Chicago Cubs Edge Atlanta Braves 3-2 as Carson Kelly Homers Off Chris Sale – Series Win Secures NL Wild Card Lead

Wednesday, September 10th, 2025

Chicago Cubs Edge Atlanta Braves 3-2 to Win Series

The Chicago Cubs secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory over the Atlanta Braves on September 10, 2025, clinching the series and maintaining their grip on the National League wild-card race. The matchup saw early offensive sparks and a gritty bullpen performance as the Cubs outlasted the Braves in Atlanta.

Early Offense Powers Cubs

Carson Kelly ignited the Cubs' offense in the fourth inning with a solo home run, quickly followed by an RBI double from Justin Turner that brought in another run. The Cubs extended their lead to 3-1 in the fifth inning, capitalizing on a leadoff single by Nico Hoerner and a critical error by Braves starter Chris Sale. Hoerner advanced to third base and scored on a sacrifice fly from Seiya Suzuki.

Nico Hoerner Shines

Nico Hoerner played a pivotal role for Chicago, going 3-for-4 at the plate and crossing home for the Cubs' final run. His performance helped boost the team's record over their last ten games, keeping them atop the National League wild-card standings.

Pitching Highlights

Cubs starter Jameson Taillon returned from the 15-day injured list and delivered 4 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on six hits while striking out two. Taylor Rogers entered in relief to claim the victory, retiring the next four batters. Andrew Kittredge sealed the win with a scoreless ninth inning, earning his third save of the season.

For Atlanta, Chris Sale struck out nine batters over five innings but allowed three runs on seven hits. The three-run fifth marked the first time since May 11 that Sale surrendered more than a single earned run in a game.

Key Moment

The fifth inning proved decisive when Hoerner's single, paired with a throwing error by Sale and a stolen base, set the stage for Suzuki's sacrifice fly. That run gave the Cubs the margin they needed to secure the win.

Key Stat

With a 65-81 record and only 16 games remaining, the Braves are assured of their first non-winning season since 2017.

Up Next

Both teams have a rest day on Thursday. The Cubs will head back to Chicago to take on the Tampa Bay Rays, with Matthew Boyd (12-8, 2.92 ERA) scheduled to start on Friday. The Braves stay in Atlanta and will face the Houston Astros, sending rookie Hurston Waldrep (4-0, 1.33 ERA) to the mound for his next start.

In summary

The Chicago Cubs continued their postseason push with a 3-2 road win over the Atlanta Braves, powered by home runs, clutch hitting, and solid relief pitching. The victory secures their series triumph and keeps them leading the National League wild-card race, while the Braves face their first non-winning campaign since 2017. Strong performances from Nico Hoerner and a dependable bullpen were key to the Cubs’ success as both squads prepare for their upcoming series.

MLB Schedules

Today's MLB Games

There are no baseball games today.

Tomorrow's MLB Games

There are no baseball games tomorrow.

Yesterday's MLB Games

There were no baseball games yesterday.