The Chicago Cubs are in the postseason after a total roller coaster of a season, and guess who’s leading the charge? Pete Crow-Armstrong has absolutely exploded, likely securing the NL MVP and arguably being the best player in all of Major League Baseball this season. But forget those regular season fireworks for a second, because MLB.com just dropped the real talk: his biggest test is coming up in this NL Wild Card series against the San Diego Padres.
The MVP Has Arrived, Big Time
After an absolute roller coaster of a season, the Chicago Cubs found their way into the postseason, and frankly, there’s been no bigger storyline than Pete Crow-Armstrong. The guy has been an absolute revelation in 2026. He’s not just had a good season; he’s likely secured the NL MVP, and by all accounts, it’s almost certainly by a very wide margin. We’re talking about a player who has arguably been the single best in all of Major League Baseball this year! PCA has put on a show, leveling up his hitting considerably and proving he’s got what it takes to dominate at the highest level. This isn’t just a standout season; it’s the kind of performance that puts a player on the map forever. He’s proven his greatness time and again in the regular season.
Can He Shake Off That Brutal 2025 Playoff Ghost?
Here’s the rub though, and it’s a big one. All that regular season glory, all those MVP shouts? They mean squat if you can’t deliver when the lights are brightest and the stakes are highest, right? MLB.com was quick to point out his rough go in the 2025 postseason. PCA didn’t do much offensively in his first taste of playoff baseball, going a combined 5-for-27 (.185 average) with a brutal .399 OPS between the Wild Card Series and the NLDS. That kind of production leaves a whole lot to be desired when your team is fighting for its life. Now, sure, he didn’t exactly roll into last year’s playoffs with the same kind of insane, MVP-caliber momentum he’s rocking right now. But that doesn’t change the fundamental truth: those incredible regular-season numbers don’t carry forward. PCA *has* to play better in the postseason. If he falters, this Cubs team could easily be eliminated by the San Diego Padres, and the narrative around his historic MVP season might take an unexpected, frustrating turn.
So, what’s the deal for the Cubs and Pete Crow-Armstrong as they stare down the Padres? It’s simple, but massively important: can he translate that monster regular season into playoff heroics? Can he truly be the superstar the Cubs need when it matters most, silencing any lingering doubts from last year? There’s every reason to believe 2026 will be a different story, a better story, but PCA still has to step onto that field against the Padres and prove that his 2026 success won’t just stay in the regular season. This Wild Card series isn’t just a game; it’s Crow-Armstrong’s moment to prove he’s the real deal under pressure.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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