The Chicago Cubs delivered a major statement in the National League Wild Card race Wednesday night, overpowering the Atlanta Braves 8-4 at Wrigley Field behind a spectacular performance from Pete Crow-Armstrong and another strong outing from Shota Imanaga. Crow-Armstrong launched two home runs, added a triple and drove in two runs, while Imanaga held Atlanta to one run over six innings as Chicago strengthened its position in the increasingly important postseason race.
The victory moved Chicago to 85-68, keeping the Cubs a half-game ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies for the top National League Wild Card position. Atlanta, meanwhile, dropped to 89-64 and lost for the third time in its last four games. The Braves had entered the night with an opportunity to clinch a playoff berth with a victory combined with favorable results elsewhere, but Chicago’s offensive explosion prevented that from happening.
Crow-Armstrong continues his remarkable season
Crow-Armstrong was the centerpiece of Chicago’s offensive attack. The 23-year-old center fielder blasted his 43rd home run in the third inning, sending a solo shot to right field. That homer gave him the Cubs’ single-season record for home runs by a left-handed hitter, surpassing Billy Williams’ previous mark of 43 set in 1970.
He was not finished.
Crow-Armstrong opened the seventh inning by launching another solo homer, this time a 394-foot drive to center field. It was his 44th homer of the season and his 13th career multi-home-run game, as well as his seventh two-homer performance of the 2026 season.
The two homers also moved Crow-Armstrong to within one of Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber for the MLB home-run lead. That has added another fascinating layer to what has already become a breakout season for the young Cubs star.
Crow-Armstrong’s impact went beyond his power. In the fifth inning, he ripped an RBI triple to right field, bringing Carson Kelly home and extending Chicago’s lead. He ultimately finished the night with three hits, including two home runs and a triple, while scoring multiple times in the Cubs’ 12-hit attack.
Imanaga gives Cubs exactly what they needed
While Crow-Armstrong supplied the fireworks, Imanaga provided the stability.
The left-hander entered the game needing a strong performance, and he delivered one of his better outings of the season. After giving up three hits during the first two innings, Imanaga settled down and retired 11 consecutive Braves hitters.
Ronald Acuña Jr. eventually broke that streak with a double in the sixth inning and later scored, but Imanaga avoided further trouble. He finished with six innings, four hits allowed, one earned run, eight strikeouts and no walks, improving his record to 11-10.
The performance was particularly important because it marked Imanaga’s third consecutive victory, the first time he has accomplished that during the 2026 season. His ability to work deep into the game also helped Chicago preserve its bullpen during a critical portion of the schedule.
Bregman adds another huge offensive performance
Crow-Armstrong wasn’t the only Cubs hitter who made a major impact.
Alex Bregman put together one of his most productive games of the season, going 3-for-4 with a home run, triple, double and four RBIs. His production gave the Cubs a second major offensive weapon and helped turn what initially looked like a competitive game into a comfortable Chicago victory.
Bregman opened the scoring in the first inning with a double that brought Michael Busch home. He then launched his 26th home run of the season in the fourth inning.
The Cubs broke the game open in the fifth. Crow-Armstrong’s RBI triple made it 4-0 before Bregman followed with a triple that brought home Crow-Armstrong and Seiya Suzuki. Chicago suddenly had a 6-0 advantage, putting Atlanta in a difficult position against an Imanaga-led pitching staff.
The Braves eventually scored in the sixth and seventh innings, but Crow-Armstrong’s second homer restored the Cubs’ momentum. Chicago added another run in the eighth to maintain a comfortable advantage before Atlanta scored twice in the ninth.
Braves unable to capitalize
Atlanta’s offense produced eight hits but struggled to generate enough damage against Imanaga. Acuña doubled and scored, while Mauricio Dubón contributed two hits and an RBI. The Braves also received late production from their lineup, but by then Chicago had already built too large a lead.
The bigger problem came from Atlanta’s pitching.
J.R. Ritchie, making his first major-league appearance since Aug. 2, struggled to contain Chicago’s lineup. He surrendered six runs on seven hits over 4⅔ innings, with five strikeouts and two walks, taking his record to 1-3.
The Braves therefore missed an opportunity to secure a postseason berth, while the Cubs gained another important victory against a team already positioned near the top of the National League.
Cubs remain in a critical Wild Card position
The significance of the victory goes beyond one game.
Chicago is fighting to maintain its position at the top of the NL Wild Card standings, and Wednesday’s victory kept the Cubs half a game ahead of Philadelphia. With the regular season approaching its conclusion, every victory becomes increasingly valuable because the difference between hosting a Wild Card game and entering October in a less favorable position could come down to only a few games.
The Cubs also received encouraging news about Dansby Swanson. The veteran shortstop, who has been sidelined since Aug. 16 with a left oblique strain, took six at-bats in a simulated game Wednesday. Manager Craig Counsell said Swanson remains on schedule to return Friday.
His potential return could give Chicago another important boost as the club heads into the final stretch.
What comes next
Both teams have Thursday off before beginning their next series.
Atlanta will travel to Houston for a three-game series beginning Friday, while Chicago heads to Cincinnati for a three-game set against the Reds. The Braves will be looking to quickly rebound after losing three of their last four games, while the Cubs will attempt to protect their narrow advantage over Philadelphia in the NL Wild Card race.
For Chicago, though, the biggest takeaway from Wednesday night was the continued emergence of Crow-Armstrong. Two home runs, a triple and a new Cubs record provided another reminder of how dangerous the young outfielder has become at exactly the time the Cubs need him most.
With 44 home runs, Crow-Armstrong is now only one behind Schwarber for the major-league home-run lead. Combined with Imanaga’s six strong innings and Bregman’s four-RBI performance, the Cubs produced the kind of complete game that can become particularly valuable during a postseason push.
The 8-4 victory over Atlanta therefore served two purposes for Chicago: it strengthened the Cubs’ Wild Card position and showcased the offensive firepower and pitching stability they will need as the race for October intensifies.
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