The Chicago Cubs' season ended at the hands of the San Diego Padres in the Wild Card Series.
The Cubs did not win a single game in the Wild Card Series, and for the second straight season, Pete Crow-Armstrong disappeared in the postseason. He went 0-for-7 in two games after posting a .399 OPS in last year's postseason.
"You can look at the scoreboard. You can look at the stat sheet or wherever you get your numbers from, and it is clear to see that I didn't contribute," Crow-Armstrong said after the game, in a video posted by Marquee Sports Network.
Crow-Armstrong is going to win National League MVP, but he was unable to carry his success into the games that mattered the most. Even in a critical stretch of seven games in 10 days against the Milwaukee Brewers while the Cubs were trying to win the division, he was unable to make a huge impact.
That's not to take away from his season, or to say he can't play in big games. However, it's clear that the Cubs are reliant on him in the biggest moments, and when he's not at his best, the team cannot overcome it. It seems like he knows that too.
"I think this team showed a lot of heart and a lot of fight, but I would say, to start, I show up," Crow-Armstrong said after the game when discussing what the team could have done to win. "I show up when it matters, in these games. I think that would help us immediately."
It's unfair for him to wear all the blame, especially when the pitching was as bad as it was. However, as the face of the franchise, he is expected to perform in the biggest moments. Alex Bregman also did not play well in the postseason, but unfortunately, Crow-Armstrong will likely take on most of the blame after not playing well.