Cubs Talk Podcast

Cub fans mailbag questions for David Kaplan

Host David Kaplan is cooped up inside as well but still takes your questions and comments on the Cubs and what the season will look like in 2020. Make sure to check this episode out, he may have answered your question. Follow Kap on twitter @thekapman to send him your questions for future mailbag episodes.(1:34) - Does a shorter season help out an old pitching staff?(3:45) - Will there be any baseball played in 2020?(7:02) - Will it be difficult for David Ross to manage guys he's played with(9:10) - Favorite Mark Grace moment as a Cub(13:05) - With the break baseball is on, does that leave more room to extend Kris Bryant

Why Kris Bryant may not be the defender we think he is

By all accounts, Kris Bryant seemed to be one of the best defending 3rd basemen in the league, but could we be wrong? To discuss this, David Kaplan is joined by NBCS Chicago's number cruncher Chris Kamka, and Mark Simon of Sports Info Solutions to discuss how to measure the defensive play in baseball. And don't worry, Javy Baez is still the best shortstop in baseball.(1:45) - Why were the Cubs so bad at defense last season(7:20) - Should the defensive metrics change along with the game(12:55) - What does defensive runs saved (DSR) mean?(17:40) - Is Kris Bryant a good or bad defender?(23:35) - Does the eye test still tell you what a baseball player is(29:55) - Where can fans keep up with DSR during the season?

Roster update from Spring training & Brandon Morrow has a setback

Host Davis Kaplan is live from Arizona and gives updates on how Cubs Spring training is going. He discusses the starting rotation, a Brandon Morrow injury setback and what that could mean for the Cubs bullpen, and the progression of the Cubs hitters.(1:10) - Starting rotation update, Yu Darvish skips an outing(3:12) - Bullpen update, Brandon Morrow will miss 1st month of action(5:41) - Hitter's update, Jason Kipnis is getting every chance to start at 2nd base(8:20) - Cubs are trying to move to the "next frontier"

Is the Cubs’ World Series window still open?

Even though the Cubs had a lackluster offseason, the roster wold suggest that they can still make noise in the NL Central. Filling in for host David Kaplan, Jeff Nelson and Nate Poppen play sound from Jed Hoyer and Nico Hoerner to discuss the expectations for this season, and relive the mic'd up Anthony Rizzo experience.(1:56) - Jed Hoyer on this season's expectations(5:10) - Reaction to Jed Hoyer's comments on expectations(9:20) - Nico Hoerner on being called up and expectations for this year(12:00) - Finding playing time for Hoerner and the outfield(16:00) - Can Kyle Schwarber's defense improve?(21:00) - Cubs get mic'd up

Black History Month: The courage to be a black quarterback

NBCS Chicago is celebrating Black History Month with special episodes to discuss the impact of the black athlete in sports. In the final episode of the series, Laurence Holmes is joined by his "Football Aftershow" teammate and former Chicago Bear Alex Brown to discuss, making coaching in the NFL more diverse, is the Rooney Rule helping, and the common practice of moving black quarterbacks to other positions.(4:20) - Alex Brown on being pushed to not play quarterback in high school(9:15) - Jalen Hurts asked would he be willing to change positions in the NFL(17:03) - Alex Brown on playing in a Super Bowl that featured 2 black head coaches(22:12) - Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy not being mentioned for a head coaching job(26:00) - Does the Rooney Rule work?(40:35) - Overcoming unfairness(44:28) - Watching a NFL where there are successful black quarterbacks

Ross-ter Rundown: Can Jon Lester bring it for 1 more year?

As the season draws closer, it's time to discuss every player that will be on the final roster on opening day. We start with Cubs veteran pitcher Jon Lester. Jeff Nelson sits in for David Kaplan and his he joined by NBCS Cubs writer Tim Stebbins and NBCS producer Nate Poppen to debate can Jon Lester help stabilize the starting rotation for at least 1 more season, and where do you place him in the rotation.(1:37) - One word to describe Jon Lester(5:42) - Lester didn't start his Cubs career very well(10:40) - Lester eventually proved why he got the contract(14:40) - How will the relationship change between Jon Lester and David Ross(19:00) - Lester's inability to throw to 1st base(23:00) - Projections for Lester in the 2020 season

What will David Ross’ impact on the Cubs be like in 2020

As new manager David Ross takes over for Joe Maddon, he intends to tweak the culture of the Cubs and set his own mark on the team. Filling in for host David Kaplan, Jeff Nelson is joined by Outside the Ivy and Bleacher Nation's Michael Cerami to discuss what kind of impact David Ross will have on the 2020 Cubs, what should be expected from the pitching staff and bullpen, and the uncertainty of who plays in the outfield. (1:36) - What does Ross' impact look like?(8:28) - Concerns with the pitching staff(16:00) - Will Craig Kimbrel be better this year?(20:00) - Will Kris Bryant have enough rope to get use to being lead-off?(25:05) - Who do you trust to play the outfield everyday?

Black History Month: Making hockey accessible to everyone

NBCS Chicago is celebrating Black History Month with special episodes to discuss the impact of the black athlete in sports. Chicago Sun Times feature story writer Evan F. Moore sits down with former Blackhawk and analyst for NBCS Chicago Jamal Mayers to discuss being a black athlete in hockey and what he's doing to help grow hockey in non traditional hockey communities.(3:00) - Why was it important for Jamal to write about his life in his book(10:58) - Ray Emery's impact on hockey(16:00) - Describes what the NHL and the Blackhawks are doing to grow the game(21:37) - The Devante Smith-Pelly incident at the United Center(36:10) - Reasons that hockey hasn't addressed social issues(40:06) - Addressing ignorance in hockey

Can Kris Bryant be the lead-off hitter the Cubs need?

Kris Bryant has been deemed the lead-off hitter for your Chicago Cubs for the 2020 season. Will he be the key to unlock the offense for the Cubs this season? Does this fix the problems the Cubs have had as lead-off? Host David Kaplan is joined by the Chicago Tribune's Mark Gonzales as they discuss the Cubs putting Bryant at lead-off, they also discuss will Theo Epstein's future with the Cubs, and the back and forth between Joe Maddon and Theo Epstein.(1:40) - Can Kris Bryant be successful at lead-off?(6:00) - What does the order look like with Bryant at lead-off?(9:35) - Will Theo Epstein stay past his contract?(13:30) - Was the rest of the league surprised the Cubs didn't make a move?(16:05) - Joe Maddon philosophy vs Theo Epstein philosophy?

Do the Cubs still have a shot at the division?

Despite a disappointing off season the Cubs still have a competitive team for the 2020 season. Host David Kaplan has a round table discussion with the NBCS Chicago Cubs content team of Jeff Nelson, Danny Rocket, and Tim Stebbins to discuss how they see this team performing in the 2020 season and the subtle jabs at former manager Joe Maddon.(1:30) - Where is the excitement level for the 2020 season(4:14) - Cubs might perform better than expected this year(9:09) - Theo Epstein telling manager candidates that Cubs will take a step back in 2020(14:00) - Cubs still have to reset this year financially(17:20) - Theo vs Joe