The Windup Newsletter ⚾ | This is The Athletic’s MLB newsletter. Sign up here to receive The Windup directly in your inbox. The Cubs are in! Plus: Ken has notes on the futures of the Cardinals and Kyle Schwarber, we give you the latest playoff picture, and introduce you to a player whose big-league career lasted for just one pitch. I’m Levi Weaver, here with Ken Rosenthal. Welcome to The Windup!

Half of the NL playoff spots have been claimed: Brewers, Phillies and now the Cubs, whose 8-4 win yesterday over the Pirates clinched Chicago’s first playoff berth since 2020. It’s hard to...

See Full Page