The Chicago Cubs are on the verge of securing their first postseason spot since 2020. Tuesday's night’s 4-1 win over Pittsburgh, powered by a homerun from Michael Busch and five strong innings from Cade Horton, pushed their magic number to just one. With 11 games left, the Cubs are in position to lock down a Wild Card berth before leaving Pittsburgh, with a win on Wednesday.
Wild Card chaos favors Chicago
Chicago sits 9.5 games clear in the race, a comfortable cushion over the crowded group fighting for the final spots. The Padres are five games back of the Cubs for the top Wild Card position, while the Mets, Diamondbacks, and Giants are scrambling for the last ticket. With San Francisco falling to Arizona on Monday and Tuesday, Chicago’s path got even smoother.
Wrigley dreams of October nights
Punching the playoff ticket is step one. Step two is locking down the No. 4 seed, which would give Chicago home-field advantage in the Wild Card round. That matters for a team that has found a spark at Wrigley down the stretch.
Division chase on life support
The Brewers won again on Tuesday, staying five games ahead of Chicago in the National League Central. The Cubs aren’t giving up, though their focus is clearly on sealing October baseball any way possible.
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Ending the drought, sparking the memories
This would be Chicago’s first postseason appearance in five years, breaking a drought that stretched back to the COVID-shortened 2020 season. For fans who remember the steady October runs from 2015-2020, including the unforgettable 2016 World Series, this push feels like a return to relevance.
Road ahead looks promising
The Cubs’ remaining slate sets up favorably: one more in Pittsburgh, four in Cincinnati, then finishing at home with the Mets and Cardinals. With their magic number down to one, Chicago’s clinch could come in a matter of hours, and the focus will quickly shift to whether Wrigley will be hosting playoff baseball again.
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