Searching for solutions
On the latest edition of the Cubs Weekly Podcast, Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki address the biggest issues facing the Chicago Cubs over the last month-plus.When is it time for fans to panic and when does it stop being "too early" to draw conclusions about a team? Our podcast duo drills down on the Cubs' offensive inconsistencies, the bullpen concerns, the collective fielding slump and how all aspects of the game are intertwined.Plus, what are the solutions for the Cubs and can Jed Hoyer's front office address needs at the trade deadline?
13 Juni 202427min
The slugging situation
Former big-league catcher and manager Joe Girardi drops by the Cubs Weekly Podcast for a chat on the Wintrust Crosstown Series and a refreshing attitude from the current players on the rivalry.Girardi shared some of his best pranks as a manager and his memories of Ryne Sandberg, plus his overall thoughts on the 2024 Cubs during the first two months of the season.Girardi and Tony Andracki also break down the lineup's up-and-down nature, Christopher Morel's underlying metrics, the Cubs catching situation and the one thing the team needs to do in order to make the playoffs.
6 Juni 202426min
Ben Brown and his 'angry' fastball
Rookie pitcher Ben Brown stops by the Cubs Weekly Podcast for a conversation about his big-league career to date, including his historic start Tuesday night in Milwaukee. Brown touched on a variety of topics from the unique ways he works to recover and keep himself healthy to the players that have had an impact on him early in his career and the advice they've shared that has stuck. Plus, Taylor "Queen of BABIP" McGregor and Tony Andracki break down the Cubs' offensive struggles in May and how to balance expected statistics vs. what is actually happening on the field.
30 Maj 202425min
The Hendricks Conundrum
The Chicago Cubs are moving Kyle Hendricks to the bullpen, creating a bit of an awkward situation around a veteran who has pitched so many big games for the franchise in the last decade-plus.Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki analyze the move and what it means for the rest of the Cubs pitching staff. Plus, what will the team do to fix the slumping offense and what can Luis Vázquez provide the big-league club?All that and more, including information on the plan for Pete Crow-Armstrong and important injury updates.
23 Maj 202427min
A game of Jenga
The Cubs are playing a game of Jenga with their bullpen lately, searching for any combination of healthy arms that doesn't cause the precarious structure to topple. Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki are joined by former pitcher Sean Marshall to discuss the potential avenues for how the Cubs can resolve their bullpen concerns and what the team can do to rise above the insane number of injuries it is facing right now. Plus, Marshall provides his thoughts on Shota Imanaga's incredible start and how advice from his rookie season with the Cubs in 2006 can apply to young pitchers like Ben Brown and Hayden Wesneski.
16 Maj 202427min
Return to health
It was a big week for the Cubs as they welcomed back both Justin Steele and Cody Bellinger from the IL while Seiya Suzuki is not far behind.Our panel of Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki analyze what Bellinger's return means for the Cubs lineup, how the team's rotation has been performing lately - particularly Shota Imanaga - and what to make of the bullpen. Plus, Doug Glanville stops by the podcast to provide his takeaways from the first 6 weeks of the Cubs season. He also shared stories about his experiences with Craig Counsell during their playing days and how an unconventional bit of advice helped Ryan Dempster in his career and might be able to translate to helping Adbert Alzolay now.
9 Maj 202426min
April recap
The Cubs had the most wins in an April since 2016 while dealing with plenty of adversity. The team has put up a successful month despite everything and the Cubs Weekly Podcast breaks it all down.As the calendar turns to May, the Cubs face offensive and defensive struggles, seven players on the injured list but continue to churn out wins. Andy Martínez and Cliff Floyd discuss the effect manager Craig Counsell has had in leading the Cubs to success amidst all that. The pair discuss the way Counsell is breaking in some of the young players on their roster and how that will benefit the organization in the long-term.Floyd discusses what makes Cubs starter Shota Imanaga so tough to face and what allows him to have success. The former big leaguer also shares why he’s been impressed with Javier Assad and what makes him such a force in the Cubs’ pitching staff.
2 Maj 202427min
Injury aftermath
The injuries just keep coming for the Cubs. Cody Bellinger, Kyle Hendricks and Drew Smyly are all on the IL now and young players like Alexander Canario, Matt Mervis and Pete Crow-Armstrong will have to step up for the team.Yet, the Cubs just keep right on winning. Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki analyze the aftermath of the Cubs' recent string of injuries and what comes next for the team. Plus, former Cubs center fielder Dexter Fowler stops by to chat about what he's seen from Hendricks during the early-season struggles and how players inside an MLB clubhouse react and deal with injuries to key players. Fowler also reminisces on 2016 memories, including how that team bonded as a group and why they were able to carry that chemistry onto the field.
25 Apr 202427min
