Windy City Breakdown

Pete Crow-Armstrong has been on another level for a month-and-a-half, begging the question: Did the Cubs actually fleece him in the $115 million contract extension they signed him to before the 2026 season? Crow-Armstrong's hot stretch and eye-popping skillset was a main topic of conversation on the latest Windy City Breakdown Podcast as hosts Tony Andracki, Kyle Millinowisch and Zoe Grossman disc...

The Cubs could put together a very strong pitching staff just with all the guys on the injured list. Ben Brown, Edward Cabrera and key relievers have all landed on the shelf over the last week, putting the Cubs in a bit of a bid. Andy Martínez, Tony Andracki and Kyle Millinowisch discuss all the pitching injuries on the Windy City Breakdown Podcast and how the Cubs weather the storm. The panel als...

The Cubs just finished up the easiest stretch of their schedule, where they went 6-6 against two of the worst teams in baseball (Giants, Rockies). Despite Pete Crow-Armstrong's superstar hot streak, the offense still can't find its way with runners in scoring position and the pitching staff continues to deal with a litany of injuries. Andy Martínez, Tony Andracki and Kyle Millinowisch welcome Zoe...

The Cubs were the best team in baseball through their first 39 games. But in the 30 games since then, they were among the worst teams in baseball with an 8-22 record. How did that happen? Why has the season gone sideways? The Bigs' Eugene McIntosh joins Andy Martínez, Tony Andracki and Kyle Millinowisch on the Windy City Breakdown podcast to attempt to answer those questions -- the biggest questio...

The Cubs are getting some reinforcements back on the pitching staff with Matthew Boyd and Edward Cabrera set to return in the next week or so. But how effective will they be? And who will get bumped from the rotation? One pitcher who looks like a sure thing to stick around is Ben Brown, who may actually be the Cubs' best bet for an All-Star next month. Andy Martínez, Tony Andracki and Kyle Millino...

FINALLY. It happened. The Cubs won a game. After a brutal 10-game slog, the Chicago Cubs came out victorious in Pittsburgh, halting the franchise's toughest stretch since that fateful losing streak in the summer of 2021. Andy Martínez, Tony Andracki and Kyle Millinowisch discuss the latest streak on the Windy City Breakdown Podcast and try to make sense of a team that put up a pair of 10-game winn...

The Cubs are in a funk. They were firing on all cylinders earlier in the year, with multiple 10-game winning streaks. But they are in the upside down right now, struggling in every aspect of the game. Andy Martínez, Tony Andracki and Kyle Millinowisch analyze it all on the latest Windy City Breakdown Podcast, from the series sweep at the hands of the "no-name" Brewers to Pete Crow-Armstrong's cont...

Crosstown Classics are always fun, but the first edition of the 2026 matchup between the Cubs and White Sox should be a blast. Andy Martínez, Kyle Millinowisch and Tony Andracki are joined by CHSN's Chuck Garfien to preview the matchup between the two teams that are off to strong starts. Chuck also shares the behind-the-scenes, incredible story of breaking the news that the White Sox were retiring...

The Cubs are off to their best start since 2016 (and one of the greatest starts in franchise history). Why? Andy Martínez, Tony Andracki and Kyle Millinowisch break it down on the latest Windy City Breakdown Podcast, discussing "undertalked" about storylines, the keys behind the team's winning streaks and success at home and much more. Plus, a view at how ABS has changed the game and why Carson Ke...

The NFL Draft is in the books and the Bears added some playmakers to their roster. The Score's Chris Emma stops by the Windy City Breakdown to chat with Andy Martínez, Tony Andracki and Kyle Millinowisch on the Bears' draft haul, what to make of Dillon Thieneman and provides an answer as to why the heck the team took a tight end in the third round. Plus, how do the Cubs survive the wild rash of in...

The Cubs haven't lost for a calendar week and seem to be firing on all cylinders right now. Andy Martínez, Tony Andracki and Kyle Millinowisch each provide their top takeaway from the team's 6-game winning streak. Is it time to talk about Colin Rea and his underrated contributions on the Cubs pitching staff over the last two seasons? Does Moisés Ballesteros need to more against lefties? Are the Pi...

