PITTSBURGH, Pa. (WGN) — The Chicago Cubs are officially headed back to the playoffs.
The club clinched their first playoff appearance since 2020 Wednesday afternoon in front of small afternoon crowd 8-4 against the Pirates.
They got the scoring started early after a pitch buzzed over Nico Hoerner’s head in the first inning.
Ian Happ continued his hot ways launching a home run past right field and rookie Moises Ballesteros followed going back-to-back.
The Pirates battled back with catcher Joey Bart hitting a three-run shot in the bottom of the first. Pittsburgh tied it in the second and scoring ceased until the top of the sixth.
Michael Busch, who has been on fire lately, knocked in Dansby Swanson with a sac fly to make it 5-4. Happ added on with an RBI single up the middle, this time from the right side, to put the Cubs up 6-4.
The two-out magic continued with Justin Turner adding a pinch-hit single as the inning ended 7-4. He drove in Hoerner again in the 8th for the final run of the game.
The bullpen didn’t allow a run after Boyd gave up all four Pirates’ runs in the first three innings.
For Hoyer and company, making the 2025 playoffs was an absolute must after back-to-back 83-79 seasons. The 2020 Wild Card series at home against Miami was forgettable, after the Cubs put up only one run, and a rebuild began that offseason.
The Cubs traded fan favorite Yu Darvish to San Diego for Owen Caissie and three other prospects.
While maintaining measured along the way (i.e. the “we have to worry about the 2032 Cubs” comment), the club took a swing going into 2025 by trading for perennial all-star Kyle Tucker.
Yes he’s currently dealing with health issues after an ice cold August, but no doubt the fear and protection he added into the lineup massively contributed to one of the best first-halves in team history.
Second year manager Craig Counsell will hope the lineup heats up even more while Tucker works down in Tampa to return to 1060 W. Addison.
Two things that the skipper and his staff will be thinking about after the bubbly flows in the locker room will be who makes the bench and the rotation’s order. Horton and his second half put him in position to start Game 1, but the Cubs could move to Shota Imanaga especially if the wind is blowing in.
The Cubs are currently slotted to host the Padres in the first round of the NL Wild Card Series at Wrigley Field. There’s an outside chance the Cubs still have a shot for a division title, especially if the Brewers lose to the Angels Wednesday evening.
The team is holding a presale lottery for playoff tickets. Game 1 will be Tuesday, Sept. 30. Times have not been announced yet.