North Side Baseball Podcast

The Cubs (again) jumped out to an early lead against the Brewers, and (again) gave up the lead in the bottom of the first. With their backs now against the wall, the team returns to Chicago and Wrigley Field for game three.

Craig Counsell and the Cubs were roughed up from the get-go in the first game of the National League Divisional Series against the Brewers. While Matthew Boyd and Michael Soroka struggled, Aaron Civale pitched important innings to keep the Cubs bullpen fresh for later in the series.

Mitch and Jason break down the winner-take-all game three against the Padres, and look forward to the Brewers series, which starts in Milwaukee on Saturday.

Mitch, Jason, and Brock talk about the Cubs being shut out against Dylan Cease and the Padres, forcing an elimination game three on Thursday at Wrigley Field.

Mitch and Jason are joined by Brock Beauchamp as they break down the Cubs' crucial game one win against the Padres.

Kyle Tucker is back in Chicago, and Jed Hoyer said Tuesday the hope is to have him for a couple of regular-season games before the playoffs. Where's your concern level with Tucker? Should Daniel Palencia take over as closer upon returning? Are the Cubs and Padres on a collision course?

Nico Hoerner has been an underrated star for the Cubs all season. How valuable will he be come postseason time? Who should the Cubs' number two starter in the playoffs be? Does Michael Soroka have a role in the bullpen when the postseason begins?

With Daniel Palencia on the shelf and it being unknown if he'll be back for the postseason, who steps up in the Cubs' bullpen? What's the data say about the year Carson Kelly has had?

What do the additions of Carlos Santana and Aaron Civale do for the Cubs? Will either make the postseason roster? What's the data saying about Pete Crow-Armstrong? Let's look at the playoff picture!

Cade Horton continues to dazzle on the bump for the Cubs. Is Kyle Tucker waking up? The schedule remains light for Chicago moving ahead. Can they capitalize?

Some of the critical pieces of the lineup for Craig Counsell have been slumping. Who is the most concerning of the bunch and the least concerning? Is the rotation sustainable for a postseason run? Let's talk Matt Shaw!

Michael Soroka landed on the IL with a shoulder injury after just two innings with the Cubs. How worried should everyone be? Reaction to the trade deadline and what Jed Hoyer did and didn't do. What's going on with Kyle Tucker? Let's take a look at the playoff picture!

 Is Ian Happ a victim of bad luck at the plate this year, or are there deeper issues going on? Is Cade Horton figuring it out? Plenty of Cubs trade deadline talk too!

Craig Counsell has made a switch at the top of the lineup. What do we think about it? Ben Brown struggled again but what do the numbers say? The division race between Chicago and Milwaukee is just heating up.

After a tremendous first half, Matthew Boyd has been named an All-Star for the first time! Boyd makes it three Cubs selected but were Seiya Suzuki and Michael Busch snubbed? How good is Daniel Palencia?

How are we feeling about the Cubs after a 13-13 month of June? Michael Busch isn't getting enough credit for his incredible season. We talk trades and trade ideas and discuss the worrisome nature of Chicago's bench.

Ian Happ has been the model of consistency in Chicago and that's no different this year. The Cubs have struggled against lefties in the last month. How concerning is the trend? What will be the corresponding move when Shota Imanaga returns on Thursday?

Chicago used its pitching to take three of four from Pittsburgh over the weekend. What arms stood out? Early All-Star results are in with Pete Crow-Armstrong and Kyle Tucker leading the way in the National League outfield. Is Ryan Pressly back, and we take a look at the Cubs-Brewers series.

Daniel Palencia has ran with the opportunity to close games for the Cubs. Should he be the guy moving forward? Is a 10+ WAR season in the cards for Pete Crow-Armstrong? What do we make of Cade Horton's season so far and what can be expected moving forward?

Ryan Pressly has appeared to turn a corner but what do the numbers say? A hat tip to the season Nico Hoerner is putting together so far and a look at the upcoming schedule for the Cubs.

Matt Shaw is starting to figure it out at the plate in his second stint with the Cubs this year. What's up with the home run problem for Jameson Taillon? Is Seiya Suzuki going to be an All-Star?

The Cubs finished up a sweep of the White Sox on Sunday and called up on of their top prospects in Matt Shaw on Monday for another go. What do we make of Kenta Maeda's minor-league deal and what's the current state of the bullpen?

Cade Horton made his highly anticipated MLB debut for the Cubs over the weekend. What did we make of it? How has PCA handled duties at the top of the order and where would the rotation be without Matthew Boyd?

The Cubs will have to make a move in the rotation after Shota Imanaga ended up on the shelf. All signs point towards Cade Horton and a potential debut this weekend against the Mets. Is Pete Crow-Armstrong a runaway All-Star at this point in the season? What do we make of Dansby Swanson's hot streak since moving down in the order?

Michael Busch has quietly put together a strong first month. How much of it is sustainable and at minimum is he better than we expected? Jason gives a good look at what's going on for the Cubs prospects in the minors and what has stood out to us so far in the MLB season?