Happ homers as the Cubs clinch first postseason berth since 2020 with an 8-4 win over the Pirates
September 17, 2025
Ian Happ homered and drove in three runs, and the Chicago Cubs clinched their first postseason berth since 2020 with an 8-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Chicago has won four in a row and seven of eight overall. It leads the NL wild-card standings with an 88-64 record. Nico Hoerner had two hits and scored three times for the Cubs. Justin Turner hit a pair of RBI singles after entering in the sixth. The Cubs grabbed control with three runs in the sixth, helped by errors on Pirates reliever Yohan RamĂrez and catcher Joey Bart. Aaron Civale pitched three scoreless innings for the win.