Former Cubs catcher says Coghlan slide 'playoff-like'

(Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

Thursday night, the Cubs traveled to play the Pittsburgh Pirates. With playoff baseball approaching, the players from both teams were playing with a little more desperation and going all out on plays. Cubs outfielder Chris Coglhan was aware of the position his team is in just a few games behind the Pirates for the first NL wildcard spot and coveted home field advantage.

But his slide into Pittsburgh’s Jung Ho Kang was seen by many as a dirty play that left one of Pittsburgh’s best players with a season-ending injury.

However, former Cubs catcher John Baker says it was a “risky play” but it had no intent to harm.

Kang was hitting .287, with 15 homers and 58 RBIs this season.

The 9-6 victory Thursday for the Cubs has the team just two games behind the Pirates. If the teams end up tied at the end of the regular season, Chicago would have home-field advantage, having won the season series with 10 wins in 16 games.