Brett and Michael are back for the fifty-seventh episode of the Bleacher Nation Cubs Podcast (Presented by Ankin Law)! The Cubs bounce back with a series win over the Rays, evening their record at .500 through the first 12 games—and the guys aren’t sweating the slow start one bit.

They reflect on a strong showing in Tampa, where the offense looked more like itself and the rotation depth stepped up in a big way. With injuries forcing unexpected starts from Javier Assad and Colin Rea, the Cubs still got quality production—highlighting exactly why this team prioritized starting depth in the first place. It’s a reassuring reminder that even with adversity, this staff can hold things together in the short term.

Of course, the schedule doesn’t get any easier, with a brutal stretch ahead featuring the Phillies, Mets, and Dodgers. Brett and Michael discuss what that means for the Cubs early-season outlook and how the pitching staff—both starters and relievers—will need to continue evolving as the season unfolds.

There’s also continued conversation about how to balance long-term concerns with what’s happening right now. Yes, there are real questions about health and sustainability, but it’s April—and the focus remains on what this team is doing well in the present.

A special thank you to Ankin Law for sponsoring this podcast!

Visit Ankin Law's Website ➡️ ankinlaw.com

Get your Cubs Coverage at https://www.bleachernation.com/cubs
Get your Bears Coverage at https://www.bleachernation.com/bears
Get your Bulls Coverage at https://www.bleachernation.com/bulls
Get your Blackhawks Coverage at https://www.bleachernation.com/blackhawks
Get Sports Betting Updates, Info, & Tips at https://www.bleachernation.com/betting

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Brett and Michael are back for the fifty-sixth episode of the Bleacher Nation Cubs Podcast (Presented by Ankin Law)! With the first week of the regular season in the books, the guys take a step back to reflect—and, of course, fire off a few early overreactions.

Is Matthew Boyd suddenly a strikeout machine after racking up 17 Ks through two starts? Is Alex Bregman “washed” at third base after a couple early errors (don’t worry, that one’s tongue-in-cheek)? And what’s going on with Dylan Carlson’s lack of playing time so far?

They also provide an update on Seiya Suzuki, who is now set for a rehab assignment after his knee injury during the World Baseball Classic. The timeline has stretched a bit longer than expected, but his return still appears to be on the horizon.

On the positive side, the guys dig into Bregman’s early swing data, which looks extremely encouraging despite modest raw power numbers so far. His approach at the plate—particularly his attack angle and quality of contact—suggests strong results could be coming soon.

They also discuss some in-game strategy, including the logic behind bunting in certain counts, before zooming back out to what we’ve learned (and maybe over-learned) from the Cubs’ first handful of games.

A special thank you to Ankin Law for sponsoring this podcast!

Visit Ankin Law's Website ➡️ ankinlaw.com

Get your Cubs Coverage at https://www.bleachernation.com/cubs
Get your Bears Coverage at https://www.bleachernation.com/bears
Get your Bulls Coverage at https://www.bleachernation.com/bulls
Get your Blackhawks Coverage at https://www.bleachernation.com/blackhawks
Get Sports Betting Updates, Info, & Tips at https://www.bleachernation.com/betting

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Brett and Michael are back for the fifty-fifth episode of the Bleacher Nation Cubs Podcast (Presented by Ankin Law) — and the first episode of the regular season!

They react to the Cubs’ Opening Day loss to the Nationals (10-4) at Wrigley, while keeping things in perspective. One game doesn’t define a season, but there are still some takeaways worth unpacking.

On the pitching side, Matthew Boyd’s outing was a tale of two games—dominant swing-and-miss stuff early (20 whiffs, 44.4% CSW), followed by a rough fourth inning where command slipped, and mistakes got punished. It’s a reminder of both the upside and volatility in this rotation.

Offensively, the Cubs created plenty of traffic but couldn’t capitalize, going 4-for-19 with runners in scoring position and leaving nine on base. Still, there were positives, including a strong day from Michael Busch at the top of the lineup.

The guys also break down a much bigger piece of news: the Cubs have signed Nico Hoerner to a six-year extension, locking up the second baseman beyond his would-be free agency. It’s the second major extension in a week—following Pete Crow-Armstrong’s deal—and a clear signal that the Cubs believe they are firmly in a contention window right now.

They also touch on the new challenge system, how it should be used, and early impressions from Opening Day. Plus, a quick discussion on lineup construction, including Ian Happ’s tough day and where he fits best moving forward.

And don’t forget — Bleacher Nation Cubs just added three new writers, so be sure to check out even more coverage all season long.

A special thank you to Ankin Law for sponsoring this podcast!

Visit Ankin Law's Website ➡️ ankinlaw.com

Get your Cubs Coverage at https://www.bleachernation.com/cubs
Get your Bears Coverage at https://www.bleachernation.com/bears
Get your Bulls Coverage at https://www.bleachernation.com/bulls
Get your Blackhawks Coverage at https://www.bleachernation.com/blackhawks
Get Sports Betting Updates, Info, & Tips at https://www.bleachernation.com/betting

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Brett and Michael are back for the fifty-fourth episode of the Bleacher Nation Cubs Podcast (Presented by Ankin Law)! With Opening Day just one week away—set for Wrigley Field against the Nationals—the excitement is building as the Cubs wrap up Spring Training.

The guys break down a pitching staff that has looked sharp throughout camp, highlighted by strong swing-and-miss stuff and encouraging early results. Cade Horton’s emergence is a major talking point, including his nasty change-up and him getting the Opening Day nod.

They also discuss how the Cubs’ defensive strength has played a key role this spring, allowing pitchers to attack the strike zone with confidence and trust the defense to handle balls in play. It’s a combination that could raise the overall ceiling of the staff if it carries into the regular season.

