The Chicago Cubs were a no-show in the postseason this year, getting swept by the San Diego Padres in two games in the National League Wild Card series. The Cubs' offense also scored just one run in these two games, which ultimately sent them home before the calendar even flipped forward to October.
Now, the Cubs have a long time to think about what went wrong this season, while watching some of their former players flourish in the playoffs. So, we're going to take a look at the three former Cubs who have reminded Chicago what it's missing with big postseason performances.
3 former Cubs making Chicago's postseason disappointment even harder to stomach
Kyle Tucker
As bad as right fielder Kyle Tucker was in the regular season, he has turned things on in the postseason. In six games, Tucker is slashing .300/.391/.500 with a .891 OPS, one home run, two RBI, two stolen bases and a double for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Tucker spent the 2025 season with the Cubs, where it was a tale of two halves for the four-time All-Star. The Cubs let him walk in free agency to the Dodgers for a hefty four-year, $240 million deal. Tucker flopped in his first season with the Dodgers, but he's making up for it in October. The Cubs likely wish they had his bat in the Wild Card round.
Kyle Schwarber
Speaking of bats, designated hitter Kyle Schwarber, another former Cub from 2015-2020, had a big Wild Card series for the Philadelphia Phillies. Like the Cubs, the Phillies were eliminated in the round, but it was not on Schwarber. The 33-year-old power-hitter slashed .364/.462/.636 with a 1.098 OPS, one homer and one RBI in three games. His heroic solo homer in Game 2 also helped kick start a comeback win for Philadelphia in the late innings. The Cubs could've used Schwarber to help boost their offense against the Padres. The Cubs non-tendered Schwarber after the 2020 season and he will always be the one that got away for them.
Trevor Megill
Last but not least, we have Milwaukee Brewers closer Trevor Megill. The right-hander pitched for the Cubs in 2021, making his MLB debut that season. Megill had a 8.37 ERA and 30 strikeouts that year for the Cubs before getting claimed on waivers by the Minnesota Twins the following offseason. Now, Megill has emerged as an elite closer for a division rival in the Brewers. During the postseason, Megill has not allowed a run in 4.1 innings (four appearances), notching three saves in the process. The Cubs were without a true closer they could trust entering the playoffs, and could have certainly utilized Megill in the backend of their bullpen.
