Chicago Cubs clinch a postseason berth, their first since 2020, and set the stage for a potential top Wild Card seed as the NL field tightens around them. Milwaukee and Philadelphia already locked in, with Dodgers and Padres in the mix for byes and seeds as the Mets and others jockey for the last wild-card spots. Cubs rotation likely features Imanaga, Horton, and Boyd as playoff anchors, while the lineup combines solid runs with strong defense. Injuries to Kyle Tucker and Daniel Palencia could shift late-season usage as Chicago plans October rest and postseasons auditions. Blue Jays loom as the next likely clincher in the NL-wide race.

Hoyer’s Cubs, rebuilt since Theo Epstein’s exit, balance offense and pitching with a +129 run differential and a run-scoring edge near the league's top. The Cubs sit eight and a half games clear of the Padres for the top wild-card, with a potentially favorable path through a Wild Card Series at home. Rested veterans and emergent youngsters will share responsibilities as October approaches, while the broader NL picture—Brewers, Phillies, Dodgers, Padres, and Mets—points toward a compressed, high-stakes finish.

Sosa lands on the 10-day IL with a groin strain, targeting a Sept. 23 return. Rafael Lantigua is recalled, a 27-year-old who hit .232 with seven homers across 124 Lehigh Valley games, versatile enough to cover 2B/3B/SS. The move comes as Philadelphia guards him against turf risk in Arizona.

Playoff plans center on Cristopher Sánchez as Game 1 starter and a possible three-lefty rotation. Nola’s late-season form is under scrutiny, while Bohm and Turner push toward activation. Realmuto sits to rest and Marchán steps in, keeping the lineup flexible for the final stretch.