Locked On Cubs

The Cubs split with the San Diego Padres this weekend, and oh boy was that not fun. They were outscored 24-17 in the series and now head to Kansas City to take on the Royals -- who may in fact be the worst team in baseball right now. After talking about the Padres series and the fans in our mentions on Twitter in segment one, we moved on to Royals chat in our second segment.We also talked a bit about Kris Bryant's injury and why it has us on edge before moving on to the final segment, where we looked around the NL Central. Good news! The Brewers will have to fend off the powerhouse Padres for the next three days. This certainly will go well for the Cubs! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After my proclamation that the Cubs needed to go at least 5-2 over their seven game stretch against the San Diego Padres and Kansas City Royals, they kicked things off by dropping the first game, 6-1. Sean Sears and I discussed that, today's game, and more in our first segment. Brandon Morrow picked up a baseball and threw some "pitches" yesterday, but not much else has changed on that front.In segment two, we took Joe Maddon to task for a decision both of us find to be indefensible. How do you pull Mike Montgomery after 5 1/3 innings and 79 pitches if you let him bat in a crucial spot the inning prior? In the final segment, we looked around the NL Central and spent a few extra minutes bemoaning Thursday night's loss to the Padres. Can't the Cubs just start a run of consistent, good baseball? Please? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Cubs won in Pittsburgh last night, and Cole Hamels was impressive in his debut. Sean Sears and I talked about that game, why it was important, and why it's even more important that the Cubs perform well over the next week. In the second segment, we took a look at the MVP candidacy of Javier Báez. Where does he fall in the rankings? Who are the favorites, as of right now? In the final segment, we talked a little about the NL Central standings and discussed an MLB poll regarding the National League MVP race. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Cubs lost a frustrating game last night, with Addison Russell being called out at third base via replay. That took the potential tying run off the bases in the ninth inning, and the Cubs lost 5-4 to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Cole Hamels makes his Cubs debut tonight, but the even worse news is that the Cubs and Brewers are now tied in first place. Sean Sears and I play the wet blanket in our outlook on how the rest of the season could play out.In the second segment, we talked about the good news of the day: The Brandon Kintzler trade and a positive injury update on Yu Darvish. In the final segment, we updated the standings and chatted about the upgrades the Brewers made to their roster. This could be a tough battle to the very end, and that's not good for the Cubs' World Series hopes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I'm back with Sean Sears for this Tuesday edition of Locked On Cubs, after both of us slept through our Monday recording time. We talked about the events of the weekend, including Kyle Hendricks' excellent start on Sunday, some Yu Darvish chatter, and the Cole Hamels deal. Was Alex Rodriguez off base with what he said about Darvish on ESPN Sunday night?In the second segment, we looked at the rumors surrounding the Cubs at the trade deadline. They've been said to be looking for a controllable starting pitcher, but how realistic is that? About as realistic as trading for Bryce Harper -- who also happens to be available. In the final segment, we quickly updated the standings in the NL Central. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sean brings on fellow Locked On podcaster Matt Peck from Locked on Bulls who was at the Cubs epic walkoff win at Wrigley Field Thursday afternoon. In the second segment we discuss the impact newly acquired starter Cole Hamels could have on this Cubs rotation that is desperately in need of some help. And finally we preview the Friday’s game against the Cardinals and talk our daily look at the NL Central.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The good news, which we start with in our first segment, is that the Cubs beat the D-Backs behind a strong effort from Jon Lester on Wednesday. Sean Sears and I break down why the start from Lester was so encouraging, and we look ahead at the series finale with Tyler Chatwood on the mound. But in the second segment, we react in real-time to the news of the day: Kris Bryant is headed back to the disabled list.In addition to Bryant talk, we chat about David Bote and possible trade targets that remain for the Cubs. Could they trade for a starter and a reliever from the same team? (We mention Seung-Hwan Oh as a possible target in the second segment, but later confirm that he was traded on Wednesday). In the final segment, we looked around the NL Central and updated the standings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Cubs lost to the Arizona Diamondbacks yet again last night, this time being shut down by Clay Buchholz -- yes, him. Sean Sears and I break that down in the first segment and talk a little bit about what has truly ailed the Cubs, which is their starting pitching and the Kris Bryant shoulder injury mismanagement. In the second segment, we played around with trade proposals from the listeners via Twitter: "Who Say's No?" Without spoiling anything, most of these trades were a bit light on the Cubs' end of things. But still a lot of fun conversation! Sean and I finished out the third segment by talking about yesterday's action in the NL Central and updating the standings (apologies for the occasional audio problem, it gets better). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The bad news is that Monday night's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks was over before the Cubs even came to the plate. But the good news, if you can call it that, is that Joe Maddon had a little fun with Anthony Rizzo -- who made his pitching debut in the ninth inning. Sean Sears and I looked back on what went wrong for the Cubs in the first segment.In the second segment, we took a deeper dive into the phenomenon of position players pitching. Is it a good idea and could it expand even further? In the final segment, Sean and I looked at the NL Central and recapped a rough loss for the St. Louis Cardinals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I was unable to be on this episode of Locked On Cubs, so Sean Sears graciously took care of this one on his own. First off, he looked back on the five-game series with the St. Louis Cardinals and shared some of his experiences from the ballpark. Later, he went into detail on the kind of trade he thinks would be good for the Cubs to strengthen their roster.Finally, Sean previewed the series with the Arizona Diamondbacks that begins tonight and took a look around the NL Central. Spoiler alert: The Cubs have a 3.5 game lead and the Cardinals dropped into fourth-place. