Chicago, IL, July 25, 2026 —

As the Major League Baseball regular season progresses into its latter stages, the Chicago Cubs are adopting a distinct playoff mentality, viewing each upcoming game as a critical step toward postseason contention. The lingering memory of their previous National League Division Series (NLDS) loss to the Milwaukee Brewers serves as a significant motivator for the team to elevate their performance against formidable opponents and cultivate momentum for a potential October run.

Pitcher Matthew Boyd highlighted the importance of the current stretch of games, even with significant time remaining in July. He emphasized that matchups against other playoff hopefuls, including the Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals, New York Yankees, and Los Angeles Dodgers, represent invaluable opportunities to hone their skills and strategic approach in preparation for the high-stakes environment of postseason baseball.

The team’s focus on these challenging matchups underscores a strategic shift towards simulating playoff intensity during the regular season. By consistently facing and performing against teams expected to contend for a championship, the Cubs aim to build resilience, refine game-day execution, and gain a competitive edge that can be carried into the playoffs. The experience gained from these games is seen as essential for navigating the pressures and demands of a postseason series.


Story summarized from the original created by Vinnie Duber on chicago.suntimes.com, see more information here.

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