Off The Ivy: A Chicago Cubs Podcast

Was Nico Hoerner robbed of a stolen base? The most controversial moment from the Cubs vs. Orioles game, Nico Hoerner was ruled out at second after a replay review, despite many believing Gunnar Henderson blocked the bag and forced Hoerner off the base. Cubs manager Craig Counsell didn't hold back after the game, calling the replay process "illogical" and questioning why the potential obstruction w...

In this episode, we break down how PCA became the first player in Major League Baseball this season to reach the 20 home run and 20 stolen base milestone , cementing himself as a clear NL MVP candidate. From elite defense to game-changing speed and surprising power, Crow-Armstrong is putting together a historic season that has Cubs fans dreaming big. We'll look at his incredible season so far, and...

The Chicago Cubs kept their momentum rolling with a 5-2 victory over the Baltimore Orioles, and veteran left-hander Matthew Boyd was the biggest reason why. Boyd delivered one of his strongest outings of the season, attacking hitters with excellent command, changing speeds effectively, and keeping Baltimore's lineup off balance from the first pitch. His ability to work efficiently, limit hard cont...

The Chicago Cubs head into the final road trip before the All-Star break with a chance to build momentum and strengthen their position in the standings. First, they'll take on the Baltimore Orioles before wrapping up the first half of the season with a crucial division showdown against the Cincinnati Reds. Can the Cubs finish the first half on a high note? We'll break down the biggest storylines,...

The Chicago Cubs dropped a disappointing home series this weekend to their longtime rivals, the St. Louis Cardinals. We'll break down what went wrong, the biggest moments from the series, and what the Cubs need to do to get back on track as the All-Star break gets closer. There was at least one bright spot for Cubs fans: Pete Crow-Armstrong was officially named a National League All-Star reserve,...

The Cubs brought the fireworks to Wrigley! Chicago completed a dominant sweep of the San Diego Padres, crushing EIGHT home runs in the series finale and sending a message to the rest of the National League. With those eight homers, the Cubs have now hit 13 in the last two games. Dansby Swanson led the charge with an incredible THREE home runs, delivering one of the best offensive performances of t...

Pete Crow-Armstrong just wrapped up a HISTORIC month of June! From elite defense to clutch hits and game-changing moments, PCA continues to establish himself as one of baseball's brightest young stars. We break down the numbers, the milestones, and why this month could be remembered as the greatest month ever by a Chicago Cub. We also recap the Cubs' latest series win, as they take another series...

Seiya Suzuki came through in the biggest moment once again! With the game on the line, Suzuki delivered a clutch walk-off hit off one of baseball's toughest closers, Mason Miller, to lift the Chicago Cubs to a thrilling victory over the San Diego Padres. It was another reminder of why Suzuki has become one of the Cubs' most reliable hitters in high-pressure situations. In this episode, we break do...

The Chicago Cubs pulled off one of their biggest wins of the season, rallying for a dramatic 4-3 extra-inning victory over the Milwaukee Brewers to take the series in enemy territory. After being held in check most of the afternoon, the Cubs came alive in the 10th inning with clutch at-bats from Michael Busch and Seiya Suzuki before surviving a wild bottom half of the inning to seal an unforgettab...

The Cubs complete the season series sweep of the Mets in dramatic fashion! Pete Crow-Armstrong delivered another game-winning hit in extra innings as Chicago finished off a perfect season series against New York. The loss caps off a disappointing stretch for the Mets and ultimately leads to the dismissal of manager Carlos Mendoza. That's what happens when you can't hit off Phil Maton and the rest...

The Cubs just swept the Mets in a dramatic doubleheader—and then went right back to doing business with New York. With all the injuries to the Chicago Cubs pitching staff, Jed Hoyer couldn't sit on his hands any longer. Following Chicago's big day against the Mets, the Cubs have reportedly traded top prospect Cole Mathis for left-handed pitcher David Peterson. In this episode: • Full breakdown of...

The Cubs picked up a huge win over the Mets last night, powered by monster home runs from Pete Crow-Armstrong and Dansby Swanson! But while the offense delivered, the celebration was short-lived. Edward Cabrera left the game with a hamstring injury sustained while covering first base, and if he's forced to miss significant time, it could be another devastating blow to a Cubs pitching staff that ha...

