Chicago Cubs Moved Closer to Postseason Berth
The Cubs defeated the Cincinnati Reds 9-1 to reduce their playoff magic number to one.
Updated on Sept. 20, 2026 in Baseball
Live Poll
Does your local team's performance significantly change your interest in the community's events?
The Chicago Cubs secured a 9-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds, moving the team to an 87-69 record. With the win, the Cubs have reduced their postseason magic number to one.
Why it matters
The team is now on the brink of clinching a postseason spot, which could be finalized if the Diamondbacks lose to the Yankees. This late-season performance is critical for determining the final playoff picture for the organization.
Pete Crow-Armstrong recorded his 45th home run of the season, while teammates Seiya Suzuki and Michael Conforto added their 25th and 15th home runs, respectively. JJ Bleday hit his 23rd home run for the Cincinnati Reds during the 9-1 loss.
The players
Pete Crow-Armstrong
He is a professional baseball player for the Chicago Cubs who hit his 45th home run of the season in this game.
Seiya Suzuki
He is a professional baseball player for the Chicago Cubs who reached his 25th home run of the season.
Alex Bregman
He is a professional baseball player who left the game in the fourth inning after being struck by a foul ball.
Michael Conforto
He is a professional baseball player for the Chicago Cubs who recorded his 15th home run of the season.
JJ Bleday
He is a professional baseball player for the Cincinnati Reds who hit his 23rd home run of the season.
The details
The Chicago Cubs offense surged with a three-run third inning following an Ian Happ single and a Nico Hoerner walk. Pedro Ramirez later extended the lead to 5-0 with a two-run single, while Alex Bregman was forced to leave the game in the fourth inning after being struck by a foul ball.
Timeline
September 20, 2026: The Chicago Cubs defeated the Cincinnati Reds.
September 22, 2026: The Cubs are scheduled to play their series opener against the Marlins.
Season Trajectory
This win positions the Chicago Cubs to potentially lock in a playoff spot, significantly impacting the final wild-card race standings. The result forces other contending teams to win out to maintain their own postseason hopes as the regular season reaches its conclusion.
With a magic number of one, the Chicago Cubs now only require one more win or one Diamondbacks loss to guarantee their advancement to the postseason. The team's 87-69 record confirms their status as a major threat heading into the final series of the regular season.
The takeaway
The Chicago Cubs are demonstrating significant offensive depth with multiple players hitting high home run totals during this stretch. Fans should monitor the outcome of the Diamondbacks series, as it will determine the official start of the Cubs postseason run.
Further reading
For more updates on the team's push for the playoffs, visit Baseball.
Live Poll
Does your local team's performance significantly change your interest in the community's events?
