In the Playoffs by Default - With a Giants loss, Cubs are back in the playoffs for first time since 2008

It  took some help from the Oakland Athletics late Friday night, but the Chicago Cubs received their first National League playoff berth since 2008.

Despite a 3-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday at Wrigley Field, the Cubs (89-64) backed into the playoffs by virtue of the Athletics’ 5-4 victory over the Giants (79-74) at the Oakland Coliseum.

The Cubs are assured no worse than playing in the NL wild-card game on Oct. 7 – with the Pirates (94-60) being their likely opponent. The wild card game will be played at PNC Park as long as the Pirates finish ahead of the Cubs.

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