Updated 2025 MLB Playoff Bracket, Standings After Cubs Clinch Playoff Spot

The Chicago Cubs are returning to the playoffs for the first time since the 2020 season.

Chicago clinched its postseason spot with an 8-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday.

The playoffs were the expectations for this Cubs team coming into the 2025 campaign considering it finished above .500 in 2023 and again 2024. Taking the next step, especially in manager Craig Counsell's second season at the helm, was a reasonable ask, and Chicago delivered.

Here is a look at where the National League Central team fits into the current bracket and league standings after clinching a postseason spot:

National League

1. Milwaukee Brewers, 92-59 (NL Central leaders)*
2. Philadelphia Phillies, 91-61 (clinched NL East)*
3. Los Angeles Dodgers, 84-67 (NL West leaders)
4. Chicago Cubs, 87-64 (top NL wild-card team)*
5. San Diego Padres, 82-69 (second NL wild-card team)
6. New York Mets, 78-73 (third NL wild-card team)

American League

1. Toronto Blue Jays, 89-62 (AL East leaders)
2. Detroit Tigers, 85-66 (AL Central leaders)
3. Seattle Mariners, 83-68 (AL West leaders)
4. New York Yankees, 84-67 (top AL wild-card team)
5. Houston Astros, 83-69 (second AL wild-card team)
6. Boston Red Sox, 82-69 (third AL wild-card team)

*Denotes clinched playoff spot

The Cubs made a splash before the season even started when they traded for Houston Astros star Kyle Tucker. It was a calculated risk because the 2025 campaign was the final one on Tucker's contract, but the payout at least resulted in his fourth career All-Star Game and a playoff spot.

While Tucker has gone through some slumps in the season's second half, he is part of a strong lineup that also features fellow All-Star Pete Crow-Armstrong, the powerful Seiya Suzuki, Michael Busch and Nico Hoerner.

The lineup has dealt with inconsistency at times in the season's second half, but its overall importance has been clear since early in the year, thanks to injuries in the Cubs' starting rotation.

Justin Steele was lost for the year after just four starts, while Shota Imanaga and Jameson Taillon have also missed time. The Steele loss was particularly difficult because it left the rotation with a massive gap to be filled for the majority of the season.

National League Rookie of the Year candidate Cade Horton has helped fill that gap, as has offseason addition Matthew Boyd. Boyd was a first-time All-Star this season, while Horton has helped anchor the rotation down the stretch even after Imanaga returned.

Bullpen pitchers such as Daniel Palencia and Brad Keller have also been largely excellent for the Cubs, who have been in playoff position for much of the season even though they have been chasing the red-hot Milwaukee Brewers in the division.

Perhaps they will have a shot to defeat Milwaukee in the playoffs, though, after clinching this postseason spot.