BREAKING: The Chicago Cubs have clinched their first postseason berth since 2020 with a decisive 8-4 victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates on September 27, 2023. This marks a significant milestone for the Cubs, who have surged in recent weeks, winning four consecutive games and seven of their last eight.
In a thrilling showdown at PNC Park, Ian Happ shone brightly, hitting a homer and driving in three runs. The Cubs now lead the National League wild-card standings with an impressive 88-64 record. Nico Hoerner contributed with two hits and crossed home plate three times, while Justin Turner came off the bench to secure two vital RBI singles.
The Cubs took control of the game in the sixth inning, scoring three runs bolstered by errors from Pirates reliever Yohan Ramírez and catcher Joey Bart. Michael Busch delivered a tiebreaking sacrifice fly to bring in Dansby Swanson, followed by run-scoring singles from Happ and Turner.
The game started explosively for Chicago, who scored four runs in the first inning before the Pirates recorded an out. Busch opened the scoring by walking and later scoring on a balk. Then Happ blasted his 23rd home run off pitcher Johan Oviedo, a two-run shot that prompted an early visit to the mound. Moises Ballesteros followed suit, hitting his second career homer.
Pittsburgh fought back with a three-run blast from Bart in the bottom of the first, and Andrew McCutchen tied the game with a bases-loaded walk in the second. However, the Cubs’ pitching held strong, with Aaron Civale earning the win after pitching three scoreless innings.
This victory cements the Cubs’ dominance over the Pirates this season, finishing with a 10-3 record against them. As the postseason approaches, fans are eagerly anticipating how far this revitalized team can go.
What’s Next: The Cubs will next turn their focus to the playoffs, where they aim to build on this momentum. Stay tuned for updates as the postseason unfolds!
