Cubs push for playoff clinch
The gist
The Cubs lost 8-2 to the Marlins in 12 innings.
Their playoff spot is still within reach.
How it unfolded
- Sep 19, 2026The Cubs beat the Reds 5-2 at Great American Ball Park, cutting their magic number to clinch a playoff spot to two. Michael Busch hit his 20th home run and Matthew Boyd won his ninth game.
- Sep 20, 2026The Cubs beat the Reds 9-1 but did not clinch because the Diamondbacks beat the Yankees 8-4. Pete Crow-Armstrong went 3-for-5 with a homer, and Alex Bregman left in the fourth after a teammate's foul ball hit him in the face.
- Sep 22, 2026The Cubs lost 8-2 to the Marlins in 12 innings at Wrigley Field while the Diamondbacks beat the Rockies, dropping Chicago (87-70) into a three-way tie with the Phillies and Padres in the NL Wild Card picture.