn (L: 11-9, 3.12) did not have it today. He allowed six earned runs on seven hits in 2 1/3 innings. He walked two, struck out two, and gave up Fowler's lead-off home run. Six relievers combined for 6 2/3 innings and allowed three runs, two of them earned.

It is unlikely that the Cubs will catch the Cardinals for the division title (7.5 games out with 26 left to play), but it is still possible as the two teams play five more times in September. Following this three-game series that ends Wednesday, the teams meet again at Wrigley Field from September 18-20.

Still, winning this series -- a possible NLDS preview -- would show all of Major League Baseball that the Cubs are serious postseason contenders.

The Cubs' win combined with the Pittsburgh Pirates' loss also pulls the Cubs to within two games of the top National League wild card spot. The Cubs and Pirates begin a four-game series in Pittsburgh on Tuesday, September 15. The first day will feature a double-header. They will meet again in Chicago on the weekend of September 25-27.

On Tuesday, the Cubs will send Jason Hammel (7-6, 3.55) to the mound against the Cardinals' Michael Wacha (15-4, 2.69). The first pitch is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. EDT. Game 3 Wednesday will see Jon Lester take on Carlos Martinez in a matinee.