Overview

• The Cubs secured their first postseason berth since 2020 with an 8-4 win over the Pirates, ending a five-year playoff drought.
• Current projections have Chicago positioned as an NL wild-card host, with a potential best-of-three series at Wrigley Field against the Padres if seeding holds.
• The Giants topped the Diamondbacks 5-1 in 11 innings after Brandon Pfaadt fired nine one-hit scoreless frames and Justin Verlander delivered seven shutout innings.
• San Francisco moved to within 2.5 games of the Mets for the final NL wild-card slot, while Arizona fell two games back, per standings updates on Wednesday.
• Cubs outfielder Kyle Tucker traveled to Tampa for calf treatment after rehab progress plateaued, and closer Daniel Palencia is set for a Triple-A assignment as he targets a late-September return.