Arizona's Postseason Absence and Offensive Stagnation
The Arizona Diamondbacks finished the 2026 season with an 86-76 record, a performance that ultimately fell short of postseason contention [Reported/Alleged]. While the team remained competitive for much of the year, significant offensive struggles at key positions prevented them from securing a playoff berth. Most notably, the Diamondbacks ranked last in Major League Baseball with a .636 OPS at first base throughout the 2026 campaign [Reported/Alleged]. This lack of production from one of the most critical spots in the lineup contributed heavily to their inability to close out tight games.
The offensive decline was not isolated to a single position but affected several core players. Ketel Marte, Corbin Carroll, and Geraldo Perdomo all experienced relative down years offensively compared to their previous standards [Reported/Alleged]. Despite these individual slumps, the team did see significant success from other areas of the roster. Gabriel Moreno had a career year for the Diamondbacks in 2026, winning a batting title and providing a reliable offensive anchor behind the plate [Reported/Alleged]. Additionally, Nolan Arenado continued to provide power, hitting 30 home runs for the team during the season [Reported/Alleged].
Pitching Acquisitions and Bullpen Paradoxes
Arizona's front office made significant moves in the pitching department, most notably signing Corbin Burnes to a six-year, $210 million deal [Reported/Alleged]. However, the acquisition did not yield immediate results due to health issues. Burnes suffered a shoulder injury during his return from Tommy John surgery, which pushed him out until September 2026 [Reported/Alleged]. This delayed debut limited his impact on the team's late-season push.
The Diamondbacks' bullpen presented a statistical paradox in 2026. While the group posted a 4.07 ERA, they ranked fifth in baseball by Win Probability Added [Reported/Alleged]. The unit finished the season with five leverage arms under a 3.00 ERA, demonstrating an ability to perform in high-leverage situations despite the inflated earned run average [Reported/Alleged]. Key contributors to this efficiency included Justin Martinez, Juan Morillo, and Brandyn Garcia, who all performed well in relief roles during the year [Reported/Alleged].
Looking ahead to 2027, the Diamondbacks face uncertainty in their bullpen composition. Michael Soroka is likely to enter free agency after the 2026 season [Reported/Alleged]. Furthermore, Kevin Ginkel, Jonathan Loaisiga, and Ryan Thompson are not expected to return to the Diamondbacks for 2027 [Reported/Alleged]. These departures will require the front office to address relief pitching needs in the upcoming offseason.
Chicago's Wild Card Run and Defensive Dominance
In contrast to Arizona's miss, the Chicago Cubs secured the 2nd Wild Card spot with 89 wins in 2026 [Reported/Alleged]. The team's path to the playoffs was marked by strong starts and sustained momentum. Following two separate 10-game winning streaks to start the season, the Cubs held a 27-12 record on May 8, 2026 [Reported/Alleged]. They maintained this pace with a 35-16 stretch from June 11 to August 12, 2026, which improved their record to 70-50 and solidified their standing in the playoff race [Reported/Alleged].
The Cubs' success was largely driven by elite defense. The team led the league in defensive runs saved and outs above average in 2026 [Reported/Alleged]. This defensive prowess was complemented by a standout season from Pete Crow-Armstrong, who delivered an MVP-caliber performance for Chicago [Reported/Alleged].
Home Run Vulnerability Plagues Cubs Pitching
Despite their defensive excellence and offensive contributions, the Cubs' pitching staff struggled significantly with home run prevention. The team allowed 231 home runs in 2026, the most in the National League [Reported/Alleged]. This vulnerability was evident across both the starting rotation and the bullpen.
Among the starters, Shota Imanaga was tied for second among Cubs pitchers in home runs allowed with 35 [Reported/Alleged]. Jameson Taillon also struggled, allowing 25 of his 27 home runs while in a Cubs uniform during the 2026 season [Reported/Alleged]. Kevin Gausman was not immune to the issue, giving up 11 of his 26 home runs with the Cubs in 2026 [Reported/Alleged].
The bullpen also contributed to the high home run total. The group ranked 25th in home runs allowed in 2026, with Caleb Thielbar and Jacob Webb each allowing double-digit long balls [Reported/Alleged]. Complicating matters further, Daniel Palencia was hurt and ineffective, which forced Jacob Webb into the closer role for the Cubs in 2026 [Reported/Alleged]. Webb's transition to the closer position came amidst a season where preventing extra-base hits was already a major challenge for the team.
Alex D'Agostino is the Publisher and credentialed reporter for Arizona Diamondbacks On SI [Stated].