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Cubs beat the St. Louis Cardinals in the opener of their five-game series on Thursday night, rallying from an early deficit to win 9-6. In the first segment, I looked back on that game for a brief moment and previewed the pitching matchup in Friday's game. In the second segment, Evan Altman of Cubs Insider joined me to talk more in depth about Thurdsay's victory, the Cardinals, Jason Heyward, and several other pertinent topics.In the final segment, we fielded a question from a listener -- that we pretty loosely answered -- and talked about a new addition to the bullpen. Welcome to Chicago, former Texas Rangers reliever Jesse Chavez! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Cubs are back in action today, taking on the St. Louis Cardinals and their new manager, Mike Shildt. Sean Sears and I previewed the game, which Sean will be attending as credentialed media for the first time. The game will feature Kyle Hendricks against Carlos Martinez. In the second segment, we looked at a piece Jesse Rogers wrote for ESPN that tried to pinpoint what a Cubs trade for Jacob deGrom might look like. Is it more favorable than we originally thought?Given this new information, we came to the conclusion that the Cubs are definitely, 100% trading for deGrom. No question, done deal. In the final segment, we briefly discussed the results of a poll from the @LockedOnCubs Twitter account and I made puns relating to Brad Hand's name. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The All-Star Game is over, with the American League beating the National League 8-6. Javy Baez got a hit off Chris Sale, and Willson Contreras hit a solo homer. Sean and I briefly discuss the game, as well as Josh Hader's rough night, before going into some trade deadline discussion in the second segment (based on this story I wrote for Bet Chicago).In the final segment, Sean and I fielded a question from a listener regarding Victor Caratini and his future with the team. Will the Cubs go out and get a veteran backup catcher? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Home Run Derby did not disappoint. Javy Baez hit 16 home runs in the first round, but was out-dueled by Max Muncy of the Dodgers. Kyle Schwarber, however, put on a show that Cubs fans won't soon forget. Sean Sears and I broke it down in the first segment, and then looked ahead to Tuesday night's All-Star game.In the second segment, we talked more about the final round between Schwarber and Bryce Harper and entertained conspiracy theories. And in our final segment, Sean and I shared our top-3 moments from the first half of the season. No doubt, lots of mentions of Baez and the resurgent Jason Heyward. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sean Sears took on Episode 104 all by himself, looking back on the excellent weekend that was for the Cubs. Thanks to the hapless Padres and suddenly hot Pirates, the Cubbies have a 2.5 game lead in the NL Central on the Milwaukee Brewers at the All-Star break. Sean breaks down the Cubs' sweep over the Padres in the first segment.In the second segment, he looked ahead and Javy Baez and Kyle Schwarber in the Home Run Derby, as well as Baez and Willson Contreras taking part in the All-Star Game on Tuesday night. In the third segment, he took a look around the NL Central and the rest of the league, as well. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Cubs were off yesterday, but they still managed to gain a half game on the Brewers thanks to some help from the Pirates. Tonight, the Cubs begin the last series of the first half with a 9:10 pm CST start against the San Diego Padres. Sean Sears and I looked at the pitching matchup, as well as the dreadful Padres offense.We also added more to yesterday's conversation around Brandon Morrow, and in the second segment we discussed possible trade deadline ideas and a strong game at Triple-A by an old friend. In the final segment, we looked at the one NL Central game from yesterday and updated the standings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Cubs lost to the Giants on Wednesday, and once again it was in walk-off fashion in extra innings. Mike Montgomery gave up four runs in the first inning, and the Cubs never fully recovered despite rallying behind homers from Jason Heyward, Javy Baez, and the freshly-returned Kris Bryant. But despite all of that, the Cubs tossed a whole lot of scoreless innings in the game -- which leads us into some bullpen chatter.Not only have the bullpen innings been really spaced out in recent weeks for the Cubs, the Milwaukee Brewers have really abused their best relievers this year. That might make for tired arms in August and September. We finished out looking at the action from the NL Central yesterday and updating the standings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Cubs beat the Giants last night, 2-0. That comes in large part due to a great start from Jose Quintana, who obviously heard us griping about his nibbling on yesterday's podcast. In the first segment, we talked a little about Q before looking ahead to today's rubber-match with the Giants and chatting about Mike Montgomery.In the second segment, Sean and I reminisced about Home Run Derby's of the past and looked ahead to this year's competition. Hint: Two Cubs will be taking part, and we're really excited about it. In the final segment, we looked at Tueday's action in the NL Central -- including a comeback for the ages and a big grand slam for a beloved former Cub. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Cubs lost to the San Francisco Giants late on Monday night, 2-1 in 11 innings. But the good news is that Kyle Hendricks pitched really well, harkening us back to the days of 2016 with his 89-mph fastball and slick changeup combination. In tonight's game, Jose Quintana will try to right the ship a little bit. I welcomed Sean Sears to the podcast to chat a little about Quintana's biggest problem so far this season.In the second segment, we discussed Hendricks and his game before looking ahead to the return of Kris Bryant and the weird way that the Cubs have been dishonest about his injury. In the final segment, we looked around the NL Central and updated the standings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The 2018 All-Stars have been announced, and three Cubs have made the team. It shouldn't be much of a shock that Javy Baez, Willson Contreras, and Jon Lester will be representing the team. But were there other players with a case to be made? Maybe even a snub? Kelly Wallace joins me in the second segment to discuss, plus more Cubs chat.But I kick things off by recapping the action over the weekend against the Cincinnati Reds, and then previewing tonight's game against the San Francisco Giants. In the final segment, I went around the NL Central and updated the standings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices