The Cubs clinch their playoff spot with an 8-4 victory over the Pirates, led by Ian Happ’s homer and three RBIs as Chicago extends its win streak to four and sits atop the NL wild-card race at 88-64. Nico Hoerner tallies two hits and scores three times, while Michael Busch adds a leadoff walk and a sac fly that sparks a key three-run sixth. Aaron Civale handles three scoreless innings for the win, and Chicago’s offense pounced early, leveraging a balk and an opponent’s mis plays to seize control.

Moises Ballesteros adds a second career homer, and Justin Turner provides RBI singles in a six-run sixth that breaks the game open. Pittsburgh’s Joey Bart hits a three-run shot in the bottom half, but the Cubs’ early surge—paired with a shaky start by Johan Oviedo—keeps Chicago in command. The Pirates fall to 10-3 in the season series, as Chicago solidifies its postseason trajectory.