Cubs Talk Podcast

Kris Bryant is out of the lineup for the fourth straight game Friday afternoon after getting hit in the face with a 96 mph pitch Sunday in Colorado. Is there any cause for long-term concern? Doug Glanville, Kelly Crull and Tony Andracki discuss the latest with Bryant, who is making some changes to his in-game protection after this incident. Plus, Glanville explains how a player gets over the menta...

David Kaplan, Kelly Crull and Tony Andracki sit down and discuss Cubs star Javy Baez and his transformation from Puerto Rican HS star to MLB star and the trials and tribulations he has faced and still faces as one of baseball's flashiest players.

It was a wild week in the world of Cubdom that included wacky weather, a comeback for the ages, some drama with the Pirates and a debate about who should be the leadoff hitter - Ian Happ or Albert Almora Jr. The NBC Sports Chicago crew of David Kaplan, Kelly Crull, Leila Rahimi and Tony Andracki break down all things Cubs and give their prediction on how the next week will play out.

David Kaplan and David DeJesus recap Yu Darvish’s Wrigley Field debut and try to figure out what’s wrong with the newly signed pitcher. Should he focus on his fastball or slider? Plus, the guys discuss the Javy Baez-Clint Hurdle back-and-forth after Joe Maddon weighed in.`

Doug Glanville, Leila Rahimi and Jon Graff are joined by Tony Andracki at Wrigley Field after Javy Baez unloads on the Pirates Manager.

Kelly Crull and Tony Andracki break down the Cubs’ four-game series against the Marlins to open the 2018 season, including the finale Sunday in which the Cubs were shut out despite having a fantastic day at the plate. Plus, what is there to make of the pitching staff so far with a lack of length from the starters and a surprising stress on the bullpen? What positives are there to take with this te...

David Kaplan, Kelly Crull, Tony Andracki and Jon Graff get together to preview the Cubs' 2018 season while providing their predictions for how the season will play out. Will the Cubs win the division and if so, by how many games? Will Kyle Schwarber hit more than 30 homers? Who will be the Cubs' team MVP? What starting pitcher will emerge as the team's ace by season's end?

After acquiring free agent starters Yu Darvish and Tyler Chatwood, do the 2018 Cubs have the best rotation in Chicago baseball history? Dan Plesac from MLB Network joins Luke Stuckmeyer on the latest CubsTalk Podcast to discuss that and more before the season starts on Thursday.

Between more power in the rotation and more strike-throwing in the bullpen, the Cubs were decisive in how they wanted to remake their pitching staff entering the 2018 season. GM Jed Hoyer sits down with David Kaplan to explain the thought process of the front office over the winter.

Anthony Rizzo sits down with The Kapman and dishes on such topics as the tough times facing his hometown, World Series expectations in 2018, how this Cubs team compares to the Blackhawks dynasty and his shocking pick for the Cubs pitcher with the best stuff.

With Jake Arrieta inking a three-year deal worth $75 million, should the Cubs have tried for that same contract for the 2015 NL Cy Young Winner? Or are the Cubs still in a perfect spot with the Yu Darvish deal? Plus, who will be the Cubs’ 2018 MVP and what will the exact Opening Day lineup look like?

Just three weeks away from opening and Jake Arrieta needs a home. Who’s the leader in the clubhouse to sign the former Cubs CY Young Award winner? Jon Graff, Chris Kamka and Kelly Crull are weighing the odds for Arrieta’s potential landing spot with the help of Bovada’s Head Oddsmaker Pat Morrow. (Courtesy of Bovada.lv) Who will Jake Arietta sign his next MLB contract with? Milwaukee Brewers 7/4 W...

How will Joe Maddon find enough playing time for everybody in the Cubs lineup in 2018? With Ian Happ doing his best to force the issue, does that mean Jason Heyward could find himself on the bench more often? David Kaplan, Kelly Crull and Tony Andracki discuss the Cubs’ roster puzzle – from the lineup to the bullpen to the potential for a six-man starting rotation. Plus, the crew gives its take on...

