From Chicago Sun-Times · · 1m 20s
Cubs One Win From Second Straight Playoff Berth
Cubs clinch wild-card spot with one win, rare for 150-year franchise.
In brief
Cubs clinch wild-card spot with one win, rare for 150-year franchise. Cubs need one victory to secure second consecutive playoff berth after winning 9-1 against Reds. Originally reported by Chicago Sun-Times.
Cubs one win from playoff berth
Cubs need one victory to reach second straight playoff berth.
“Cubs are one victory away from back-to-back playoff berths, a common occurrence for some franchises but an infrequent achievement for a 150-year-old franchise with three World Series titles.”
Cubs face Marlins Tuesday
Cubs play Marlins at Wrigley Field Tuesday.
“All they need to do is win Tuesday, when they return to Wrigley Field to face the Marlins, a ballclub that, like several others, has ruined celebration plans before.”
Cubs win 9-1 vs Reds
Cubs beat Reds 9-1 with David Peterson and Pete Crow-Armstrong.
“The Cubs held up their end, winning 9-1. David Peterson allowed one run in six innings, and Pete Crow-Armstrong hit his 45th home run and stole his 38th base.”
Cubs plan to watch D-backs
Cubs planned to stay at D-backs game site to watch Yankees.
“If they won, the Cubs planned to stay in the visitors’ clubhouse at Great American Ball Park and watch the D-backs, whose game started just as the Cubs’ ended.”
D-backs win, Cubs leave early
D-backs win, Cubs leave early to avoid waiting.
“The D-backs ended up winning, so the Cubs’ departure was for the best.”
Cubs tied with Padres
Cubs tied with Padres for wild-card spot.
“With six games left, the Cubs are tied with the Padres for the first wild-card spot but hold the tiebreaker.”
Cubs finish second in Central
Cubs finish second behind Brewers in NL Central.
“For the third consecutive season, the Cubs will finish in second place in the Central behind the Brewers, from whom they lured Counsell to work his small-market magic at the big-market level.”
Counsell vs Murphy
Counsell and Murphy have different impacts on teams.
“It hasn’t gone according to plan because the guy who was Counsell’s bench coach with the Brewers, Pat Murphy, might be getting more out of that club than Counsell did, at least during the regular season.”
Crow-Armstrong's slump
Crow-Armstrong had two-game slump before Sunday.
“He snapped that ‘‘skid’’ Sunday by going 3-for-5 with three runs scored, a double, a homer and two RBI.”
Counsell on slumps
Counsell says every player gets slumps.
“Every player is begging for a two-game slump, you may get him a day or two, but it’s coming.”
Cubs need MVP
Crow-Armstrong likely NL MVP, needs to play well in playoffs.
“Crow-Armstrong is likely to be the NL MVP, and the Cubs will need him to play like one in the playoffs.”
Cubs need everything
Cubs need offense, defense, pitching to click.
“They will need everything to click, from their major-league-best offense and defense to their still-undecided pitching staff.”
Cubs playoff hopes
Cubs aim for wild-card series vs Padres.
“With six games left, the Cubs are tied with the Padres for the first wild-card spot but hold the tiebreaker.”
The takeaway
Cubs need one victory to secure second consecutive playoff berth after winning 9-1 against Reds.
