In late September, everything at PNC Park, Pete Crow-Armstrong stepped up to the plate. He swung the ball over the wall for a solo home run, which brought the Chicago Cubs a 4–3 victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The team experienced a much-needed relief as it ended their prolonged period of inconsistent offense. But amid the cheers, a familiar question lingered: can Chicago’s hitters deliver when the postseason pressure hits its peak?

Chicago’s playoff push has been rocky. Crow-Armstrong is hitting just .175 with two homers since August 1, Suzuki is below .200, and veteran Kyle Tucker remains sidelined with a calf injury, leaving the lineup uncertain.

Russell Dorsey, a seasoned MLB insider based in Chicago, highlighted the concern bluntly: “Going into the postseason, you look at what teams are vibing, what teams are playing well, and I look at that offense. For so much of this season, that was the thing that drove them. That was their strength.”

He continued, pointing to the recent slumps, quoting PCA’s stats since August 1, and all the other bullpen issues that we discussed earlier. “I’m concerned about the Cubs because it’s great that they’re in the postseason. He said, Now I’m concerned about how they’re going to be able to score runs once they get there.”

However, PCA’s full-season numbers still show his potential. He scored 29 HR, 90 RBIs, and 35 SB. The Chicago Cubs’ ability to hold the top wildcard position throughout the season proves their strength despite the poor offensive performance after the All-Star break. Dani Wexelman said, “What I have faith in is that the fact that they’ve done it all season long, they kept that top spot. There are the ranks you see since the All-Star break. Yeah, it’s not awesome. You see their almost bottom half, if not all bottom half numbers, but I feel like if you haven’t given that top spot up, then you still have something to play for and something to prove. And it’s not getting hot at the right time.”

The depth of the Cubs’ lineup will be tested as they face teams with more consistent offensive firepower. Young players like Kevin Alcántara could provide valuable support, especially against left-handed pitching, only if the team trusts the young talent. The next series could tell the story, either the Cubs rediscover the offense that carried them all summer, or they head into October looking like a team just happy to be there. For a fan base that has waited since 2020 for playoff baseball, the difference will feel massive.

Ian Happ leads Cubs back to postseason, nine Years after World Series win

Nine years after Chicago ended its 108-year championship drought, the Cubs are back where they believe they belong: October baseball. The Cubs’ win over the Pirates clinched a playoff spot and renewed hope on the North Side. For Ian Happ, one of the few remaining veterans from the 2016 era, it marks a full-circle moment as he’s grown from rookie to clubhouse leader.

That leadership was on display immediately after the clinch. Pete Crow-Armstrong revealed how Happ set the tone for what comes next. “There was definitely a mention of, ‘This is not the last,’” Crow-Armstrong said after the game. “Ian learned from some of the best. Ian is one of the best at passing that on. Ian has meant a lot to me, just as a person. I’ll follow his lead. … I’ve got full trust in Ian Happ as a leader.” Turning a celebration into a challenge, a reminder that the real work starts now.

Happ’s eighth season has been steady: he’s hitting .243 with 23 homers and 73 RBIs, but his value now extends far beyond the box score. With a young core that includes Crow-Armstrong, Dansby Swanson, and Seiya Suzuki, and a rotation anchored by Shota Imanaga and Justin Steele, the Cubs have the pieces to be dangerous. The question is whether they can turn this clinch into momentum heading into a likely Wild Card showdown. If Happ’s words are any indication, this team isn’t planning to be a one-and-done story.