The Cubs super rotation has been set and Jon Lester receives the honor of starting opening day. David Kaplan and Kelly Crull discuss if the Cubs starting 5 is not only the best in franchise history, but the best in baseball right now. Plus after watching Joe Maddon’s crew up close and personal for 2 weeks in Mesa, Kelly discusses the refreshed focus and hunger the Cubs are displaying on a daily ba...

Spring training baseball games are up around the bend, but before boys of summer get into organized action Kelly Crull sat down with 2 of the team’s new coaches Chili Davis and Jim Hickey. Vinnie Duber joined Kelly to discuss these baseball conversations including the memorable first words of Kyle Schwarber to Chili Davis, “I don’t suck!”

Jon Lester has arrived at Cubs camp, and he’s pleased with the new-look rotation full of potential aces. Kelly Crull and Vinnie Duber discuss the 5-man unit, and where Mike Montgomery fits into the Cubs’ plans. Plus, Kelly and Vinnie talk Jason Heyward and Kyle Schwarber, along with the continuing free agent stalemate surrounding Jake Arrieta.

Day 2 is in the books and Cubs players continue to react to the acquisition of Yu Darvish. Kelly Crull and Jesse Rogers discuss the Yu Darvish effect and the fact that teammates and coaches believe the best of Darvish is yet to come. Plus the odd-man out in the starting rotation Mike Montgomery deals with losing his opportunity to be a regular member of the Starting 5.

A brand new era is underway for the Chicago Cubs after introducing Yu Darvish the new ace of their staff. Kelly Crull, Jesse Rogers, and David Kaplan give their instant reaction to the newly signed 6-year contract. Kelly and Jesse take a deep dive into the financials that help ink the Cubs new strikeout machine, and The Kapman talks about the massive chip that Darvish has on his shoulder after his...

“There Yu go Cub Fans!” that’s what Jim Deshaies tweeted after learning the Cubs agreed to a deal with Yu Darvish. The NBC Sports Chicago Cubs color analyst joins David Kaplan and Jon Graff to discuss the major move made by Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer. JD also discusses his top storylines for the Cubs entering spring training including who will be the Cubs everyday centerfielder. Plus in our entert...

Who are the Top 5 Cubs players of your lifetime? David Kaplan, Kelly Crull, Tony Andracki and Jon Graff provide their lists, with names like Sammy Sosa, Mark Grace, Andre Dawson, Ryne Sandberg and Ernie Banks cracking the list. How would this list look 20 years in the future? The panel also tries to predict the Top 5 Cubs of all-time if the list were being made in 2038.

Frederic - aka the Cubs' Director of Morale (DOM) - takes part in the first edition of #BattleKap, debating David Kaplan on all things Cubs, from Jason Heyward to Jake Arrieta to Yu Darvish to Kyle Schwarber.

With the Hall of Fame taking the baseball world by storm, the trio of David Kaplan, Kelly Crull and Tony Andracki discuss who might be the next Cubs player to enter the game's most prestigious club.

Another week has gone by and still no flurry of signings in Major League Baseball. The Cubs have added some catching depth, but beyond that, their roster appears set until the top three pitchers on the market – Jake Arrieta, Yu Darvish and Alex Cobb – finally reach an agreement with a team. But will that happen before spring training? And are the Cubs guaranteed to get one of those top starters? D...

ESPN’s Jesse Rogers stops by the CubsTalk Podcast to chat with Kelly Crull and Tony Andracki about his new book on Joe Maddon. The trio also debate whether Maddon’s tactics get stale and how the new coaching staff will affect the season. Plus, who should hit leadoff? Fans are all in on Albert Almora Jr., but that might not be the best option. And whose side do you take in the Willson Contreras-Yad...

The NBCS Chicago Cubs team of Kelly Crull, Tony Andracki, Jon Graff, Matt Buckman and Scott Changnon rattle off their main takeaways from the weekend’s Cubs Convention, including the funniest moments and how the players engaged with fans and each other throughout the three days at the Sheraton Grand Chicago. Plus, which players – besides Kyle Schwarber – made the most of the offseason and primed f...