CubsPS+ - A North Side Numbers Game

Episode 28 - International Baseball & The World Baseball Classic

Did you try watching the KBO during the COVID shutdown? Are you excited about the WBC? This is your episode. I’m thrilled to welcome avid international baseball following @InfieldFlyGrl to talk about baseball around the globe and the WBC. Baseball is fun - and the whole world knows it.
All things World Baseball Classic: https://www.mlb.com/world-baseball-classic
International Baseball Streaming Guide: https://wordsabovereplacement.com/streaming-guide/ 

Episode 27 - Offseason Gains, Error Bars & PECOTA Projections

Welcome in to Episode 27! Spring is here! Well, sort of…in some places. With the Cubs heading into game action this weekend, it’s time to start thinking about what the Cubs will be this season. Seiya and Morel are huge, Bellinger took Smyly deep to left center today and Willson Contreras is getting under Cub fans’ skin already. Today I hit all that, talk about Happ & Hoerner contract extensions and spend some time looking into the newly released PECOTA projections and how the NL Central race is looking.
 
Are you ready? I’m ready.
 
Here. We. Go!

Episode 26 - Dexter Fowler - You Go We Go

Let’s reflect on Dexter Fowler’s short, but really impactful time with the Cubs. He was a really valuable player offensively and defensively on both the 2015 and 2016 teams, probably no moment greater than his leadoff home run in Game 7 of the 2016 World Series.
This week, I talk about what Dexter did in Chicago and compare him to other short-term (3 seasons or less with the Cubs) additions the Cubs have made in the divisional era going back to 1969. Where do I rank Dexter? Tune in and let’s find out.
 
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Bonus Episode - My Guest Appearance on the Son Ranto Show: Leadoff Lottery

I’m cross-posting this episode of the Son Ranto Show after joining the crew for a guest appearance this week.
Son Ranto is one of my favorite Cubs podcasts and Danny Rockett was very generous to bring me on. It’s always a great time and this episode was no exception.
This episode reflects on the retirement of Dexter Fowler and where he stands among Cubs leadoff hitters over the past few decades. I join in the 2nd segment (at the 45:15 mark) to talk about mental skills after my last episode interviewing the Cubs’ David da Silva and in the end we get into some of my process. They wrap up the third segment discussing their good, bad and ugly Cubs uniforms.
I highly recommend giving this podcast a listen if you haven’t. It’s the longest running Cubs podcast (and I’m probably the shortest). You can find them on YouTube (live at 8 pm Central most Thursdays) and all the major podcast services. You can also go to https://SonRanto.com. The podcast (@SonRantoShow) and the three hosts are active on social media:
Danny Rockett: @dannyrockett and/or @SonRantoShow on most platforms
Michael Cotton: Reddit.com/r/sonranto
InfieldFlyGirl: @InfieldFlyGirl on most platforms

Episode 25 - Talking Mental Skills with David da Silva

This week, I was joined by David da Silva, Mental Skills Coordinator for the Cubs. David talked me through the Cubs mental skills program and we talked about how he tries to give players the tools they need to handle so many situations that come up – the pressure of a big spot, the long mental grind of a season, and how to deal mentally with injuries.
You can find David on Twitter @DaviddaSilva99, Instagram @ddasilva99 and on LinkedIn.

Episode 24 - Post CubsCon Thoughts and a Braves Fan Look at Dansby

Welcome in to Episode 24! I’m jealous of all of you who were able to make it to the Cubs Convention last week, it looked like a really good time and I hope I can join y’all next year. Today, I’m going to talk about a few of my convention takeaways and then change it up a little by bringing in Lance Rafdal, a lifelong Braves fan, to talk about Dansby Swanson. If you enjoy my guest episodes, there will be several more in the coming weeks while we work through the rest of the offseason.

Episode 23 - Hosmer, Pitching & Defense

Welcome in to Episode 23 - the Ryne Sandberg episode here to liven up a dead week in January! The offseason really does seem like it’s starting to wind down - which is fine with me, I’m ready for spring training. In this episode, I’ll talk about the most recent addition — 1B Eric Hosmer — and dive a little deeper into defensive metrics now that it’s abundantly clear that the Cubs are lining up the pitching and defense game for 2023.

Episode 22 - The 5 Biggest Cubs Moves of 2022

Welcome in to Episode 22! It’s been a crazy couple weeks since I last recorded – I’ve traveled across the country and halfway back, celebrated Chanukah and Christmas and watched the Cubs FINALLY land a big fish all while Carlos Correa agreed to terms with at least two teams and saw those deals fall apart. Jed’s plan is becoming more and more clear (whether it’s a good enough plan remains to be seen) and I talk about recent moves play into that plan.
The bulk of this episode, though, will focus on on what I think were the Top 5 most impactful moves the Cubs made in 2022. As we look back one more time before stepping into 2023, what do you think were the biggest moves of the last year?

Episode 21 - What’s the Plan?

Well, we’re STILL waiting. This week, I talk about the stall, why star power matters and what paths are still available for the Cubs. We could be traveling right along Jed Hoyer’s preferred path or we might be watching live as Jed struggles to adjust to a rapidly changing free agent market. What kind of hopes remain for Cub fans as we head into the holidays? Let’s dive in.

Episode 20 - Well, We’re Waiting!

It’s been quite a week for Cubs fans – the Cubs got out of the gates quick in the Winter Meetings with a couple early signings, but the week was mostly rumors, reports about reports and waiting. The waiting is definitely the hardest part. This week I talk about the waiting, why we’re all waiting and how I read the tea leaves on what has been a tense off season.