Bp Wrigleycast - Chicago Cubs News

The bats needed to come to life if the Cubs were going to have a shot at winning the series, and last night it finally happened.Also, big moments from Willson Contreras and the bullpen as the Cubs guarantee a return to Wrigley Field.

Nothing good happened last night as the Cubs lost game 3. Oh wait, Kris Bryant had a few singles.Is it time to panic or is this just #baseball? The guys discuss.

Still trying to put into words what happened the night before, Ryan and Isaac get together and discuss the events of Game 4 and Game 3. That includes questionable decisions by Joe Maddon, brilliant decisions by Joe Maddon, and how things were feeling in the Giants series heading into that fatefull ninth inning.Later, the guys run down the tentative pitchers for the NLCS matchup that could feature either the Los Angeles Dodgers or the Washington Nationals and give their pick for the best opponent for the Cubs.If you like that we put out these Quick Take's and appreciate the podcast, or even if you have a critique and want to hear something different, please leave a rating and review on iTunes.

The Cubs take game two over the Giants, thanks in large part to a surprise contribution from Travis Wood. We look at what happened and give instant reaction, talking about Jeff Samardzija, Wood's homer, Kyle Hendricks' early exit, and looking ahead to the Bumgarner/Arrieta matchup in game three and the likelihood of the Cubs closing out the series.If you like these quick takes, please leave us a rating and review! You can also follow on Twitter @BPWrigleycast.

Cubs beat the Giants in a pitcher's duel at Wrigley thanks to Jon Lester and Javy Baez.

Yeah, the Mets would've been better, but the Giants are still a team that played terrible baseball in the second half. And Madison Bummergarner isn't going until Game 3. So there's that...The guys start off a bit somber after the Giants win becomes official, but then end on a high note thanks to something we call "The Joel Cornhole." Tune in for the details. 

With the National League wild card teams set, Ryan, Isaac, and Joel discuss which one would be the ideal matchup for the Cubs. Then, they flip the script and talk about which team they think will win the one-game playoff and why.Later, the trio muse about players they believe will be x-factors for the Cubs, players they are somewhat concerned about, and the recent struggles of Hector Rondon.Joel recalls a former Cy Young winner in 60 Seconds with a Former Cub, Ryan fields a question from a listener about concerns with the starting staff, and Isaac gives us an at-bat of the week to remember. Don't forget to follow us on @BPWrigleycast and leave a review on iTunes!

Isaac is MIA this week but the guys take a look at Jake Arrieta's rest before the playoffs, Montero making a comeback, and the Epstein profile on ESPN.60 Seconds with a Former Cub takes us to Shawon Dunston and the guys wonder if the era of coasting on your laurels is over.The Question of the Week wonders about who has overperformed their projected WARP numbers from before the season, and it turns into a nice little game.

With another pinch-hitter needed for the transient Carlos, Mark Grote from 670 The Score and Chicago Cubs pre- and post-game joins the rest of the team. Among the topics discussed, the differences between this Cubs front office and those of the past, Miguel Montero's spot on the postseason roster, and the playoff rotation. Mark even does his exceptional Pat Hughes impersonation!Later, Ryan, Joel, and Isaac dive further into who they'd prefer to see the Cubs play in the NLDS. 60 Seconds with a Former Cub harkens us back to an experience Joel once had with Mark Grace, and the guys debate who might play members of the organization in a movie about the 2016 Cubs. Isaac finishes things off with his At-Bat of the Week and by declaring his love for Aaron Rodgers. 

Kyle Hendricks was so close to throwing a no-hitter until he threw a meatball to Jebediah Hazelfrankenstein on an 0-2 count. It's too bad, but what does this near brush with greatness do to his Cy Young chances? And also: where should the Cubs slot him in the playoff rotation?The guys discuss some other playoff roster implications, like Montgomery vs. Hammel and Coghlan vs. LaStella.Joel gets political with 60 Seconds with a Former Cub.Ryan brings up a question from the fans dealing with...the playoff roster? I can't remember, but it was a good conversation.Then Isaac's At Bat of the Week revels in the greatness that is Kris Bryant.

It's not easy coming up with negatives when you're the best team in baseball, but the guys decide to take a look at Heyward's offense, Hammel's post-season role, and potential playoff matchups.For 60 seconds with a former Cub, Joel picks a player that wasn't anything special but almost did something very special. And for the question of the week, Ryan tackles a potential Dexter Fowler long-term deal. Isaac, unfortunately, was purposefully muted throughout the entire episode as punishment. Let that be a lesson to you, young man.

