CubsPS+ - A North Side Numbers Game

Episode 10 - A Sweep, a Look Back and a Look Ahead

In today’s episode, I take a look back at how this Cubs team fell so far early, how they’ve managed to finish strong and then lay out some paths for improvement as the Cubs head into the offseason. Will this be another offseason ending like a Chicago Bears drive in another punt? Or could we see a lineup with star power next year?

Episode 9 - Changing a Game That Doesn’t Change Easy

In today’s episode I do a quick sweep of the last week of Cubs baseball - like the Cubs did in New York - and highlight some fantastic pitching performances.
From there, I jump into the rule changes recently announced by MLB. I talk a walk through the history of baseball rule changes and how change never seems to come easy, but usually seems to stick to become the next generation’s baseline of the good ol’ days.
Here are the written works I reference in this episode:
”But Didn’t We Have Fun” by Peter Morris
”Why Baseball Games are so Damned Long” by Grant Brisbee (SB Nation)
”Here Are 111 Seconds of Pedro Baez Not Pitching” by Jeff Sullivan (FanGraphs)
 

Episode 8 - A Hitting Discussion with Coach Chris Vasami

In this episode, I welcome in my first guest, former pro player and current coach Chris Vasami. In this episode we discuss hitting development, the growth of young players, get his thoughts on the shift and talk about catching up to velocity.
Chris was an All-American in high school, played college baseball at Notre Dame and Elon before being drafted by the Colorado Rockies and spending four years in their system. He’s spent more than 15 years coaching young players. You can learn more about his work atVasamitraining.com.

Episode 7 - The Case (and Price) for Shohei Ohtani

In this episode, I start with a quick summary of the road trip to Milwaukee and Toronto, highlighting Jeremiah Estrada’s major league debut among a few other highlights. Then, around the 4 minute mark, I spend the rest of the episode highlighting why Ohtani is available, why the Cubs should trade for him and what a trade might cost.

Episode 6 - Dreams, Dads and Raising the Floor

This installment comes after a lost week to some superbug we’re affectionately calling “camp crud” took the host down for a week. I describe my own connections to the Field of Dreams game, albeit a bit late and talk about how Jed Hoyer and the Cubs have been steadily raising the talent level floor on this team and how they may raise the ceiling this offseason. Thanks for listening!

Episode 5 - Vin Scully, Trade Deadline and a Roster Crunch

The episode starts with a tribute to the late, great Vin Scully, who passed last week. The discussion moves to the trade deadline - who the Cubs traded, who they didn’t and who they got back and then closes with what to look for the rest of the season. There will be a roster crunch the rest of the way.
NOTE: Post production, the Cubs announced that Jason Heyward would remain an inactive player the rest of this season and then be released in the offseason. This episode discusses releasing Heyward related to the roster crunch.
 

Episode 4 - Streaks, Goodbye Willson and the Rise of Nico Hoerner

The Cubs head to San Francisco riding a 6-game and 2-sweep winning streak, but will likely be saying goodbye to some beloved players at the deadline for the 2nd year in a row. We deep-dive into Nico’s offensive rise, comparing him to a Cub great from the past.

Episode 3 - Stranded Zombies

Looking back from the All Star break, this episode breaks down the Cubs situational hitting and continued offensive struggles in extra innings.

Episode 2 - As Losses Mount, Strengths Appear

Having lost 7 straight games, the Cubs approach the All Star break with clear weaknesses and clear pieces that could be a part of a winning future.

Episode 1 - Who is trade bait?

This podcast takes a look back at last year’s trade activity and the potential for trades this year. What impact could potential deals have on the Cubs rebuilding process?