The Chicago Cubs had every reason to celebrate on Wednesday after clinching their first playoff berth since the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.
They even had manager Craig Counsell's approval to do so, even though the regular-season mission is not done.
Fresh off its seventh win in eight outings and a celebration with champagne showers, Chicago (88-64) will look to continue its good fortune on Thursday night when it opens a four-game series against the host Cincinnati Reds (76-76).
"Winning's the best. It's the best. It's the reason we play this game," Dansby Swanson told Marquee Sports Network after the Cubs punched their ticket to the playoffs with an 8-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday.
"It's not about individual numbers. It's about group numbers. It's incredible to see the joy on people's faces."
Counsell had plenty of joy on his face, too. That said, he also noted that his players have even more to gain in the regular season.
"Of course every team that's in this situation is thinking ahead to a certain extent and wants to do more. We're in the same boat," he said.
Chicago resides five games behind the first-place Milwaukee Brewers (93-59) in the National League Central. The odds of winning the division aren't in the Cubs' favor given they have just 10 games remaining, but that's not stopping Dansby Swanson from looking ahead.
"You kind of get into a headspace, in a mode where you know what this group's capable of, and it's not really just about getting into the postseason," Swanson told the Chicago Tribune. "That's obviously a step. In order to truly win, you have to get in the postseason. But there's no time to reflect.
"We've just got to keep going and continuing to play our brand of baseball, which I think we've been doing over the last week-plus. It's important to continue going into the end of the season -- and whatever is after -- feeling good about where we are."
Ian Happ, the longest-tenured member of the Cubs, belted a two-run homer to highlight his team's four-run first inning on Wednesday. He added an RBI single in a three-run sixth.
Happ and the Cubs will take aim at Cincinnati right-hander Hunter Greene (6-4, 3.01 ERA), who is scheduled to start on Thursday.
Greene struggled in his most recent outing, yielding five runs on four hits -- including two homers -- in 2 1/3 innings of his team's 11-5 setback to the Athletics on Saturday.
He received a no-decision in his lone encounter with Chicago this season, allowing two runs on three hits in four innings of a 13-6 loss on May 23. Overall, Greene is 4-1 with a 4.10 ERA in eight career meetings (all starts) against the Cubs.
Cincinnati won the decisive contest of the three-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday to keep within earshot of the final wild-card spot in the NL. The Reds are two games behind the New York Mets for the final postseason berth.
Spencer Steer hit a three-run homer and two-run single to drive in a career-high five runs in Cincinnati's 6-2 victory over St. Louis on Wednesday. After the game, Steer said he isn't too concerned about the fortunes of other teams down the stretch -- only his own.
"We have to handle our own business. If we get help, great," Steer told the Cincinnati Enquirer. " ... We have an opportunity in front of us, playing Chicago at home for four (games)."
The Cubs have yet to announce their starting pitcher for Thursday's game.
--Field Level Media
