CHICAGO — For the first time in six years, the Friendly Confines are about to explode with October baseball. The Chicago Cubs have officially clinched the top National League Wild Card spot and with it, the coveted home-field advantage in the first round of the postseason. For a fan base that has endured heartbreak, rebuilds, and near-misses, the announcement feels like a thunderbolt of hope — and a ticket to redemption.
The last time Cubs fans packed Wrigley Field for a postseason game was 2018, when a crushing Wild Card loss to the Colorado Rockies silenced a city that had only recently celebrated the 2016 World Series triumph. Since then, Wrigley has seen plenty of summer afternoons but no true taste of October drama. Now, that drought ends.
On Saturday, the Cubs’ 7–3 win over the Milwaukee Brewers, coupled with losses by the Mets and Padres, sealed the deal. The victory sent Wrigleyville into chaos — bars overflowing, fans chanting “Go Cubs Go!” in unison, and a city daring to believe that a magical run could be beginning.
“We’re bringing October back to Wrigley,” said manager Craig Counsell, who has guided the team through injuries, slumps, and pressure. “There’s nothing like playoff baseball here, and we’ve earned the right to give that to our fans.”
It hasn’t been easy. The Cubs’ 2025 campaign has been a rollercoaster — injuries to stars like Seiya Suzuki and Justin Steele, trade deadline drama, and constant scrutiny of GM Jed Hoyer. But rising heroes emerged. Nico Hoerner, fresh off winning the Heart & Hustle Award, became the team’s emotional engine. Rookie pitcher Cade Horton shocked the league by stabilizing the rotation, while Christopher Morel delivered clutch power in the second half.
The result? A 90-win season that silenced doubters and reignited one of baseball’s most passionate fan bases.
The anticipation for postseason baseball at Wrigley Field is palpable. Ticket demand has already skyrocketed, with resale prices doubling overnight. Hotels near Clark and Addison are reporting a surge in bookings.
Longtime fan Maria Delgado, a season-ticket holder since 1984, said through tears: “I was here in 2016, and I’ll be here again. We’ve waited long enough. Wrigley is ready to roar.”
For younger fans, this is a long-awaited first taste of playoff baseball with the full spectacle — stands filled, rooftops buzzing, and the Wrigleyville streets turning into a sea of blue.
Clinching the top Wild Card gives the Cubs not only home-field advantage, but momentum. They’ll host all three potential games of the opening round at Wrigley, where their record this season stands at an impressive 49–32. Analysts say the home crowd could be the decisive factor.
“When Wrigley shakes, you feel it in your bones,” said Hoerner. “We know what this city means to us, and we’re ready to fight for every pitch.”
The Cubs’ opponent remains undecided, but possibilities include powerhouse teams like the Dodgers or a red-hot Phillies squad. Whoever it is, they’ll be walking into one of the most intimidating environments in sports.
For Chicago, this isn’t just another playoff berth. It’s a chance to reclaim an identity, to bring back the electricity of 2016, and to remind the baseball world that the Cubs are not just a nostalgic story — they’re a force.
As Wrigley prepares to host its first postseason crowd since 2018, one truth is clear: the wait is over. The Cubs are back on October’s stage, and the Friendly Confines are about to become anything but friendly for whoever dares to step inside.
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