3 biggest disappointments from Cubs' embarrassing loss to the Padres in Game 1

Embarrassing. Hard to watch. Call it what you want, but the Chicago Cubs looked nothing like the team that lead the league in runs and OPS during the regular season on Tuesday night. San Diego Padres right-hander Michael King took a no-hitter into the seventh in a Game 1 blowout that has Craig Counsell's team one loss from elimination.

Well, at least we had that incredible Case Keenum performance on Monday, right? Before we turn our attention to a win-or-go-home Game 2 Wednesday night at Petco Park, let's look at the 3 biggest disappointments from a gut punch of a loss.

Lifeless Cubs quickly on the brink of elimination in NL Wild Card Round

Alex Bregman and Pete Crow-Armstrong were no-shows

Heading into the series, Alex Bregman was widely considered a potential difference-maker for the Cubs. He had big-time numbers against King in his career, but once the game started, the three-time All-Star was a complete non-factor, punching out in each of his first three at-bats and setting the tone in all the wrong ways.

You have to give him at least some slack given he's playing through multiple facial fractures. But in the top two spots of the lineup, Bregman and presumptive NL MVP Pete Crow-Armstrong were almost completely held in check (they combined for 5 Ks in six at-bats against King) - and that lack of table-setting at the top of the order set the tone for a long, quiet night for the Cubs' bats.

Cubs let the Padres' big bats beat them early and often

I'm sure the Padres went into Game 1 with two names circled: PCA and Bregman. Those were the two guys you could not let beat you. For the Cubs, I assume Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado were the two big names. Unfortunately, they hit Boyd with a 1-2 punch, each popping a solo home run in the bottom of the first, unleashing absolute euphoria at Petco Park

Machado and Tatis Jr. each scored multiple runs, had multiple hits and led the charge for baseball's hottest offense down the stretch. San Diego's dynamic duo is ready to make history and their white-hot team shows zero signs of slowing down in October.

Big picture, this sends a harrowing message to the Cubs' hopes

Since this new Wild Card format was instituted, the team that won Game 1 has gone on to win the series 15 of 16 times. Not only did the Cubs lose Game 1, but they did so by turning in arguably their worst showing of the season. A bad approach at the plate, shaky pitching and sloppy defense and hustle late sent them to their deserved fate.

So forgive me if I'm not waking up this morning feeling particularly optimistic about Chicago's chances heading of evening up this series heading into Game 2.

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