Cubs don’t get close to meeting championship expectations as season ends in two-game playoff sweep vs. Padres

The Chicago Cubs were eliminated from the postseason after suffering a 4-1 defeat to the San Diego Padres, completing a two-game sweep. Despite entering the playoffs as the regular season's highest-scoring offense, Chicago managed only five hits in Wednesday's loss following a three-hit shutout in Game 1. Starting pitcher Kevin Gausman surrendered two runs across 3⅓ innings before reliever Daniel Palencia allowed a crucial two-run homer to pinch-hitter Gavin Sheets.

The early exit concluded a disappointing finish for the Cubs, who scored just 16 total runs over their final eight games in 2026. Key hitters Pete Crow-Armstrong and Alex Bregman went a combined 0-for-15 with eight strikeouts across the two games. The loss marked a step backward from 2025, with Chicago finishing 14 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers in the division before their swift postseason sweep.