The Chicago Cubs will not only be in the postseason for the first time since 2020, but they’ll host the National League wild-card series against the San Diego Padres.

The Cubs beat the St. Louis Cardinals 7-3 on Saturday to secure home-field advantage come the playoffs. Meanwhile, the New York Mets blanked the Miami Marlins 5-0 to stay competitive in the race for the final NL wild-card spot.

The Mets (83-78), who entered Saturday tied with the Cincinnati Reds for the last postseason berth, now have a half-game lead over Cincinnati. The Reds (82-78) are playing the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday.

Cubs 7, Cardinals 3October baseball returns to Wrigley Field

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With Saturday’s victory, the Cubs clinched home-field advantage against the Padres in the wild-card round. That matchup becomes even more challenging after the pregame move that placed Cade Horton on the 15-day injured list with a fractured right rib, which puts his entire postseason in jeopardy.

“Cade’s been incredible,” winning pitcher Jameson Taillon said after striking out eight and limiting the Cardinals to one run over six innings. “He picked us up a lot this year when I was down for a while, when Shota (Imanaga) was down for a while. So now it’s our turn to try to pick him up and make sure he can hopefully play a part as we get going into the playoffs.”

The Cubs (91-70) have not hosted a full-capacity crowd for a postseason game since 2018. Their last playoff appearance was a brief one after the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, when they scored one run during two losses to the Marlins. That bleak scene foreshadowed an organizational rebuild.

In trying to secure home-field advantage — and while bracing for a Horton setback — the Cubs rearranged their rotation and moved up Taillon from Sunday’s Game 162. Five days from now, Taillon (11-7, 3.68 ERA) could be starting an elimination game.

“I haven’t been told anything, but I’m definitely going to be prepared for anything,” Taillon said. “I don’t know what the exact role will be, or what will be asked, but I’ll make sure I’m ready for it.” — Patrick Mooney, Cubs beat writer

Mets 5, Marlins 0New York pitching staff in good shape for Sunday

Clay Holmes provided the Mets exactly what they needed and then some with a quality start. Despite appearing in Wednesday’s game, he threw six scoreless innings Saturday. After spending the previous six seasons as a reliever, he made 31 starts, had a 3.53 ERA. But since mid-June, he threw six innings in a game just once (on Aug. 23). Undoubtedly, this was his best moment.

After receiving length from Holmes, manager Carlos Mendoza went to relievers Brooks Raley (13 pitches), Tyler Rogers (11 pitches) and Edwin Díaz (13 pitches) for one inning each. None of them pitched Friday. The Mets don’t have a long list of great pitching options; it was imperative for their go-to arms not to be running on fumes.

It’s unknown yet who the Mets will start Sunday, though David Peterson and Sean Manaea are among the options. The biggest key, however, is that virtually the whole staff is available. — Will Sammon, Mets beat writer

(Photo of Cubs’ Michael Busch celebrating a home run: Geoff Stellfox / Getty Images)