Overview

• Players and staff doused the visitors' clubhouse in champagne and cigars, which manager Craig Counsell defended as celebrating the season's first goal achieved.
• The clinch came on an 8-4 victory over the Pirates at PNC Park, returning the Cubs to October baseball for the first time in five years.
• Chairman Tom Ricketts joined top executives Jed Hoyer, Carter Hawkins and Jared Banner in Pittsburgh for the potential clinch and postgame celebration.
• Veterans and homegrown players, including Ian Happ and Nico Hoerner, reflected on the moment's meaning for the clubhouse and the organization.
• If current standings hold, the Cubs would host the Padres in a wild-card series at Wrigley Field starting Sept. 30, capping progress from a rebuild launched in 2021.