So, the San Diego Padres lost to the Chicago Cubs, and there were many talking points that happened during the game. But there was one talking point that came after the match, and this involved Manny Machado and a reporter. The one thing that’s never advisable to do to a losing side is go and ask them how they feel after the game, and this reporter, CBS, asked this to Manny Machado, of all people.

When Manny Machado is involved, something fiery usually happens, and add the frustration of a loss in a must-win Wild Card game, things can get a bit tensed. Manny Machado was asked a question by a reporter, Jake Garegnani, about how he assessed the season after their loss to the Cubs. Machado said, “What type of question is that, dude… how do I assess a season? We just lost. How do you think I assess it?… You can ask better questions than that… You’re gonna wait till the last minute to ask that question? Come on, bro.”

Manny Machado’s 2025 postseason performance left much to be desired, with a batting average of just .100. His struggles at the plate were glaring, especially in the decisive Game 3, where key opportunities with runners on base went wasted. Despite hitting a two-run homer in Game 2, he could not carry the momentum into the final matchup against the Cubs. Machado openly admitted, “I put that blame on myself, I should have been better,” showing his commitment to the team.

Yet the Game 3 loss cannot rest on one player’s shoulders alone, as pitching and offense faltered together under pressure. Yu Darvish lasted only one inning and allowed crucial runs, leaving the Padres vulnerable early in the game. The offense managed only one run late from Jackson Merrill’s solo homer, failing to spark any meaningful rally. Still, the season offers small takeaways: the team showed moments of resilience and leadership that can guide roster decisions for 2026.

Manny Machado and the San Diego Padres can review mistakes, but accountability cannot be ignored this offseason. Reporters might rethink asking obvious questions, especially to frustrated stars right after crushing postseason losses. If the Cubs keep winning, the Padres will remember Game 3 as painfully instructive for years.

After Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr. gives his view on the Padres after Game 3

If the San Diego Padres’ clubhouse had a mood, it would have been somewhere between stunned silence and low-grade chaos after Game 3 of the Wild Card series. Manny Machado already carried the weight of blame for the loss, but Fernando Tatis Jr. wasn’t exactly ready to write a feel-good statement for the papers. Between missed opportunities and frustrated bats, the Padres’ postseason dreams hit a wall, and Tatis had something short, sharp, and salty to say about it.

Fernando Tatis Jr. summed up the Padres’ offensive frustration with brutal honesty, telling reporters, “Just f–king hit,” after their Wild Card loss to the Cubs. He went 1-for-12 in the series, including a 0-for-4 outing in the decisive Game 3, leaving fans painfully aware of the team’s missed chances. The Padres managed only one run in both Games 1 and 3, and even their Game 2 win relied more on pitching and defense than consistent hitting. With runners stranded in critical moments and opportunities slipping away, the team’s struggles at the plate left the postseason dreams slipping through their fingers.

The Padres’ bats, led by Tatis and Machado, didn’t show up when needed. Chicago’s pitching exposed every hole, leaving San Diego fans gritting their teeth and shaking their heads helplessly. Next season, the Padres will hope to sort out their offensive issues for a better postseason outing.