The Bleacher Nation Cubs Podcast

Brett and Michael are back for the seventy-first episode of the Bleacher Nation Cubs Podcast (Presented by Ankin Law)! With the All-Star break providing a brief pause in the season, the guys take a step back to discuss where the Cubs stand heading into the second half.

They reflect on a successful MLB Draft for the Cubs organization and Pete Crow-Armstrong's All-Star appearance, where he represented the club with a hit on baseball's biggest stage. From there, the conversation turns into a broader midseason check-in, looking at the highs and lows of the first half, the challenges the Cubs have battled through, and what still lies ahead as the postseason race begins to heat up.

It's a relaxed, wide-ranging baseball conversation before the second half gets underway.

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Brett and Michael are back for the seventieth episode of the Bleacher Nation Cubs Podcast (Presented by Ankin Law)! As the Cubs head into a three-game series against the Reds before the All-Star break, the guys look back on a mixed week that featured a tough series loss to the Cardinals—highlighted by a rough opener—but a bounce-back series win over the Orioles.

The bulk of the conversation focuses on the state of the Cubs' pitching staff, particularly a bullpen that's being stretched to its limits. With injuries continuing to pile up in the rotation, the trickle-down effect has left both the major league bullpen and the relief depth at Triple-A feeling increasingly thin. Brett and Michael discuss how the Cubs can navigate the next few weeks, what options remain internally, and whether outside help may become a necessity.

It's an honest look at one of the biggest challenges facing the Cubs as they try to carry momentum into the All-Star break.

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Brett and Michael are back for the sixty-ninth episode of the Bleacher Nation Cubs Podcast (Presented by Ankin Law)! The Cubs are rolling again after taking two of three from the Brewers and sweeping the Padres, punctuated by a jaw-dropping 23-3 victory to cap off a tremendous week.

The guys break down the offense's resurgence, highlighted by Seiya Suzuki's clutch hitting against Milwaukee and Dansby Swanson's incredible power surge, including three home runs on July 1 and five over a two-day span. They also discuss Michael Busch, whose season remains an interesting mix of patience, production, and flashes of the power the Cubs know he possesses.

A major portion of the show is dedicated to Pete Crow-Armstrong's remarkable evolution at the plate. From becoming more selective in hitter's counts to trusting himself with two strikes, the guys explore how PCA has elevated his offensive game—and just how high his ceiling might be after one of the most productive months by a position player in recent memory.

They also look ahead to the trade deadline, discussing the latest reporting around the Dodgers' strategy and what it could mean for the Cubs and the rest of the National League as deadline season begins to heat up.

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

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Brett and Michael are back for the sixty-eighth episode of the Bleacher Nation Cubs Podcast (Presented by Ankin Law)! The Cubs head into Thursday looking for a series sweep of the Mets, having won nine of their last 12 games behind an offense that's finally firing on all cylinders.

Unfortunately, the injury bug refuses to let up. The rotation has been hit yet again, with Ben Brown landing on the injured list shortly after Edward Cabrera exited with what could be a lengthy hamstring/adductor injury. With six key pitchers currently sidelined, the guys discuss how the Cubs keep finding ways to win despite an increasingly threadbare staff—and whether this latest wave of injuries finally forced the front office's hand.

It didn't take long to find an answer. The Cubs swung an early trade, acquiring David Peterson from the New York Mets to reinforce the rotation. While Peterson has endured an uneven season, Brett and Michael discuss why his ground-ball profile, recent track record, and fit in front of the Cubs' elite defense make him an intriguing addition for a club desperate for healthy innings.

The guys break down what the move means for the rotation, the cost of acquiring Peterson, and whether the Cubs may still need to pursue additional pitching help before the trade deadline.

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

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Brett and Michael are back for the sixty-seventh episode of the Bleacher Nation Cubs Podcast (Presented by Ankin Law)! And after weeks of frustration, the mood is noticeably better. The Cubs have won back-to-back series and five of their last seven games, creating at least some optimism that the worst stretch of the season may finally be behind them.

The offense remains a fascinating discussion point. The Cubs' struggles with runners in scoring position haven't disappeared, but the guys dig into why the issue feels so pronounced. The Cubs have actually done a great job creating offensive opportunities, which has only magnified their inability to cash them in consistently.

They also discuss why the trade deadline outlook remains complicated. If the Cubs want to address the offense, where exactly would a new bat play? Pitching, on the other hand, feels like a much cleaner problem to solve, making rotation help a natural focus as the deadline approaches.

Elsewhere, the guys examine encouraging signs from Matt Shaw, whose increased bat speed and improved play since returning may point to some early-season circumstances that held him back. They also discuss Craig Counsell's handling of Ben Brown, the importance of protecting an injury-thinned rotation, and where Moisés Ballesteros fits into the Cubs' plans moving forward.

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

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