The Chicago Cubs faced off against the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday in dire need of a victory to extend their lead for the final National League Wild Card spot. Unfortunately, they were not able to come away with the win after an extremely costly error ended up costing them the game, and potentially their postseason chances.
Chicago came into Tuesday’s game with a one-game lead over the Miami Marlins for the final Wild Card spot. And that lead grew even shorter due to a bone-headed mistake from right fielder Seiya Suzuki.
The Cubs went into the bottom of the eighth inning of Tuesday’s game with a 6-5 lead. They should have gotten out of the inning with the lead, but Suzuki had a routine fly ball with two outs hit off his glove. Two Braves runners scored on the play, giving them the lead that they would not relinquish.
The Braves defeat the Cubs 7-6 thanks to this costly error by Cubs right fielder Seiya Suzuki.
The Cubs now hold just a half-game lead over the Miami Marlins for the final NL Wild Card spot…😬pic.twitter.com/4MzD9ZGyJQ— The Comeback (@thecomeback) September 27, 2023
Every game is extremely meaningful for the Cubs at this point in the season. For Suzuki to not come away with this catch to end the inning is truly unforgivable. And fans let him hear their frustrations on social media after the game.
The year was 1998. I was 9 years old. The Cubs were fighting for a Wild Card, and I’ll never forget this botched ball by Brant Brown.
Seiya Suzuki made me re-live my youth. pic.twitter.com/xF7bl3BxjH
— Ryan (@downsr30) September 27, 2023
Cubs broadcast reacts to Seiya Suzuki missing the ball: pic.twitter.com/ms5I9Bp5U8
— MLB Clutch Moments And Walk Offs (@MLBWalk_Offs) September 27, 2023
In another timeline, Pete Crow-Armstrong isn't taken out of the game for asinine reasons, and he streaks over and catches that one easily.
Instead, we're going to live in the one where poor Seiya Suzuki is going to have that terrible error to his name forever.
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) September 27, 2023
Seiya Suzuki just lived every outfielder’s nightmare before our very eyes.
Unreal way to take the lead, but with the magic number for the NL’s top seed, the #Braves will take it.
— Cory McCartney (@coryjmccartney) September 27, 2023
Just unbelievable miscue by Seiya Suzuki pic.twitter.com/HdmZU6Av1Q
— Herb Lawrence (@Ecnerwal23) September 27, 2023
Jim Deshaies: "Oh my goodness." = 2023 version of Ron Santo's call of '98 Brant Brown in Milwaukee.@Cubs #GoCubsGo #SeiyaSuzuki pic.twitter.com/qYxKnQxUAh
— Billy Krumb (@ClubhouseCancer) September 27, 2023
It’s obviously easy to say in hindsight that this loss is solely due to Suzuki’s mistake. And while that is partly true, the Cubs had plenty of opportunities to win this game.
The Cubs had a 6-0 lead through five innings in this game. Had their bullpen performed better, Suzuki would have never even been in this situation.
Regardless, it is a backbreaking loss for the Cubs in a game that they undoubtedly should have won. They now hold just a 0.5-game lead over the Miami Marlins for the final NL Wild Card spot.
If they do ultimately miss the postseason, this will certainly be the game Cubs fans point to as a huge reason why.
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.