The Reds pretty much played themselves out of the wild-card race by getting swept by the A’s in Sacramento over the weekend. They trail the Mets by 2.5 games for the final wild-card spot, but now they have both the Diamondbacks and Giants ahead of them. The Cubs could eliminate Cincinnati this weekend.

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell had a hilarious admission regarding his team's celebration after clinching a playoff spot.

I love pitching in high-stakes moments,” Horton said. “It’s a lot of fun to go out there and compete when you’re in the thick of it.”

Chicago Cubs’ Kyle Tucker (30) celebrates with manager Craig Counsell, right, at the dugout after scoring on a Carson Kelly single during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, in Chicago.

The Chicago Cubs didn’t mess around with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday night and, as a result, they’re another day closer to clinching a playoff berth. Home

Fans can also secure access to half of the potential postseason games by placing a deposit toward 2026 Cubs season tickets or suite rentals. Details are available at cubs.com/tickets. There is no fee to register, and fans remain eligible for future drawings even if not selected in the first round.