For the first time as the manager of the Chicago Cubs, Craig Counsell has led the team to the postseason. The Cubs topped the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday and moved to 88-64 on the season, and sealed their spot in the postseason.
The worst the Cubs can do is finish as the third wildcard, but that’s not likely. Chicago, with the win, moved 5.5 games ahead of the Padres, and is 9.5 games clear of the New York Mets. The Diamondbacks are now 11 games back.
Chicago got off to a quick start Wednesday with four runs in the first inning. Ian Happ and Moises Ballesteros both hit home runs. It was then tied after two innings, with a Joey Bart three-run homer in the first and an Andrew McCutchen RBI in the second.
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Michael Busch gave the Cubs the lead in the sixth inning at PNC Park, with Ian Happ and Justin Turner adding to the score. The Cubs led 7-4. Turner drove another run in during the top of the 8th.
Matthew Boyd struggled on the mound for the Cubs, with three innings, seven hits, and four runs allowed. The bullpen took over from there, though, and picked up the final 18 outs, allowing just three hits and striking out six. Aaron Civale was strong, throwing three scoreless innings.
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