Chicago, September 17, 2025
In a defining moment for the 2025 season the Chicago Cubs have officially clinched a berth in the Major League Baseball postseason with a dramatic road victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Chicago’s 8-4 win today marks their first postseason appearance since the pandemic-shortened 2020 season and the first full 162-game playoff qualification since 2018 Reuters reported.
A furious start powered the Cubs as Moises Ballesteros and Ian Happ launched back-to-back home runs in the opening inning, setting the tone early. Bleed Cubbie Blue+2CBS News+2 But the game truly shifted in the sixth. With the game tied at four Chicago capitalized on two costly Pirates errors, and a sacrifice fly from Michael Busch gave the Cubs a lead they would not relinquish. Happ followed with an RBI single, turning the momentum fully in Chicago’s favor.
Despite some shaky moments from starter Matthew Boyd who surrendered four runs in three innings the bullpen stepped up with Aaron Civale, among others, shutting the door in relief. Reuters+2Bleed Cubbie Blue+2 Overall the Cubs improved to 88-64 and have now won four straight and seven of their last eight.
Gene J. Puskar/AP
What this means Beyond the celebratory fireworks in Wrigleyville this clinch restores postseason hopes long dormant for the Cubs. They will take their momentum into October and likely host in the wild-card round. The team’s consistency through the stretch run and ability to win on the road have been keys. Looking ahead attention will turn to how the Cubs manage their pitching rotation and how the offense holds up when every at bat matters most. Key players will be counted on: Ian Happ continues to lead by example Moises Ballesteros has added power and spark and the bullpen depth may be tested in high leverage moments. Injuries have tailed them this year but they’ve persevered.
As the postseason schedule looms the Cubs are back where fans expected them to be all season anchored by belief hope and the sort of timely baseball that makes October special. From AMG Sports Media this is your front-row report on Chicago’s return to the postseason.
