Wrigley Field Shakeup: Cubs Officially Win NL No. 1 Wild Card, About to Blast Back After 6 Years of Waiting

For six long years, Wrigley Field has sat quietly in October, serving only as a nostalgic reminder of a golden era when the Chicago Cubs were the team that could break curses, rally a city, and fill a century-old ballpark with thunderous belief. But now, the wait is over. The Chicago Cubs have clinched the National League’s No. 1 Wild Card spot, officially punching their ticket to the postseason and reigniting a fire in the hearts of fans from the North Side to every corner of the baseball world.

This is not just another playoff berth. This is a resurrection.

A Six-Year Drought Ends

The last time the Cubs graced the postseason stage at Wrigley Field was in 2018. Back then, hopes were still riding high on the core of Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, Javier Báez, and Jon Lester. That group had delivered the historic 2016 World Series championship, breaking a 108-year drought and changing the way Cubs fans talked about hope and heartbreak.

But after 2018, the Cubs’ playoff magic fizzled. A series of roster shakeups, rebuilding cycles, and managerial shifts left Chicago longing for October nights that once felt inevitable. Each season carried whispers of “maybe next year” until those whispers became sighs of resignation.

Now, in 2025, the Cubs have clawed their way back, earning the NL’s top Wild Card slot and reclaiming a chance to shock the baseball world again.

What the No. 1 Wild Card Means

By securing the No. 1 Wild Card, the Cubs gain a critical advantage: home-field edge in the opening round of the postseason. For a team that thrives on the energy of Wrigley Field, this is not just symbolic—it’s strategic.

The ivy-covered walls have long been more than decoration. They’re part of baseball’s most iconic backdrop, a living stage where history echoes with every crack of the bat. Playing October baseball at Wrigley means dealing with swirling winds, rowdy fans, and a crowd that has learned to blend anticipation with defiance. Visiting teams know it well: there is no easy win on Clark and Addison when the stakes are this high.

With that backdrop, the Cubs’ young roster will now carry the weight of a city’s expectations into games where every pitch feels like destiny.

The Players Who Brought the Cubs Back

This resurgence has not been about nostalgia. It’s been about reinvention.

A new generation of Cubs stars has emerged, blending raw energy with the kind of grit fans demand in Chicago sports. Sluggers who can change the game with one swing, pitchers who attack the strike zone with fearless precision, and fielders who play as if every ball hit their way carries the weight of history—these are the athletes who turned doubt into belief.

Much like the 2015 team that set the stage for 2016’s triumph, this Cubs squad carries a fearless, underdog spirit. They’re not just making the postseason; they’re here to prove they belong.

Chicago: A City Ready to Roar

In Chicago, October baseball doesn’t just belong to Wrigley Field. It ripples through neighborhoods, bars, and families. Every tavern on the North Side will be filled with fans dressed in Cubbie blue, every CTA train car buzzing with game-day conversations, every block party echoing the soundtrack of “Go Cubs Go.”

This city has waited patiently for the return of playoff baseball, and it’s not exaggerating to call the upcoming series a civic event. In fact, the buzz is so intense that locals have described the anticipation as “an earthquake waiting to happen”—a sports tremor that shakes not just Wrigleyville but the entire Midwest.

For a generation that grew up watching the Cubs redefine possibility in 2016, these playoffs feel like both a throwback and a fresh beginning.

Lessons from the Past

Cubs fans know better than most that playoff berths are precious. A century of near-misses taught this city to savor the rare October nights at Wrigley Field. The 2016 championship may have changed the narrative, but it also set the bar higher than ever.

The lesson of the last six years is clear: nothing is guaranteed. Playoff windows close faster than expected. Stars move on. Rebuilds take longer than fans want. That’s why this year’s Wild Card triumph feels so significant—it’s proof that the Cubs’ story isn’t just about one magical run. It’s about building a legacy that can withstand the cycles of baseball.

The Road Ahead

The Cubs’ path will not be easy. The Wild Card round itself is unforgiving: a short series where one bad inning can derail months of hard work. Beyond that lies the daunting gauntlet of National League powerhouses waiting in the Division Series and beyond.

But if history has taught us anything, it’s this: the Cubs are at their most dangerous when nobody sees them coming. In 2015, they shocked the league by toppling the mighty Cardinals. In 2016, they weathered impossible odds to bring home the trophy. In 2025, they’ll once again step onto the field with doubters to silence and believers to inspire.

Wrigley’s Magic Factor

At the heart of this moment is Wrigley Field itself. Few stadiums in sports can transform the atmosphere the way the Friendly Confines do in October. The ivy turns darker, the autumn winds shift unpredictably, and the roar of 40,000 fans becomes a force that rattles opponents.

This isn’t just a home-field advantage—it’s a spiritual one. Players have spoken openly about how playoff games at Wrigley feel different, as if the ghosts of generations past lend their voices to every cheer. For Cubs fans, stepping into Wrigley this postseason will feel like stepping back into a dream that had been locked away since 2018.

A Moment Bigger Than Baseball

Yes, this is about wins and losses, about advancing through rounds and chasing a championship. But it’s also about something larger. For Chicago, this Wild Card berth represents resilience. It represents the idea that after years of waiting, disappointment, and rebuilding, joy can come rushing back in a single swing, a single pitch, a single night under the lights at Wrigley Field.

It’s about fathers and daughters sharing scorecards, grandparents telling stories of Santo and Banks, friends huddled together in rooftop seats, and millions watching at home with their hearts in their throats. The Cubs’ return to October is a reminder of why sports matter: they bind communities, spark traditions, and remind us that hope is always just around the corner.

Final Word: The Cubs Are Back

For six years, the faithful fans of the Chicago Cubs have waited for this moment. Now, with the No. 1 Wild Card spot secured, the Cubs are no longer waiting—they’re charging forward.

The postseason is unforgiving, but it’s also magical. And when Wrigley Field hosts playoff baseball again, it won’t just be a game. It will be a celebration, a catharsis, and a declaration that the Cubs are ready to blast back into baseball’s biggest stage.

For Chicago, the heartland, and the countless believers across the country: the wait is over. October is here. And the Cubs are back.