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Cubs star Alex Bregman is 1 of many hitters to stink in playoffs, and he knows exactly why
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- Cubs star Alex Bregman is 1 of many hitters to stink in playoffs, and he knows exactly why
Cubs star Alex Bregman is 1 of many hitters to stink in playoffs, and he knows exactly why appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman endured a disappointing 2026 postseason as offensive struggles continued to plague hitters across Major League Baseball.
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ESPN's Jeff Passan reported Thursday that MLB hitters have combined for a .212 batting average during the postseason, while fastballs have averaged 96.2 mph.
Bregman experienced those difficulties during Chicago's brief playoff run, going hitless in eight at-bats. However, his struggles reflected a broader offensive challenge facing hitters throughout the postseason.
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Passan shared a video on X, formerly Twitter, featuring Bregman discussing why velocity alone cannot explain how a pitch appears to a batter.
"And you have guys that throw 96. Some of it feels sometimes it feels like 90. Sometimes it feels like 100. And a lot of that goes into like VAA and extension."
Vertical approach angle, or VAA, measures the angle at which a pitch crosses home plate. Its trajectory can affect how hitters track fastballs despite identical radar-gun readings.
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Extension measures how far toward the plate a pitcher releases the ball. Greater extension shortens its flight distance, reducing reaction time and potentially making the pitch appear faster.
For the 32-year-old infielder, the explanation follows a disappointing finish to an otherwise productive season. The San Diego Padres swept the Cubs at Petco Park, winning 8-0 on September 29 and 4-1 the following night.
Chicago's offense managed just one run and eight hits in the series, with Bregman going 0-for-8 with four strikeouts and no RBIs.
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San Diego's relievers covered the final 5 2/3 innings of Game 2, allowing two hits and no runs vs. the Cubs.
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During the regular season, however, he posted 161 hits, 28 home runs, 93 RBIs, a .265 average and an .819 OPS.
His remarks describe a broader pitching challenge rather than establishing a specific cause for his hitless series. Although Chicago's season is over, the league-wide hitting struggles Passan highlighted remain relevant as the championship series continues.
