The Chicago Cubs could not have asked for a more dramatic way to close out the regular season. On a day when every moment carried extra weight heading into October, Alex Bregman delivered a performance worthy of the spotlight, powering the Cubs to a 6-2 victory over the Boston Red Sox in Tampa and putting the finishing touch on an impressive first season with the club.
Game 162 already had an unusual feel because of its setting. Instead of the familiar surroundings of Wrigley Field, the Cubs finished their regular season away from home, adding another memorable location to a season that had already included unusual stops and special events. But what made Sunday’s game particularly significant was the fact that Chicago entered it with several individual storylines still unresolved. The biggest of them centered on Bregman and Pete Crow-Armstrong, who were separated by only 2.5 points in the final race for the annual Rizzo Award.
Bregman ultimately left no doubt. The veteran third baseman went 4-for-4 with two home runs, a double, a walk, four RBIs and three runs scored, producing one of the most dominant individual performances of the Cubs’ season. His offensive explosion earned him the game’s Superhero designation and pushed him past Crow-Armstrong in the final Rizzo Award standings. Bregman finished with 26 points, edging Crow-Armstrong’s 25.5 and becoming the 10th different player to win the award.
The victory also capped a remarkable turnaround for Bregman. There had been genuine concern only a short time ago that his season — and perhaps his postseason — could be disrupted after he was struck in the face during the final stretch of the campaign. Injuries involving the head and face can create uncertainty that goes beyond the physical recovery, particularly when a player has to regain confidence and timing at the plate. Instead of fading at the worst possible moment, Bregman returned to form and delivered arguably his biggest performance of the season when the Cubs needed it most.
His final regular-season performance also added another chapter to what has become an impressive Cubs season for the veteran infielder. Bregman finished the year among the team’s most important contributors, and Sunday’s performance provided another reminder of why Chicago brought him in. His ability to produce in high-pressure situations gives the Cubs another experienced bat as they prepare for postseason baseball.
Crow-Armstrong, meanwhile, still had an outstanding season despite losing the Rizzo Award on the final day. He entered Game 162 holding a 2.5-point advantage over Bregman, but Bregman’s Superhero performance completely changed the equation. Crow-Armstrong’s overall body of work remains one of the biggest positives from the Cubs’ season. His combination of elite defense, speed and developing power has made him one of the most exciting young players on the roster.
The center fielder’s season has also generated plenty of discussion around his defensive reputation. While some critics have focused on his errors or questioned individual routes to balls, the broader body of evidence points to a player who consistently covers enormous amounts of ground and makes difficult plays look routine. His range and highlight-reel catches have been major parts of Chicago’s defensive identity, and his 2026 campaign has positioned him for significant recognition during the offseason.
Bregman’s performance, however, stole the show on Sunday. The Cubs needed an offensive spark, and he provided virtually everything. His four hits included two home runs and a double, while his walk gave him five times reaching base. He also drove in four of Chicago’s runs and scored three more, creating constant pressure on the Boston pitching staff.
Behind Bregman, Braxton Garrett provided the pitching stability Chicago needed. Garrett worked five innings, allowing four hits, three walks and one earned run while striking out two. It was not the cleanest outing of the season, but it gave manager Craig Counsell the length necessary to navigate the final regular-season game without overextending the bullpen.
Colin Rea then followed with two scoreless innings, allowing no hits or walks while striking out one. His performance earned him the Sidekick designation and helped protect Chicago’s lead as the Cubs moved toward the finish line. Tyrone Taylor also contributed offensively, collecting two hits and scoring twice while continuing to show productivity against left-handed pitching. Pedro Ramirez added two singles as the Cubs continued to manufacture offense throughout the afternoon.
The biggest turning point came in the sixth inning. Chicago led 3-2 when Boston put runners on first and second with one out, creating an opportunity to make the game uncomfortable. Garrett responded by getting Caleb Durbin to ground into a double play, ending the threat and preserving the Cubs’ advantage. That sequence produced the game’s biggest WPA play and helped keep Chicago in control.
Not every Cub had a productive afternoon. Michael Busch was tagged as the Billy Goat after going hitless in three at-bats and grounding into a double play, while Ian Happ went 0-for-5 with three strikeouts. Dansby Swanson also struggled, going 0-for-3 with a walk. Their struggles, however, were overshadowed by the contributions from Bregman and the rest of the lineup.
With the 6-2 victory, the Cubs finished the regular season at 89-73 and now turn their attention completely toward October. The next challenge is a road Wild Card series against the San Diego Padres, who finished 91-71 and enter the postseason after winning eight of their final 10 games. San Diego was also extremely strong at home, finishing 51-30 in its own ballpark, making the Cubs’ opening playoff assignment particularly challenging.
Yet Chicago enters the postseason with reasons for confidence. The Cubs finished first in the National League in scoring, while their pitching staff also did a respectable job limiting opponents. Chicago’s bullpen allowed the fourth-fewest runs in the NL, although that number needs some context because San Diego’s relievers worked significantly more innings. The Cubs also posted a .747 road OPS, showing that their offense was capable of producing away from Wrigley Field.
That combination could become particularly important against San Diego. The Padres have a strong pitching staff and a bullpen capable of making late innings difficult for opposing offenses, meaning the Cubs cannot afford to wait until the seventh or eighth inning to create separation. Chicago will need to take advantage of scoring opportunities early while also protecting leads when they get them.
The Cubs are therefore entering the postseason with a team that has both strengths and vulnerabilities. Their offense gives them the ability to score in bunches, while their pitching has generally done enough to keep games within reach. The Padres represent a serious challenge, but Chicago’s regular-season numbers show that this is not a matchup in which the Cubs have no chance to compete.
For Bregman, however, the immediate story is much simpler. He closed the regular season with a spectacular performance, won the Rizzo Award by the narrowest of margins and reminded Cubs fans why his presence could matter so much in October. After the uncertainty surrounding his injury only days earlier, Bregman responded with the kind of performance that can change the tone around a team entering the playoffs.
The Cubs now have no more regular-season games to worry about. The record is set, the individual awards have been decided, and the postseason matchup is waiting. Chicago’s next opportunity is against San Diego, and after Bregman’s dramatic Game 162 performance, the Cubs will hope their veteran third baseman has plenty more October moments left in him.
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