Cubs Clinch First Postseason Berth Since 2020

It has been seven years since the Cubs reached the playoffs in a full regular season. They won the NL Central in 2020, but because that season lasted only 60 games due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is not usually referenced when discussing records or postseason droughts. They were swept by the Marlins in the Wild Card round, ending their October run in just two games.

Before that, the 2018 Cubs saw their season end in the Wild Card play-in game against the Rockies. Their 88 wins were the third-most in the NL and fourth most in all of baseball, but they stumbled to the finish line. The last time the Cubs won a playoff game was in the 2017 NLCS against the Dodgers, so this team is looking to rewrite that script in less than two weeks.

The focus now shifts to securing the fourth seed, which would ensure the entire Wild Card series is hosted at Wrigley Field. They currently have a five-game lead over the Padres for that position, and maintaining that top spot would most likely mean facing the NL West team — either the Padres or Dodgers — that finishes second in the division.