PLAYOFF BOUND!!!! Cubs sweep Pirates for first playoff berth since 2020 |
Dustin Riese
· · 2 hours ago
PITTSBURGH - To say the 2025 Chicago Cubs' (88-64) season was a rollercoaster is an understatement, as this team went through its share of ups and downs. Despite that, the goal remained the same as the Cubs entered Wednesday's series finale against the Pittsburgh Pirates (65-88) needing a win to clinch their first playoff appearance since 2025.
Even with Matthew Boyd continuing to struggle on the mound, which is a concern, it was the Cubs' offense that put in the work, as a pair of big innings paved the way for the 8-4 victory and a 2025 postseason Berth. Next on the agenda is to secure the top Wild Card, as that will give the Cubs home-field advantage for the Wild Card round. Knowing what was at stake in this one, the Cubs wanted to clinch things as quickly as possible, and what better way than by putting up a four-spot against Johan Oviedo in the first. The right-hander struggled with his command from the jump as a leadoff walk to Michael Busch got things rolling, with Nico Hoerner answering with a single. Oviedo continued to struggle throughout the first inning, as an uncharacteristic balk pushed home the game's first run and put the Cubs on top 1-0. That was followed by a pair of homers from Ian Happ and Moises Ballesteros, and just like that, it was a 4-0 Cubs lead in four batters. For Happ, his homer continued an unbelievable trend against the Pirates as he has now reached base in 37 straight games at PNC Park, the longest active streak in the majors. Oviedo would hit Seiya Suzuki later in the inning, only to bounce back and get out of the first without any more significant damage. Facing a four-run deficit and with Boyd on the mound, you had to like the Cubs' chances to finish off the Pirates, but Boyd hasn't been the same pitcher as of late, as he came into this start with an ERA close to 6.00 over his last eight outings. That is a massive concern, given the postseason is nearing, and with his high workload this season, you have to wonder if the amount of innings is starting to catch up to him at the worst time. For the third consecutive outing, Boyd had a difficult time settling in, as a mix of command issues and hard contact allowed two Pirates to reach base with two outs. Then came the big blow for the Pirates as Joey Bart unloaded for a three-run shot to straightaway center as the Pirates suddenly were back in this game, 4-3. Pittsburgh continued to tee off on Boyd throughout the first, with Alexander Canario and Nick Yorke picking up a pair of singles, only to have Boyd finish the job. Shaky innings were the theme of both pitchers early on as Oviedo walked Matt Shaw and Busch to begin the second, only to recover and retire the next three. It was that moment when you started to see things shift as Oviedo got locked in and managed to give the Pirates five gutsy innings, allowing just those four first-inning runs. Boyd, on the other hand, couldn't buy an out as a pair of singles to Cam Devanney and Jared Triolo got things started, only to have Nick Gonzalez hit by a pitch load the bases with no outs. For the most part, Boyd managed to minimize the damage, but a bases-loaded walk to Andrew McCutchen did push home a run as the Pirates battled back to tie things up 4-4. For the afternoon, Boyd needed more than 80 pitches to get through three innings, allowing four runs and striking out five, as this was one of his worst outings of the season. Even with the Cubs' offense going cold after the first, putting pressure on the pen to keep things close, Chicago did have one massive advantage as former starter Aaron Civale was rested and ready to give Craig Counsell extended innings of work. That alone proved crucial for the Cubs as Civale came in to dominate the Pirates, allowing just one hit and striking out three across three scoreless innings of work. Looking to get their offense back on track after stalling out from the second inning on, Yohan Ramirez found out firsthand just how quickly this team can rattle you on the mound. Granted, his defense certainly didn't help, as a leadoff error allowed Dansby Swanson to reach, only to have a second error allow him to advance to third, with the Cubs having runners on the corners and one out. In desperate need of a big hit, Busch delivered in a different way as his sacrifice fly put the Cubs on top for good, 5-4. That was followed by a trio of singles from Hoerner, Happ, and Justin Turner as singles from Happ and Turner brought home two more runs to give the Cubs a 7-4 lead. Chicago had a chance to add to their lead in the seventh as another walk to Swanson put a runner on base, with a Reese McGuire single putting two runners on with one out. Unfortunately for the Cubs, they were unable to cash in as Shaw flew into an inning-ending double play, stranding two runners on base. The Cubs tacked on an additional run in the eighth off another Turner single to cap off the series sweep, 8-4. With the win, the Cubs know they are headed to the postseason and can now begin to plan how they will handle things down the stretch. Not only did the Cubs have 10 hits, but they also drew seven walks, resulting in plenty of traffic on the bases from start to finish. As has been the case for a while, Hoerner led the way for the Cubs as he picked up two more hits to raise his average to .303, and two points behind Trea Turner for the National League lead. He was one of three Cubs to pick up multiple hits as Turner and Happ joined him in that category. The Cubs will now head to Cincinnati to close out the road portion of their schedule as they begin a four-game set with the Reds on Thursday. "It's special ... It's gonna be great to be back in the postseason."
Ian Happ is emotional after the Cubs clinched a playoff berth. pic.twitter.com/v0bwV3D8yF