Cade Horton is officially done for the season. How does that affect the calculus for the 2026 Chicago Cubs? The Athletic's Patrick Mooney joins the Windy City Breakdown Podcast to chat with Andy Martínez, Tony Andracki and Kyle Millinowisch about what comes next for the Cubs in the aftermath of Horton's devastating injury. Does this mean the Cubs will be actively searching for a rotation upgrade o...

Cade Horton (forearm) and Matthew Boyd (biceps) are both on the IL, meaning the Cubs will be without their top two starters for at least two weeks. But in the case of Horton, could he be on the shelf for far longer? Andy Martínez, Tony Andracki and Kyle Millinowisch reacts to the injury news and rates their own panic levels of the Cubs on the latest Windy City Breakdown Podcast after the first nin...

The Cubs have had an up-and-down first few games of the season, going 2-2 against the Nationals and Angels. But there has been much to glean from the opening week. Andy Martínez, Tony Andracki and Kyle Millinowisch recount their top takeaways from the Cubs' first four games, including Edward Cabrera's nasty stuff, Alex Bregman's most impressive characteristic and Phil Maton's role (and absolute fi...

The Cubs were dealt a disappointing blow on Opening Day ... and then picked things right back up with breaking news of Nico Hoerner's contract extension. The Windy City Breakdown Podcast crew of Andy Martínez, Tony Andracki and Kyle Millinowisch reacted to the strange weather at Wrigley, the 10-4 loss to the Washington Nationals and what Hoerner's extension means for the team and the Cubs fanbase....

It's that time of year again! Bold predictions come fast and furious in the latest episode of the Windy City Breakdown Podcast, as hosts Andy Martínez, Tony Andracki and Kyle Millinowisch provide their hot takes for the 2026 Cubs season. Among the predictions include thoughts on Cade Horton, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Nico Hoerner, Michael Busch and possibly a trip to the World Series?? Other prediction...

Seiya Suzuki is dealing with a knee injury suffered during the World Baseball Classic, leaving the Cubs to figure out a Plan B with MLB Opening Day just over a week away. Mick Gillispie, the Cubs' Double-A broadcaster and host of Cubs Baseball Channel, stops by the Windy City Breakdown Podcast to chat through his WBC musings and share some behind-the-scenes stories of Pete Crow-Armstrong as he cam...

The Chicago Cubs have an Opening Day starter -- 2025 All-Star Matthew Boyd. The Athletic's Sahadev Sharma joins the show to discuss the news with Windy City Breakdown Podcast hosts Andy Martínez, Tony Andracki and Kyle Millinowisch. Sharma and the crew also dissect the Cubs pitching staff, ranging from questions about what type of performance Justin Steele can put up when he returns from injury to...

Justin Steele is fully cleared, Pete Crow-Armstrong is gearing up to represent Team USA in the World Baseball Classic and we're all ready to run through a wall after hearing Aaron Judge's speech. On the latest episode of the Windy City Breakdown Podcast, Andy Martínez, Kyle Millinowisch and Tony Andracki debate the importance of the update on Steele's health and come to terms with their feelings o...

MLB.com senior reporter Jordan Bastian joins the Windy City Breakdown to share the latest from Mesa, Ariz. Jordan breaks down the injury news to Tyler Austin and what that means for the Cubs' bench. Then, Jordan shares what to expect from new starter Edward Cabrera, who is scheduled to make his spring debut this weekend. He also shares what all the players leaving for the World Baseball Classic me...

Chicago Tribune Cubs beat writer Meghan Montemurro is the first guest of the Windy City Breakdown and joins the crew to talk spring training. Meghan shares her observations from camp, including a surprising pick to be the Cubs' breakout player in 2026. She discusses the impact of Alex Bregman to this team and the contrast of what he brings compared to former slugger Kyle Tucker. Meghan delves into...

The crew breaks down the official start of Cubs spring training and recaps the opening press conferences from Jed Hoyer, Carter Hawkins and Craig Counsell. Kyle, Tony and Andy then look at some of the final roster battles they'll be watching this spring, before giving out some recommendations for those fans heading to Arizona.

Introducing the Windy City Breakdown, with hosts Tony Andracki, Andy Martinez and Kyle Millinowisch. The crew debates and grades the Cubs offseason, from the Alex Bregman signing to the bullpen makeover.