What happened: The Chicago Cubs secured a postseason berth following a victory over the Miami Marlins on Thursday. The win guarantees the club a spot in the playoff bracket.

Why it matters: This marks the second consecutive season Chicago has reached the playoffs, validating their late-season push. The clinching victory removes any lingering suspense about their October status.

What to watch: Chicago will now focus on playoff seeding and setting up their pitching rotation for the opening round.