Derrek Lee was a member of the Florida Marlins four years ago when they came to Wrigley Field and won the NL championship series. What he heard from the crowd Sunday in the Chicago Cubs‘ regular-season finale at home sounded very familiar.”This is playoff atmosphere already. I remember playing here in ‘03 in the playoffs, this is pretty close right now. I’m excited if we are able to get into the playoffs what it will be like,” Lee said.

Lee homered and Carlos Zambrano earned his career-best 17th win to help the Cubs beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 8-0.

The victory, coupled with Milwaukee’s 7-4 loss in Atlanta, pushed Chicago’s lead in the NL Central to 3 1/2 games with six to go — all away from home.

The Cubs, who have won 10 of 12, are off Monday before hitting the road to play Florida and Cincinnati as they try to wrap up their first playoff berth in four years. The second-place Brewers have seven games left — all at home — against the Cardinals and Padres.