The Chicago Cubs made a postseason appearance during the 2026 playoffs, but they fell flat on their faces before even reaching October. From being one of the hottest teams in baseball throughout the summer, to having the number one offense in the game, a different team showed up in San Diego.
It's no secret that the Cubs dealt with an immense amount of pitching injuries this season. The bullpen seemed like a revolving door, yet the Cubs managed to stay on top for a good chunk of time before the Brewers stepped in as the best team in baseball, a mantle they didn't relinquish once they acquired it.
The long ball ended Game 1 before it started
Matthew Boyd took the mound for the first Wild Card game, a decision that largely made sense, given that Boyd had pitched 126 innings this season and had put together a 10-5 decision record and a 3.91 ERA. It didn't take long for one of the biggest problems the Cubs faced all season to surface. Fernando Tatis Jr homered off of a first pitch changeup, and Manny Machado followed with a homer of his own just two batters later.
It didn't stop there.
In the third inning, Boyd walked Tatis Jr, who then scored when Machado doubled to center. The fourth inning came, and with it, a Xander Bogaerts home run. Boyd left the game after four innings pitched, four earned runs, and four strikeouts.
Through the regular season, the Cubs consistently had a problem with home runs, giving up 231. Only the Athletics gave up more long balls through the regular season, allowing 247. It was a real thorn in the side of the Cubs as they attempted to catch the Brewers, but their inconsistent offense was just as much of a problem.
The Cubs boasted one of the best offenses in baseball during the regular season. Nobody scored more runs or hit RBIs than the Cubs, they finished third in home runs, and they had a better slugging percentage and OPS than anyone. But they were unpredictable at times, holding two separate ten-game win streaks, and also a ten-game losing streak.
The Cubs entered into Game 2 against the Padres in a pretty dire situation. Game 1 had shown their inability to produce on offense, and even Pete Crow-Armstrong looked off. With Game 2 an elimination game, the Cubs needed to produce or go home.
They went home.
Game 2 offered no rescue
Kevin Gausman took the mound for the Cubs in Game 2, and while he didn't give up a home run until the fourth inning, it was the nail in the coffin for the Cubs. The Cubs managed to score their only run of the 2026 postseason in the top of the fourth inning, but the long ball again took away any chance for Chicago to win.
The Cubs had several opportunities to score, but they failed every time.
This is a familiar spot for Cubs fans. Unfortunately, since the Cubs won the World Series back in 2016, the fringe of the postseason is where the Cubs have mostly lived for the last decade. Various teams have made it to the Divisional series, and the 2017 squad made it to the Champion series, but there's always been another barrier in the way.
Now, with the season officially come to a close, the Cubs must regroup and figure out exactly what they can do to take the next step. This team was far too talented to be eliminated in this manner.
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