On a milestone afternoon for Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cubs earned second straight playoffs trip

On an important day for Pete Crow-Armstrong, the Chicago Cubs secured their second consecutive appearance in the playoffs. The milestone came during Thursday's 2-1 victory over the Miami Marlins, marking the team's 40-40 record. Cubs outfielder Ian Happ remarked on the team's resilience, acknowledging the challenges they've faced.

Crow-Armstrong, a leading contender for the NL MVP award, stole his 40th base, becoming the seventh player to achieve both 40 homers and 40 steals in a season. He joined a select group, including Shohei Ohtani and Ronald Acuña Jr., with this achievement. Jose Canseco holds the record for accomplishing this feat with the 1988 Oakland Athletics.

Crow-Armstrong hit his 45th home run during Sunday's 9-1 win against the Cincinnati Reds, surpassing his career high. The 24-year-old drew a leadoff walk and swiped second base on the subsequent pitch, securing his 40th steal in 47 attempts. Fans chanted "MVP" as the Wrigley Field video board celebrated his milestone. Crow-Armstrong expressed his gratitude, stating it was a moment of emotion he'd never experienced before.

Chicago's performance from April 14 to May 8 was impressive, but they followed up with a 2-14 stretch. Manager Craig Counsell noted that while it hasn't been smooth, the team has developed resilience to overcome difficulties. Seiya Suzuki contributed with a homer for the Cubs, who secured one of the NL's three wild card berths. This marks the Cubs' first consecutive postseason appearances since 2015-18, their last championship-winning streak.

The Cubs clinched their postseason spot shortly after the White Sox secured theirs with a 9-1 victory against the Kansas City Royals. Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson emphasized the city's deserving recognition for the team's accomplishments.