The Bleacher Nation Cubs Podcast

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.
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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.

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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.

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Brett and Michael are back for the seventy-sixth episode of the Bleacher Nation Cubs Podcast (Presented by Ankin Law)! The Cubs are coming off an ugly 7-0 loss to the Nationals, with Kevin Gausman getting hit hard and Cade Cavalli shutting down the offense. But unlike some losses earlier this season, the guys aren't particularly troubled by this one. Sometimes a good pitcher beats you, and their confidence in the Cubs' offense—and the team as a whole—hasn't changed.

From there, they take a broader look at where the Cubs stand as the season moves deeper into August. The inevitable ups and downs feel a little different with a roster they believe is equipped to handle them, especially after the additions made at the trade deadline.

They also discuss Ben Brown's eventual return and what his role could look like down the stretch. Brown showed plenty before his injury, including in higher-leverage situations, but how much will the Cubs trust him when games take on a postseason feel? And where does he fit within a pitching staff that suddenly has considerably more options?

Plus, plenty more on the Cubs as the stretch run continues.

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Brett and Michael are back for the seventy-fifth episode of the Bleacher Nation Cubs Podcast (Presented by Ankin Law)! The Cubs are coming off a walk-off win over the Blue Jays, a sweep of the Dodgers, and perhaps most importantly, a trade deadline that made their intentions for the rest of 2026 very clear: they're going for it.

The guys take a deep dive into the Cubs' deadline haul, headlined by starting pitchers Kevin Gausman and Clay Holmes. Along with the earlier addition of David Peterson, the Cubs invested significant prospect capital into several rentals, signaling real confidence in the roster they've built and its ability to make a deep postseason run.

They also discuss the rest of the deadline additions, including Ryan Zeferjahn, Tyrone Taylor, and Braxton Garrett, as the pitching staff begins to take its post-deadline shape. Garrett offers a slightly different wrinkle as a controllable arm who could factor into the rotation beyond this season.

With new pitchers arriving, injured arms getting healthier, and the Cubs playing some excellent baseball, Brett and Michael break down what the revamped roster looks like for the stretch run—and just how much the expectations have changed.

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

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