Cubs Talk Podcast

Should the Cubs have joined Jason Heyward in solidarity?

In an act of solidarity with many of the Black athletes across baseball and other sports in America, Cubs outfielder Jason Heyward chose to not play vs. the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday. Heyward encouraged his teammates to play without him and do what they felt was right. Host David Kaplan is joined by the NBCS Cubs coverage team of Gordon Wittenmyer, Maddie Lee, and Tim Stebbins as they discuss if Heyward's teammates should have joined him, and how Heyward came to the decision to not play. Later on in the podcast, the crew assess the Cubs season at the halfway mark. (1:40) - Historic day in sports (10:00) - Should the players have sat with Jason Heyward? (22:00) - David Ross, Anthony Rizzo, and Jason Heyward speak after the game (30:40) - Do the Cubs have enough to make a playoff run?

Tommy Hottovy on the Cubs starters and bullpen

The Cubs are leading the NL Central and are doing so in part because the pitching staff is holding up. David Kaplan and Gordon Wittenmyer are joined by Cubs pitching coach Tommy Hottovy to discuss the first place pitching staff, Hottovy's journey to the majors and his thoughts on potentially adding a pitcher at the trade deadline. (1:16) - Alec Mills' performance vs the Detroit Tigers (8:30) - Hottovy on how the Cubs are addressing the pandemic (12:25) - The growth of Yu Darvish in a Cub uniform (19:16) - Getting Tyler Chatwood and José Quintana back from injury (28:20) - Will the Cubs make any additions to the pitching staff before the trade deadline?

Cubs vs White Sox Crosstown series at Wrigley

It's been a long time since Chicago's baseball teams played meaningful games against each other but that time has come. Host David Kaplan is joined by Cubs insider Gordon Wittenmyer to discuss the upcoming Crosstown series with Chuck Garfien and Adam Hoge of the White Sox Talk podcast. Who will take the first series of 2020? Get ready for a matchup you're not going to want to miss.(1:45) - The Cubs and Sox are playing meaningful baseball for the first time in a long time(8:30) - Would the White Sox want to be the Cubs the last 5 years?(14:00) - One White Sox and Cubs hitter that each team should fear the most(18:00) - Who is the better player Javy Baez or Tim Anderson?(20:00) - Will the White Sox move on from Renteria like the Cubs did?

Kris Bryant leading off, Tatis Jr.’s grand slam, and Cubs losing streak

The Cubs have had a rough stretch recently but avoid losing 5 in a row. Host David Kaplan and Cubs insider Gordon Wittenmyer discuss the losing streak along with analyzing Kris Bryant's production or lack thereof at the lead-off spot. They also dive into the hottest topic in baseball, Padres star player Fernando Tatis Jr.'s grand slam and the "unwritten" rules of baseball.(1:28) - Kris Bryant is not producing at leadoff(7:49) - Was Tatis Jr. wrong for hitting a grand slam?(12:40) - Cubs avoid losing their 5th in a row(17:00) - Has Yu Darvish been better than Jake Arrieta so far?(25:00) - Cubs vs White Sox series

Cubs continued dominance and the future of baseball with Connor McKnight

The Cubs continue to win and win in dominating fashion but can they keep it up? David Kaplan is joined by Cubs insider Gordon Wittenmyer, and Cubs beat writer Maddie Lee as they discuss the Cubs winning ways, and discuss a scenario where Cleveland star Francisco Lindor is a Cub. Later on in the pod, David Kaplan is joined by Connor McKnight, host of the Baseball from Home Podcast on the House of L Network as they discuss the future of baseball after the 60 game season.(1:20) - Cubs dominate Cleveland(12:40) - Can Francisco Lindor be a Cub in the future?(21:30) - Connor McKnight joins the podcast(25:40) - The future of baseball and entertainment(31:00) - Who will be the future stars of baseball

Will 4 days off help or hurt the Cubs?

With the Cardinals being shutdown by MLB for a coronavirus outbreak in the organization, the Cubs had an impromptu 4 days off after stringing together one of the best records in baseball so far. Will having the days off help or hurt them going forward? David Kaplan and Gordon Wittenmyer discuss the delay for the Cubs, they also discuss Zach Plesac and Mike Clevinger breaking protocol and going out in Chicago, and they discuss a what if scenario that could have changed the Cubs getting Aroldis Chapman in 2016.(1:20) - Zach Plesac and Mike Clevinger breaking safety protocol to go out in Chicago(7:09) - Cubs get 4 days off due to Cardinals coronavirus outbreak(9:30) - Is David Ross following in the steps of Joe Maddon with some of his methods?(16:00) - How will MLB fix the missing games teams will have at the end of the season?(18:40) - Cubs wanted Andrew Miller initially, not Aroldis Chapman in 2016

How can the Cubs fix their closing problem?

The Cubs are 10-2 but they still have a glaring issue that needs to be addressed in order to make a significant run to the playoffs, the closer. Host David Kaplan is joined by NBCS Chicago Cubs insider Gordon Wittenmyer as they discuss ways and options the Cubs can help their closing situations. Later on, they discuss did Theo Epstein take a shot at Joe Maddon and how the Cubs are leading the charge in baseball for safety protocols.(1:20) - Should Jose Quintana be the closer?(7:05) - Are the Cubs as good as their record(13:00) - Debate on the 3 batter rule for pitching changes(17:00) - Cubs are among one of the safest teams in the MLB(22:00) - Did Theo Epstein take a shot at Joe Maddon?

Should the Cubs play the Cardinals this weekend after St. Louis outbreak?

The Cubs have the second best record in baseball, but the biggest story is that a second team has had an outbreak of the coronavirus in the Cardinals who the Cubs play this weekend. David Kaplan is joined by the NBCS Chicago Cubs coverage team of Gordon Wittenmyer, Maddie Lee, and Tim Stebbins as they discuss the Cardinals outbreak and what MLB is doing to combat it. Later on in the pod the crew discusses the hot start by the Cubs and if their record is a result of a soft early schedule.(1:30) - 13 Cardinals contract the coronavirus(6:29) - MLB's response to a second team's outbreak(12:30) - How real is the Cubs record?(19:30) - Is there something more to the Cubs core than we thought?(26:40) - Is Rizzo the face of the Cubs?

NL Central Roundtable pt. 2: Cardinals and Pirates edition

In the first installment of the NL Central round table, David Kaplan and Gordon Wittenmyer were joined beat writers from the Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers. In part two they discuss the St. Louis Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Pirates with Derrick Goold lead Cardinals beat writer for St. Louis Post-Dispatch and John Perrotto Pirates beat writer. The group discusses the early standings of the NL central and will the season be able to continue if there's another outbreak like the Marlins.(2:00) - Early thoughts on the Cubs, Cards, and Pirates(9:19) - Chances the MLB finishes the season(23:00) - Will the championship be legitimate if the season finishes?(27:10) - Could a team be dropped from the league if there is another outbreak(31:55) - Should Rob Manfred still be the MLB Commissioner?

Cubs have a hot start and the Marlins outbreak

The Cubs are off to a great start in the 60 game sprint and look like they are well on their way to the playoffs. David Kaplan and Gordon Wittenmyer discuss the fantastic start the Cubs are on, the pitching rotation and how long they can hold up, and they dive into the Marlins coronavirus outbreak and what that can mean for the rest of the league.(1:20) - Marlins outbreak(5:20) - Issues with the Cubs bullpen(15:20) - Kris Bryant isn't as hot at the plate right now(22:00) - Nico Hoerner is looking like a nice draft pick(27:00) - Are the Cubs following the safety protocols