Chicago Cubs clinch playoff spot for first time in five years
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Cubs fans wave "W" flags at Wrigley Field in September. Photo: Geoff Stellfox/MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Chicago Cubs are heading back to the playoffs for the first time since the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.
The latest: The Cubs beat the Pirates to clinch a wild-card spot with just under two weeks left in the regular season.
- The team is still 4.5 games back of the NL Central division-leading Brewers.
State of play: By clinching, the Cubs are likely to host a three-game series against the San Diego Padres in early October. The Padres currently hold a four-game lead for the second wild-card slot.
Zoom in: The Cubs are on track to win 90 games for the first time since 2018.
- The team's resurgent season is thanks in part to a dynamic first-half offense that set the league on fire from April to June.
Reality check: Since that time, they've cooled, losing the division lead.
Yes, but: Even with the mild cool-off, the Cubs are still considered one of the best teams in the National League.
Threat level: The team's second-half mini-swoon coincided with decreased production from all-stars Kyle Tucker and Pete Crow-Armstrong.
- The team announced in August that Tucker had fractured his hand in June, but didn't put him on the injured list. Instead, he played through the pain while his stats fell off. He is currently dealing with a calf strain and has been sent to Tampa Bay for alternative treatment, according to The Athletic. It's unclear if he'll return for the rest of the regular season.
- Crow-Armstrong, who was once on track for 40 home runs and 40 steals, has fallen off considerably. He's only hit one home run since Aug. 22, giving him 29 for the season.
- Also, Seiya Suzuki is dealing with an unknown illness that has kept him out of the lineup, but he played Wednesday.
Zoom out: For the Cubs to be a threat in the playoffs, they'll have to rely on their pitching staff. The team didn't add big names at the trading deadline, so the North Siders will count on second-year player Shota Imanaga, veteran Matthew Boyd and rookie Cade Horton to eat innings in the playoffs.
The bottom line: Regardless of all that ails the team, fans are excited that the Cubs could play a playoff series at Wrigley Field.