Chicago (93-60) held on for a 5-4 win over St. Louis on Saturday to clinch consecutive playoff appearances for the first time since 1908 - the last time the storied franchise won a World Series title.

The Cubs, 8-4 since losing six in a row, won 85 games and the Central last year before being swept by Arizona in the divisional series. They also were considered a favorite to repeat in 2008.

"They pretty much felt all year they were going to end up right here and get the first step done ," Chicago general manager Jim Hendry said. "They should be enjoying it, but you can tell they got some other business on their mind to take care of this year."

Manager Lou Piniella has a chance to rest some regulars and set his rotation while trying to maintain the NL's best record and home-field advantage in the final week of the regular season. After Sunday's home finale, the Cubs play at New York and Milwaukee - both playoff contenders - to close out the season.

"It's a relief and you have to let it out and enjoy it," first baseman Derrek Lee said of clinching . "We're still trying to get to our ultimate goal. We still have a lot of work to do."

On Saturday, Alfonso Soriano drove in two runs while Ted Lilly pitched seven solid innings and laid down a successful squeeze bunt which proved to be the deciding run that sent Chicago back to the postseason.

"They're a good club, you can't give them those opportunities," St. Louis manager Tony La Russa said.

Former Cardinal Jim Edmonds had a double and caught a fly ball for the final out against the team he won a World Series with in 2006. Edmonds, outfielder Reed Johnson and pitcher Rich Harden weren't with the club heading into spring training, but proved invaluable along with stars like Lee, Soriano, Aramis Ramirez and Carlos Zambrano.

"We all want the same thing. You don't have guys who are looking to do anything other than win a championship," Lilly said. "So it's a pretty special thing to be a part of."

Another key contributor takes the mound on Sunday. Ryan Dempster (16-6, 3.02 ERA), the team's closer the last three seasons, allowed two runs and seven hits while striking out nine in six innings of a 5-4 victory over Milwaukee on Tuesday to set a career high for wins.

The right-hander is 3-4 with a 5.14 ERA in 10 starts against the Cardinals and 1-0 with a 3.29 ERA in two this season.

St. Louis (80-74), barely alive in the wild-card race, counters with Braden Looper (12-13, 4.06) as he tries to set a career high for wins. Looper, though, has dropped his last three decisions after giving up four runs and six hits in seven innings of a 7-2 loss at Cincinnati on Tuesday.

The right-hander, who already has a career high for losses, is 2-3 with a 1.96 ERA in seven starts versus the Cubs and 0-2 with a 2.37 ERA in three this season.

Troy Glaus hit a three-run homer Saturday for the Cardinals, who are 6-8 against Chicago in 2008. Three of Glaus' four hits in 45 at-bats versus the Cubs this season are homers - all coming at Wrigley.