Cubs Now

Frank Schwindel stops by the Cubs Weekly Podcast to share what he's been up to the last 2 years since he left Chicago and how his baseball career has panned out. Schwindel reflects back on his incredible run in the final 2 months of the 2021 season, when he batted .342 and led the majors in hits. What clicked in that moment to put together such an amazing stretch? How much fun was that season and...

The Cubs' playoff hopes have dwindled and we turn our attention to other pressing matters surrounding this team over the final 10 games. Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki provide their initial thoughts on why the Cubs came up short this year and explain why Isaac Paredes, Pete Crow-Armstrong and Cody Bellinger are the key players to watch down the stretch. Plus, what does the future hold for Kyle He...

Cubs icon Derrek Lee was in town at Wrigley Field recently and stopped by the Cubs Weekly Podcast to chat with Tony Andracki. They covered a wide array of topics, including: -Favorite memories of the newest Cubs Hall of Famers: Kerry Wood and Aramis Ramírez -What he's been up to in retirement -Reflecting back on playing at Wrigley and in front of Cubs fans -The monumental MVP caliber 2005 season -...

Shota Imanaga, Nate Pearson, Porter Hodge, Miguel Amaya and the Cubs combined to make history Wednesday night at Wrigley Field, throwing the 18th no-hitter in team history. Tony Andracki, Andy Martínez and Alex Cohen, who called the no-no, broke it all down on the Cubs Weekly Podcast. The trio shared their favorite moments from the epic game, including some fun anecdotes. Cohen shared his story of...

The Cubs pulled off their win of the season - and one of the best wins in the last decade - Wednesday to finish off a sweep of the Pirates in Pittsburgh. Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki recap the wild week, The Christian Bethancourt Game and explain what it all means for the Cubs in the playoff race. The Cubs are now 16-8 in August and a big reason for that success has been the performance from th...

It was a busy week at Wrigley Field as Héctor Neris was released and Javy Báez made his return to the North Side. What was behind the Neris move and what does that mean for the rest of the bullpen? Does it say anything about the final month-plus of the Cubs season? Are there more moves along those lines coming? Our panel of Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki break it all down on the latest Cubs Weekl...

The Cubs are making a run at a final National League Wild-Card spot and with a little over 6 weeks left in the 2024 season, we run down why there are legitimate reasons for optimism with the Cubs. On the other hand, are there reasons for pessimism? Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki discuss recent trends with this team and what the series in Cleveland actually means. Plus, Doug Glanville analyzes Pet...

The Cubs wrapped up a successful, 5-2 homestand against the Cardinals and Twins and Tony Andracki and Andy Martínez broke down on the Cubs Weekly Podcast. The duo debate whether the Cubs have one final push for a playoff spot left in them after moving to 6 games back in the Wild Card and 3 games under .500 with about 7 weeks to play. Before Wednesday’s finale against the Twins the Cubs had a 5.9%...

The trade deadline came and went with the Cubs making just three moves — trading for Nate Pearson, Isaac Paredes and minor leaguers Ben Cowles and Jack Neely and sending out Mark Leiter Jr., Christopher Morel, Hunter Bigge and three minor-leaguers. Elise Menaker and Andy Martínez broke down the three deals and why the Cubs were relatively quiet this deadline and whether or not the team is punting...

Many around baseball expected the Cubs to be sellers at the 2024 MLB trade deadline but their first 2 moves actually enhanced the big-league roster. From the Christopher Morel for Isaac Paredes deal to acquiring pitcher Nate Pearson, the Cubs have improved their roster for 2024 and also beyond. Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki break down the moves, why the Cubs dealt away Morel and how Paredes repr...

The Cubs are in an interesting position entering the 2024 MLB trade deadline. What should they do?   Joe Girardi, Taylor McGregor, Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki discuss all the options in front of the Cubs and how they see things playing out for Jed Hoyer's front office.   Our panel also reacts to Hoyer's public comments about his approach to the deadline, break down the homestand (inc...

Vice president of scouting Dan Kantrovitz joins the Cubs Weekly Podcast to chat with Lance Brozdowski and Tony Andracki about the team's 2024 MLB Draft. From top pick Cam Smith to 2nd-rounder Cole Mathis to some surprises along the way, Kantrovitz explains the Cubs' approach to this year's Draft and how it played out for the organization.  Plus, we look back on past drafts, as Kantrovitz anal...

Journeyman pitcher Dan Straily joined Lance Brozdowski on the latest Cubs Weekly Podcast. Straily is a veteran pitcher currently pitching for the Cubs' Triple-A affiliate in Iowa. The former Cub was part of several big trades in franchise history - once acquired in the Jeff Samardzija/Addison Russell deal with the Oakland A's and later traded for Dexter Fowler. Straily chats about the place analyt...

Former Cy Young winner Rick Sutcliffe stopped by the Cubs Weekly Podcast with hosts Tony Andracki and Andy Martínez. The “Red Baron” reflected on Ryne Sandberg’s new statue unveiled at Gallagher Way. Sutcliffe shared stories about his former teammate, including car rides to Wrigley Field and spending time in meetings with Lou Piniella after their playing days ended. The 1979 Rookie of the Year the...

Elise Menaker joins Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki on the latest Cubs Weekly Podcast to discuss her career journey to this point and being a part in a historic Cubs broadcast on Marquee.   Plus, why does it feel like every Cubs game is Groundhog Day right now? What does the offense do to get out of this 2-month-long funk?   Our panel analyzes the recent stretch and what to make of this...

As the Cubs reach the midpoint in the 2024 season, the Cubs Weekly Podcast tries to answer a critical question — is this who the Cubs are? Andy Martínez and Joe Girardi discuss what the Cubs can do to right the ship. The pair break down some of the Cubs’ offensive woes and how a good stretch can help turn a team. Girardi offers some insight of the benefits and downsides of trying to fire up a team...

The word of the day is "redemption" for the Chicago Cubs. Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki break down the Cubs' big series win over the Giants and how they got to that point, including clutch performances from Kyle Hendricks and Dansby Swanson. The offense is showing signs of life, the starting rotation continues to excel but the bullpen has been a pain point, especially lately. Martínez and Andrac...

On the latest edition of the Cubs Weekly Podcast, Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki address the biggest issues facing the Chicago Cubs over the last month-plus. When is it time for fans to panic and when does it stop being "too early" to draw conclusions about a team? Our podcast duo drills down on the Cubs' offensive inconsistencies, the bullpen concerns, the collective fielding slump and how all a...

Former big-league catcher and manager Joe Girardi drops by the Cubs Weekly Podcast for a chat on the Wintrust Crosstown Series and a refreshing attitude from the current players on the rivalry. Girardi shared some of his best pranks as a manager and his memories of Ryne Sandberg, plus his overall thoughts on the 2024 Cubs during the first two months of the season. Girardi and Tony Andracki also br...

Rookie pitcher Ben Brown stops by the Cubs Weekly Podcast for a conversation about his big-league career to date, including his historic start Tuesday night in Milwaukee. Brown touched on a variety of topics from the unique ways he works to recover and keep himself healthy to the players that have had an impact on him early in his career and the advice they've shared that has stuck. Plus, Taylor "...

The Chicago Cubs are moving Kyle Hendricks to the bullpen, creating a bit of an awkward situation around a veteran who has pitched so many big games for the franchise in the last decade-plus. Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki analyze the move and what it means for the rest of the Cubs pitching staff. Plus, what will the team do to fix the slumping offense and what can Luis Vázquez provide the big-le...

The Cubs are playing a game of Jenga with their bullpen lately, searching for any combination of healthy arms that doesn't cause the precarious structure to topple.   Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki are joined by former pitcher Sean Marshall to discuss the potential avenues for how the Cubs can resolve their bullpen concerns and what the team can do to rise above the insane number of injuries...

It was a big week for the Cubs as they welcomed back both Justin Steele and Cody Bellinger from the IL while Seiya Suzuki is not far behind. Our panel of Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki analyze what Bellinger's return means for the Cubs lineup, how the team's rotation has been performing lately - particularly Shota Imanaga - and what to make of the bullpen. Plus, Doug Glanville stops by the podcas...

The Cubs had the most wins in an April since 2016 while dealing with plenty of adversity. The team has put up a successful month despite everything and the Cubs Weekly Podcast breaks it all down. As the calendar turns to May, the Cubs face offensive and defensive struggles, seven players on the injured list but continue to churn out wins. Andy Martínez and Cliff Floyd discuss the effect manager Cr...

The injuries just keep coming for the Cubs. Cody Bellinger, Kyle Hendricks and Drew Smyly are all on the IL now and young players like Alexander Canario, Matt Mervis and Pete Crow-Armstrong will have to step up for the team. Yet, the Cubs just keep right on winning. Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki analyze the aftermath of the Cubs' recent string of injuries and what comes next for the team. ...