Overall, Brett and Michael share their optimism about where the team stands heading into the year, with a rotation that feels both top-heavy and deep, and a roster that looks ready to compete right out of the gate.

A special thank you to Ankin Law for sponsoring this podcast!

Visit Ankin Law's Website ➡️ ankinlaw.com

Get your Cubs Coverage at https://www.bleachernation.com/cubs
Get your Bears Coverage at https://www.bleachernation.com/bears
Get your Bulls Coverage at https://www.bleachernation.com/bulls
Get your Blackhawks Coverage at https://www.bleachernation.com/blackhawks
Get Sports Betting Updates, Info, & Tips at https://www.bleachernation.com/betting

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Brett and Michael are back for Episode 53 of the Bleacher Nation Cubs Podcast (Presented by Ankin Law)! With the regular season fast approaching, the guys dive into a mix of Cubs news and broader baseball storylines, starting with the excitement surrounding the World Baseball Classic. The Cubs had a presence in the tournament as well, with pitcher Matthew Boyd appearing for Team USA before departing early to return to Cubs camp and continue preparing for the season. Shortly after that move, the Cubs announced Boyd will be their Opening Day starter, a decision that sparks discussion about how much the Opening Day designation really matters and why the matchup might actually make a lot of sense.

The guys also dig into some of the roster experimentation happening in Spring Training. The Cubs have been giving top prospect Matt Shaw reps all over the field—including first base—as they explore whether he can truly become a multi-position weapon. At the same time, Moisés Ballesteros has been getting significant time behind the plate, raising questions about how the Cubs might deploy their catching depth and lineup flexibility once the games start to count.

A special thank you to Ankin Law for sponsoring this podcast!
Visit Ankin Law's Website ➡️ ankinlaw.com

Get your Cubs Coverage at https://www.bleachernation.com/cubs
Get your Bears Coverage at https://www.bleachernation.com/bears
Get your Bulls Coverage at https://www.bleachernation.com/bulls
Get your Blackhawks Coverage at https://www.bleachernation.com/blackhawks
Get Sports Betting Updates, Info, & Tips at https://www.bleachernation.com/betting

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Brett and Michael are back for the fifty-second episode of the Bleacher Nation Cubs Podcast (Presented by Ankin Law)! With Spring Training underway, baseball is officially back in the air, and the guys settle into the rhythms of camp and the early days of the preseason.

They talk about the World Baseball Classic, which continues to draw heavy interest around the league—including strong representation from the Cubs organization. The conversation touches on how teams and players balance tournament play with preparation for the MLB season, and what it means when elite pitchers try to maintain their routines during a mid-spring international event.

From there, the discussion opens up into a broader baseball conversation—what a hypothetical Team USA roster might look like over the course of a full MLB season, how talent concentration at that level would translate over 162 games, and how the sport continues to evolve.

The guys also react to recent comments from former Cubs manager Joe Maddon about advanced analytics—when they’re most useful, how managers can implement them effectively, and where the human element still matters most in decision-making.

With camp underway and the baseball calendar ramping up, it’s a wide-ranging conversation about the sport, the upcoming season, and everything that makes this time of year exciting.

A special thank you to Ankin Law for sponsoring this podcast!
Visit Ankin Law's Website ➡️ ankinlaw.com

Read more Cubs coverage ➡️ bleachernation.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Brett and Michael are back for Episode 51 of the Bleacher Nation Cubs Podcast! Hosts Brett Taylor and Michael Cerami dive into a packed week of Spring Training storylines as the Chicago Cubs ramp up toward meaningful games. The biggest on-field conversation? The Automated Balls and Strikes (ABS) challenge system. The guys break down how it’s functioning in camp, whether the process feels too slow or overly theatrical, and what it will look like when it’s fully implemented. Is the league striking the right balance between accuracy and pace? And how will broadcasts handle the strike zone graphic once challenges become the norm?

From there, it’s all about roster maneuvering. The guys walk through the implications of timing those moves, how it impacts depth, and what it signals about early-season expectations. The bench battle is also heating up. How does Matt Shaw fit into the mix as a utility option? Which outfielders have the edge among Michael Conforto, Dylan Carlson, and Kevin Alcantara? And what role could Moises Ballesteros carve out as roster spots tighten?

A special thank you to Ankin Law for sponsoring this podcast!
Visit Ankin Law's Website ➡️ ankinlaw.com

Read more Cubs coverage ➡️ bleachernation.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Brett and Michael are back for the fiftieth episode of the Bleacher Nation Cubs Podcast (Presented by Ankin Law)! Spring Training games are finally here, with the Cubs set to host the White Sox in their Cactus League opener.

But the biggest news of the week came off the field: Tony Clark has suddenly resigned as head of the MLB Players Association. The timing is stunning, coming just ahead of what is expected to be a contentious round of Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations. The guys discuss what this leadership shakeup could mean for upcoming talks, revenue sharing debates, and the broader labor landscape in baseball. With Deputy Director Bruce Meyer likely stepping into a larger role, the question becomes whether the union can stay organized during such a critical stretch.

On the Cubs front, the team officially signed rehabbing reliever Shelby Miller and designated infielder Ben Cowles for assignment to clear a 40-man spot. That move sparks discussion about roster timing, waiver calculations, and why the Cubs did not immediately place Justin Steele on the 60-day IL. Is it about optimism for Steele’s timeline, or simply smart roster maneuvering? The guys break it down.

With camp underway and league-wide uncertainty swirling, there’s no shortage of topics—even before the games begin.

A special thank you to Ankin Law for sponsoring this podcast!
Visit Ankin Law's Website ➡️ ankinlaw.com

Read more Cubs coverage ➡️ bleachernation.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.