Context:

The Chicago Cubs clinched their second consecutive playoff berth with a 2-1 win over the Miami Marlins, as Pete Crow-Armstrong joined the 40-40 club with his 40th stolen base and 45th home run. Seiya Suzuki contributed a homer, and Chicago secured a Wild Card spot, continuing a postseason streak that could extend the franchise’s run of playoff appearances. The win came as part of a broader late-season surge, with the Cubs learning their fate alongside a rival Chicago club’s playoff clinch earlier in the day. Looking ahead, the Cubs will wrap the regular season with a doubleheader in Boston, while Miami finishes its campaign with a series against Atlanta.

Dive Deeper:

• Pete Crow-Armstrong reached the 40-40 milestone by stealing his 40th base and belting his 45th homer, joining a select group that includes Shohei Ohtani and Ronald Acuña Jr.

• The Cubs edged the Marlins 2-1, clinching Chicago’s second straight postseason berth and securing a wild card spot; Seiya Suzuki provided the Cubs’ other run with a homer.

• Crow-Armstrong drew a leadoff walk, stole second base on the next pitch, and reached 40 steals in 47 attempts, drawing chants of 'MVP' from the crowd at Wrigley Field.

• Pitching was led by Matthew Boyd, who allowed one run on five hits over seven innings, while Ryan Zeferjahn worked a perfect ninth for his seventh save in a five-hitter.

• Ian Happ started the decisive sixth with a triple and scored on Nico Hoerner’s single to break a 1-1 tie, providing the Cubs’ go-ahead run.

• For Miami, Jakob Marsee had an RBI single, and Suzuki added his 26th homer of the season off Jack Ralston, with the Marlins suffering their third straight non-winning season.

• The Cubs’ future schedule includes a day-night doubleheader in Boston due to a storm postponement, while Miami finishes the season with a three-game set against Atlanta.