Cubs Soak in the Moment After Clinching First Postseason Berth Since 2020.

The wait was five years, though it felt much longer.

In a darkened visitors’ clubhouse at PNC Park, the Chicago Cubs embraced, drenched in champagne and unbothered by the sting of the past. They had clinched a postseason berth for the first time since 2020 — but for the first time since 2017, they actually celebrated.

Back in 2020, muted pandemic restrictions dulled the mood. In 2018, they saved the party, hoping for a division crown, only to finish behind Milwaukee. This time, after an 8–4 win over the Pirates on Wednesday night, they finally let it all out.

“When you’re in it, you think it’s going to happen every year,” pitcher Matthew Boyd said. “The reality is, this is really hard to do. This means so much to all of us. We’re not done yet. That’s the most important thing.”

A Season of Persistence

The Cubs (88–64) felt playoff-bound as early as May, when they went 18–9. But the road wasn’t smooth. They led the NL Central through mid-July, only to lose the top spot to the Brewers by month’s end. Instead of folding, Chicago surged: four straight wins, seven victories in eight games, and a Wild Card lead.

“It’s a grind of a season. You celebrate the first goal you accomplish,” manager Craig Counsell said. “We’ve made it to our first goal and that’s exciting. For everybody that’s worked so hard, this is a fun thing to do. You don’t get to do this in regular jobs — celebrate and throw champagne on each other.”

Happ’s Homecoming, Crow-Armstrong’s First Taste

Ian Happ made the moment his own. A Pittsburgh native and nine-year Cub, he crushed a two-run homer in the first inning and drove in three runs. Then, corks popped — on the field and in the clubhouse.

For Happ, it was a full-circle reminder of 2017, when he celebrated alongside Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, Javier Báez, and Kyle Schwarber. This time, he pulled 23-year-old Pete Crow-Armstrong close.

“There was definitely a mention of, ‘This is not the last,’” Crow-Armstrong said. “Ian learned from some of the best, and now he’s one of the best at passing it on. I’ve got full trust in Ian as a leader.”

Crow-Armstrong’s rookie season started red-hot — 25 homers and 71 RBIs before the All-Star break — but has cooled since. Still, he’s eager for the new challenge. “I’ve never experienced October baseball. I’m just ready to go all in.”

Injury Watch: Kyle Tucker

The Cubs’ push comes without All-Star right fielder Kyle Tucker, sidelined since Sept. 9 with a left calf injury. Tucker, batting .270 with 22 homers, 73 RBIs, and 25 steals in his first year in Chicago, has paused his recovery work and will see a physical therapy group in Florida.

“We’ve plateaued and weren’t making progress,” Counsell said. “That’s frustrating for Kyle, but this is the best way forward.”

Eyes on More

The Cubs know the champagne shower isn’t the finish line. Players echoed the same refrain: celebrate now, aim higher tomorrow.

“We got to go to the playoffs in 2020, but doing it at the end of a full 162 is totally different,” Nico Hoerner said. “Baseball is such a game of persistence and camaraderie. It’s obviously not our ultimate goal, but it’s still a huge milestone along the way.”

The message was clear: this isn’t the last party.