Vol. IThe Bluffball AlmanacSUN, SEP 13, 2026✉ Write innew

Sportsinator

Daily sports news cheat sheets for people who want to talk sports

MLBFinal1 Jul, 2026

San Diego PadresvsChicago Cubs

SD 3/CHC 23

MLB.TVWrigley Field
Things to say

The Cubs hammered the Padres 23-3 at Wrigley Field.

01
opener
Cubs absolutely buried them, 23-3. It was over by the middle innings. Wrigley was basically a batting practice.
02
key player
The whole heart of the order feasted. When a lineup puts up 23, everybody left the yard on somebody.
03
hot take
That's not a loss, that's a mercy. San Diego's manager should've waved the white flag and saved his arms.
04
deep cut
Padres burned through their whole bullpen in a getaway game. That staff is gonna be gassed for the next series.
05
exit
Anyway, San Diego's gotta flush this one fast and just take the next one.
The recap

This one got ugly early and never stopped, with the Cubs hanging a 23-spot on San Diego at Wrigley in a laugher of a getaway day. When you put up 23, everybody eats — the whole lineup was squaring balls up, the heart of the order left the yard, and the wind was clearly blowing out.

The Padres' starter got knocked around and their manager basically waved the white flag with the pen. Twenty-three to three isn't a game, it's a batting practice session, and Chicago cruises to 49-38.

More from1 Jul, 2026browse that day’s box scores →