The Bleacher Nation Cubs Podcast

Brett and Michael are back for the eighty-first episode of the Bleacher Nation Cubs Podcast (Presented by Ankin Law)! After a much more stressful September than anyone expected, the Cubs have finally punched their ticket to the postseason.
The guys take a broader look at the journey that got them here, from a season filled with significant injuries and dramatic swings to a late Wild Card race that became far tighter than anticipated. Now, the focus turns toward October, with home-field positioning still to be decided and plenty of questions surrounding how the roster and pitching staff will line up for the postseason. Bleacher Nation
And amid all of it, Pete Crow-Armstrong officially reached 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases, putting another exclamation point on a remarkable season. Bleacher Nation
With the playoff berth finally secured, Brett and Michael take stock of where the Cubs stand, what still needs to be sorted out, and what to expect when postseason baseball begins.
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Brett and Michael are back for the eightieth episode of the Bleacher Nation Cubs Podcast (Presented by Ankin Law)! For most of the season, the question hasn't been whether the Cubs would make the playoffs, but where they would be seeded when they got there. Suddenly, that conversation has changed.
After losing a series to the Brewers last week and getting swept by Milwaukee this time around, the Cubs' once-comfortable hold on the top Wild Card spot has turned into a much tighter race simply to reach October. They've played below .500 baseball over the last month while several of the teams chasing them have gotten red hot.
But Brett and Michael discuss why the situation isn't quite as dire as the recent results might suggest. The Cubs have lost an unusual number of razor-thin games, and there are still plenty of reasons to believe this team can steady itself down the stretch.
They also discuss Pete Crow-Armstrong's incredible season, the frustration of potentially watching it go to waste, and what the Cubs need to do to make sure their season doesn't end earlier than anyone expected.
A special thank you to Ankin Law for sponsoring this podcast!
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Brett and Michael are back for the seventy-ninth episode of the Bleacher Nation Cubs Podcast (Presented by Ankin Law)! As the Cubs look to salvage a split against the Brewers, the guys take a broader look at what they're realistically playing for over the final weeks of the regular season.
While an NL Central comeback isn't impossible, the more attainable goal is securing the top Wild Card spot and putting themselves in the best possible position for October. Brett and Michael discuss that shifting focus and what they'll be watching as the Cubs navigate the final stretch.
A big part of that conversation is Daniel Palencia, whose return hasn't gone nearly as smoothly as hoped. But after so much time sidelined, the guys discuss why it's worth viewing this stretch almost like Palencia's April—a chance to rebuild velocity, regain his feel, and ramp back up for more important games ahead.
The results have been frustrating, but September doesn't have to define what Palencia can provide in October. Plus, plenty more on the Cubs as the postseason picture begins to take shape.
A special thank you to Ankin Law for sponsoring this podcast!
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Brett and Michael are back for the seventy-eighth episode of the Bleacher Nation Cubs Podcast (Presented by Ankin Law)! It was a road trip to forget, with the Cubs dropping series to both the Mariners and Diamondbacks before getting shut out 2-0 to finish a particularly brutal stretch.

Unfortunately, the losses weren't the only bad news. Ben Brown suffered another setback with his neck just as he appeared ready to begin a rehab assignment, putting his potential return this season in serious doubt. The guys discuss what the latest setback means for Brown both this year and potentially longer term.

They also revisit a painful collapse in Arizona, including the missed balk that had Pete Crow-Armstrong furious and a late-inning bullpen meltdown. Daniel Palencia is still trying to regain his form after returning from injury, while the Cubs' heavy reliance on Jacob Webb raises questions about how much longer they can continue leaning on him so aggressively.

After a rough road trip and an even rougher final 36 hours, Brett and Michael assess where the Cubs stand as the stretch run approaches.

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

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Brett and Michael are back for the seventy-seventh episode of the Bleacher Nation Cubs Podcast (Presented by Ankin Law)! With the trade deadline additions getting settled in, the guys share their early impressions of the Cubs' newest pieces, including Clay Holmes, whose extreme groundball profile has been on full display since joining the rotation.

From there, it's time for a much-needed health check on a roster that still has plenty of important players working their way back. Daniel Palencia is nearing his return, although he may not immediately jump back into the closer role, while Dansby Swanson continues to rest and recover.

There's also encouraging progress for Ben Brown, who is scheduled to face hitters in live batting practice as he takes another significant step toward a potential rehab assignment. Meanwhile, the outlook isn't as encouraging for Hunter Harvey, whose recovery has hit another snag.

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

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