With Carlos missing in action yet again, the gang turns to a veteran radio voice to pick up the slack: Matt Spiegel, of The Spiegel & Goff Show on 670 The Score. Isaac, Joel, and Ryan talk to Matt about Joe Maddon, the clubhouse vibes, Theo Epstein, and Matt's prediction for how this season will end.Then, the guys beat the 'pitch usage' horse to death, they talk about what Jorge Soler can show down the stretch, and how the playoff roster might shake out. Joel harkens us back to the days of Ryan Theriot and Isaac gives us the At-Bat(s) of the week.

Pedro Strop should be back for the playoffs, so how big a deal is his injury? Would his injury have the Cubs give Papelbon a chance to come aboard and see some familiar faces? Isaac's head might explode if they do. And how about Kyle Hendricks? Should he trump Jon Lester in a game two start in the playoffs? And more follow up on the Tommy La Stella story.Joel is back with 60 Seconds, and he takes us back to Scott Sanderson and his...good looks?The question of the week is all about giving Jason Heyward a "Starlin Castro benching" to try to ignite his bat.The at bat of the week is David Ross...but it's not a sac fly this time around.

Jorge Soler is back! But how will Joe Maddon use him without a DH spot in the lineup?Tommy LaStella was sent down to Triple-A...a while ago, but still hasn't reported. What's that all about?Trevor Cahill is being stretched out at Triple-A to start, so what does that mean for the rest of the rotation.All those questions and more, along with our Question of the Week, which Ryan tackles. It's about Chris Coghlan vs. Tommy LaStella.Isaac's At Bat of the Week is a heads-up sac fly by Dexter Fowler, along with great baserunning from Matt Szczur himself.

Joel is out today, but we've channeled our inner Joels to see what we're all freaking out about these days. Should CJ Edwards give it a shot out of the rotation next year? We take a look at the possibility. More on the trade deadline and the value the Cubs could've gotten for Gleyber Torres.The Question of the Week is about how Cub greats Mark Grace and Ron Santo compare to current players Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant.Isaac takes us through his At Bat of the Week...which doesn't involve David Ross.

It finally happened: the Cubs traded away their top prospect (and more) for a top pitcher. Did they get enough? Was this a good move? The guys weigh in, with Isaac and Ryan taking a pretty clear stance on the whole thing.This move also comes with a ton of baggage, and the guys talk about the domestic violence issues surrounding Chapman and the role that plays in assessing this trade.Joel's 60 Seconds with a Former Cub revisits with another closer: Joe Borowski.Ryan's Question of the Week is a poll about the Chapman trade that shows a pretty split fan base.Isaac takes on the At Bat of the Week and Anthony Rizzo locks that down...again.

The Cubs pull off a trade well in advance of the deadline and acquire a lefthander to work out of the pen. In exchange, they traded away long-time trade-rumor fodder Dan Vogelbach. 

As the second half of the season kicks off, the guys chat about what they think will happen, what they’d like to see happen, and what they’re afraid will happen (Joel’s idea, of course). Then we take a different look at improving at the deadline by examining some internal options rather than focusing on trading for another team’s player. Then we chat with Isaac about his visit to the Iowa Cubs, including conversations with Joe Nathan and Brian Matusz. No 60 Seconds with a former Cub today as Joel is “busy.”Our question of the week comes from a loyal listener and tackles the issue of who gets bumped from the rotation come playoff time and how to best use that arm out of the pen down the stretch.The at bat of the week is an ovbious one, even if Carlos thinks it should be a David Ross sac fly.

Is it time to panic as the Cubs struggle to win games, or could there be a silver lining to confronting some adversity at this point in the season? Then the guys discuss Willson Contreras and whether he's your starting catcher come playoff time. The BP Midseason Top 50 is out and three Cubs made the list...the guys talk about them and the state of the system. Every team faces injuries, but how have the Cubs fared so far this year in coping with theirs?Joel's 60 Seconds with a Former Cub features Andre Dawson.The Question of the Week is about the spike in homeruns allowed and what, if anything, can be done about it.Then Isaac takes us to the At Bat of the Week with a guy who very well might be an MVP candidate.

Carlos and Isaac are out, so the guys welcome Cat Garcia to pick up their slack. The Cubs have had a tough few weeks, but should fans be concerned or merely frustrated with the drought? Later, the trio discuss how the team can best improve heading into the second half of the season and a few intriguing names that have been rumored as trade targets for the Cubs. Joel gives us a '60 Seconds with a Former Cub', recalling back to the days of a certain beefed up outfielder from the late 90s. Ryan's 'Question of the Week' relates to Addison Russell and Javier Baez. Be sure to give us a rating and a review on iTunes!