{
  "id": 12193594,
  "title": "The most painful part of the early Cubs playoff exit",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/the-most-painful-part-of-the-early-cubs-playoff-exit",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-05T17:01:47.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/most-painful-part-early-cubs-170147202.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The most painful aspect of the early Chicago Cubs playoff exit was not just the loss itself, but the realization that they had wasted one of the greatest seasons in MLB history. In 2026, outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong became only the seventh player to join the exclusive 40-40 club, hitting 40 home runs and driving in 40 runs. He also posted a 10.6 fWAR, ranking among the top 35 position player seasons in baseball history. The Cubs' center fielder was the game's best defender and the second-best offensive player, as stated by Jed Hoyer, the club's president. Crow-Armstrong's performance was simply incredible, solidifying him as a frontrunner for MVP, Hank Aaron Award, and Platinum Glove. Yet, despite his stellar season, the Cubs managed to score just one run in the Wild Card Series against the Padres, ultimately falling short. The reality of this disappointment is further compounded by the fact that the Cubs had come into the season with lofty goals, aiming to win the NL Central and even contend for a World Series championship, a dream they had been chasing for 10 years after their 2016 victory.",
  "summary": "In the wake of another Cubs playoff exit, we examine the painful part that will linger long after everything else.",
  "key_points": [
    "Pete Crow-Armstrong joins 40-40 club with 40 homers and 40 RBIs",
    "Cubs scored only one run in Wild Card Series against Padres",
    "Cubs aimed for NL Central title and World Series contention"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}