CHICAGO (WLS) — It was the calm before the storm Monday afternoon in Wrigleyville, as playoff baseball is set to return to the neighborhood for the first time in five years.

The neighborhood is getting ready.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

“The energy is super high, and everyone seems to be really positive and confident that we’re going to sweep this series,” said Cubs fan Hannah Webb.

They are hanging postseason banners outside Rizzo’s sports bar. It’s been a while since the Cubs were in the playoffs, and fans are excited.

“Anyone that gets in has a shot. I really like our lineup. We’re solid,” Cubs fan Hector Velez said.

The playoffs are a nice bonus for Wrigleyville businesses after the end of the regular season Sunday.

The bars and restaurants are guaranteed at least two more home games against the San Diego Padres. Like many businesses, Rizzo’s is closed Monday, so they can get ready for big crowds expected the next couple days. And they will be sell-out crowds.

“My guy, PCA, love PCA. He’s always there making plays, and Seiya’s got a big little home run streak going on. (Jogger: Let’s go baby!) There we go. Everybody’s excited,” said Cubs fan Kevin Connors.

At Sluggers Bar and Grill, they’ll be ready with extra staffing and security.

“It’s like the icing on that cake,” said Sluggers Co-Owner Zach Strauss. “Just puts a little more dough in our bank account and makes January, February, and March a lot easier.”

And they’re collaborating with other business owners on a neighborhood safety plan.

“Keep the place at our occupancy, and make sure safety first and that everyone is having a good time,” Strauss said.

The Cubs will host the best-of-three series.

“Having postseason baseball, October baseball, is just something magical,” said Sam Kuebler, with Rizzo’s.

The ballpark is getting spiffed up and ready to host the Wild Card games this week, and, if Cubs fans have their way and the team keeps winning, several more games over the next couple weeks.

“The stores are busy getting ready for it. You could just feel that it’s on the edge, and tomorrow, it’s going to be just crazy down here,” said Cubs fan Beth Ryan.

Bree Delio designed a Cubs cap specifically for the postseason. Like many fans, she is hoping for a long playoff run.

“This year, I designed this one with Chicago on the back, anything for the Cubs in the playoffs,” Delio said.

City officials are ready for the onslaught of fans expected for the games this week. As always, they say, safety and security will be a major focus. But, there may be a few improvements since the last time the Cubs were in the playoffs.

“These are the biggest change, these archer barricades. This really helps our officers secure the footprint around the ballpark,” 44th Ward Alderman Bennet Lawson said.

Actually, when the Cubs last were in the playoffs in 2020, no fans were allowed to be in the park because of the pandemic.

They missed nothing, however. The Miami Marlins beat the Cubs.

Fans are hoping for a much better result this year.

“We got some guys starting to hit their stride right now. So hopefully they can carry that into the postseason,” fan Collier Turner said.

“It’s good for Chicago, good for the fans, good for the businesses,” fan Bill Bjork said.

The Cubs, Wrigleyville business owners and city officials met Monday afternoon to prepare for playoff baseball.

“This is something we do really well here. We have largescale events at Wrigley, Pride, the marathon,” Lawson said.

Tickets were available on the secondary market for the first game Tuesday, ranging from about $600 to under $100 for standing room

Watch the first two Wild Card games on ABC7 Chicago Tuesday and Wednesday.