Cubs Face Offseason Questions After Wild Card Sweep
Chicago lost home-field advantage late and was swept by San Diego in the Wild Card round. The Cubs scored one run and allowed 12 across two games, with the offense and pitching both struggling. The offseason brings questions despite a strong regular season and high payroll.
Chicago’s 2026 postseason lasted two games. The Cubs surrendered home-field advantage to San Diego late in the regular season, then were outscored 12-1. Matthew Boyd gave up homers to two of his first three batters in Game 1, while Michael King opened with a perfect inning and two strikeouts.
The lineup’s key hitters stalled: Pete Crow-Armstrong and Alex Bregman each went 0-for-8 with four strikeouts; Michael Busch and Dansby Swanson also went hitless. Still, Crow-Armstrong’s breakout, aided by swing changes and a May 30 four-hit, one-homer game against the Cardinals, was a bright spot.
The abrupt finish could temper expectations for Cubs fans and may shape offseason discussion around roster construction and payroll. Players like Crow-Armstrong and Bregman may face added scrutiny, while local businesses tied to game-day traffic could see a quieter October. For the broader sport, another quick playoff exit by a high-spending club may renew debate about how regular-season success translates to short postseason series.