With another Cubs game postponed, Cody, Dan, and Matt opened today's show celebrating the anniversary of one of the most unforgettable performances in baseball history—Ryne Sandberg's legendary game on June 23, 1984. Known forever as "The Sandberg Game," this classic matchup between the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals showcased Sandberg's incredible talent, determination, and clutch hitting....

The Chicago Cubs looked poised to secure a big win against the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday, but another bullpen collapse turned a promising afternoon into a frustrating loss. In this episode, we break down what went wrong in the late innings, the key moments that shifted the game, and why the Cubs' relief corps continues to be a major concern. With the season moving into a critical stretch, the...

The Chicago Cubs begin a crucial home series against the Toronto Blue Jays at Wrigley Field today, and the stakes are starting to rise as the trade deadline gets closer. The Cubs have shown flashes of being a contender, but if this season is going to be worth investing in, the veteran core has to lead the way. The Blue Jays arrive in Chicago for a three-game series beginning Friday as both teams t...

The Chicago Cubs secured back-to-back series wins with another victory over the Colorado Rockies, and this one featured some much-needed offensive contributions from key players. Dansby Swanson finally broke through at the plate, providing a spark the Cubs offense has been searching for. After a slow stretch, Swanson's bat came alive at the perfect time as Chicago continues to build momentum. Mean...

The Chicago Cubs hit a new low with an embarrassing loss to the Colorado Rockies last night, raising even more questions about where this season is headed. From missed opportunities at the plate and more injuries to the pitching staff, the Cubs once again failed to take care of business against one of baseball's worst teams. How concerned should Cubs fans be? Is this just another bump in the road,...

In this episode, Dan, Cody, and Matt break down PCA hitting for the CYCLE as the Chicago Cubs stormed back to beat the Colorado Rockies in one of their most exciting yet frustrating games of the season. The Cubs went 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position and left 15 runners on base and somehow managed to win the ballgame. From the single that completed the cycle to the late-inning comeback, we...

The Chicago Cubs finally have something to celebrate. After more than a month of frustration, missed opportunities, and a seemingly endless stretch of disappointing baseball, the Cubs have won a series for the first time since May 6th. We break down what went right this weekend, the key performances that helped Chicago get back on track, and whether this series victory can serve as a turning point...

The Cubs avoided a disastrous road trip by salvaging the final game of their series in Colorado, but questions still remain. After another inconsistent series against the Rockies, Chicago heads to San Francisco looking for something that's been hard to come by lately: a series victory. In this episode, Dan and Cody break down what went right in the Cubs' bounce-back win at Coors Field, the continu...

After another disappointing loss to the Colorado Rockies, the Cubs have now dropped 9 of their last 10 series and watched their record fall back to .500. What has gone wrong for a team that looked like one of the hottest clubs in baseball earlier this season? In today's episode, we break down another frustrating night in Colorado, the continued offensive struggles, pitching concerns, and why this...

Have the Chicago Cubs hit rock bottom? In a new low Tuesday night, the Cubs got completely embarrassed by the Colorado Rockies in a game that exposed every flaw on the roster. From poor pitching to an offense that failed to deliver in key moments, the Cubs were outplayed in every phase by one of baseball's worst teams. How concerning is this loss? Is it just one bad night, or a sign of bigger prob...

The Chicago Cubs open a crucial road series in Colorado looking to finally turn things around after WEEKS of frustration. Despite remaining in the playoff hunt, the Cubs have not won a series since May 6th before they eventually swept the Reds, and the pressure is beginning to mount as they search for answers. In this episode, we break down what's gone wrong during the Cubs' recent stretch, why th...

Dan Bernstein and Matt Abbatacola break down another frustrating Cubs loss as Chicago drops an extra-innings heartbreaker, 2–1, to the Giants—losing yet another home series in the process. The guys dive into the growing concerns around Alex Bregman, who’s struggled mightily since signing his five-year, $175 million deal, and what it means for the Cubs’ lineup moving forward. They also discuss a ma...

The Chicago Cubs snapped their eight-game home losing streak in dramatic fashion, as Pete Crow-Armstrong delivered a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth to secure a 7–6 win over the Athletics. It marked the first walk-off hit of PCA’s career, capping a big day that also included his 50th career home run. The moment served as redemption after he lost a ball in the lights earlier, allowing tw...