Chicago Cubs clinch the playoffs after missing in 2019

The Chicago Cubs have clinched the playoffs after missing them in 2019. After a few frustrating years, can the Cubs do what they did in 2016?

The Chicago Cubs have clinched the playoffs for the first time since 2019. Yes, it has only been one-year, but that one-year missing cost Joe Maddon his job. They technically made the playoffs in 2018, but they lost the wildcard game to the Rockies.

The Cubs struggled a lot in 2019. Their struggles weren’t as much at-bat as they were in the bullpen. There were too many games where Chicago had a lead going into the last three-innings and they’d lose the game. They deserved to miss the playoffs last season.

In 2020, fans saw some of the same struggles, but, they weren’t as bad. This team was good enough to clinch a playoff spot. The Cubs also have a 3.5-game lead in the division going into the final six games of the season. It’s safe to say they’ll end up winning the division – but they’ve struggled against the White Sox this season, who they play their final three-games against.

Fans owe a big thanks to the Phillies for sweeping the Nationals on Tuesday’s doubleheader, giving Chicago a playoff berth. So, even though the Cubs lost 3-2 to the Pirates, they got a big win as the Phillies helped them clinch the playoffs.

In 2017, the Cubs went to the NLCS, losing to the World Series Losers, LA Dodgers. In 2018, the Cubs lost the wildcard game against the Rockies.

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They should have never been in a wildcard game. The Cubs lost the divisional tiebreaker game against the Brewers by a dumb rule in the MLB rulebook. The rule of the tiebreaker is just one-games if teams have the same record. It has nothing to do with a head-to-head record. If they went by head-to-head records, the Cubs would have won the division and not have to face the Rockies in a wildcard game.

In 2019, the Cubs missed the playoffs entirely. It’s been a rough few years for the Cubs after winning the World Series. Since their first World Series in 108-years, the Cubs are 1-4 in playoff series, (including the wildcard game).

In 2020, the team has a new manager in David Ross. They’ve played much better baseball than they did last season, where they missed the playoffs. It’ll be interesting to see what they can do after 60-games.

The biggest thing this team needs is their star players to play like star players when they’re up to bat. They’ve played well defensively this season, but they’ve struggled to hit the ball in too many games. They cannot do that going into the playoffs.

Tonight, the Cubs play the Pirates again. With 6-games left in the season, they’re just a few wins away from clinching the division, as they have a 3.5-game lead on the Cardinals. It’ll be interesting to see what happens, but all I know is, we have playoff baseball in Chicago again (kinda)!