Good morning, Chicago.

The last out fittingly found Ian Happ in left field.

The Cubs’ longest-tenured player became emotional as he caught the fly ball that sealed an 8-4 win Wednesday against the Pirates to clinch a playoff spot. It’s the Cubs’ first postseason berth since the pandemic-shortened 2020 season and first in a full season since 2018.

Happ, the lone player remaining from the 2018 team, homered and drove in three runs. He pumped his fist after he recorded the final out.

“The years, the ups and downs in the beginning of my career and how expected this was, to the last couple years, falling just a little bit short — getting back is a good feeling,” a teary-eyed and champagne-soaked Happ told the Tribune during the postgame celebration. “The biggest thing is we earned this. We deserve this, and the work’s not over.”

The Cubs (88-64) are well-positioned to host a wild-card series beginning Sept. 30 at Wrigley Field. They hold a 5½-game lead over the Padres for the top National League wild-card spot — and No. 4 NL playoff seed — entering the Padres’ game Wednesday night in New York against the Mets.

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