Cubs Talk Podcast

Ep: 275 Cubs limp out of Milwaukee

On the latest Cubs Talk Podcast, Kelly Crull, David Dejesus and Tony Andracki discuss the Cubs struggles in Milwaukee, the numerous injuries the Cubs are facing, and if there is enough time to catch the Cardinals in the NL Central

Ep. 274: Kimbrel update - Danny Hultzen’s dream

00:42 - Craig Kimbrel gives an update on his right elbow. The Cubs closer sounds very optimistic after an MRI came back clean.04:03 - Luke Stuckmeyer, David Kaplan and David Dejesus discuss "Plan B" if Kimbrel is out for the stretch run or a possible playoff series.06:51 - Luke breaks down the incredible story of the Cubs most recent call-up, Danny Hultzen. Included is a portion of Luke's 1-on-1 with Hultzen from July with the Iowa Cubs.10:14 - Luke, Kap and David talk about what a special story Hultzen's comeback has been - and could be if he turns into a big factor for the Cubs in September.14:34 - The guys discuss the Division race. How close do the Cubs need to be to the N.L. Central leading Cardinals before the first game of their series at Wrigley Field September 19-22?

Ep. 273: Injuries piling up for Cubs

00:00 - Luke Stuckmeyer, Doug Glanville and David Kaplan break down the Cubs injury situation with Kris Bryant, Javy Baez and Yu Darvish banged up.05:15 Offense gets Ben Zobrist and Willson Contreras back - but how will Willson's hamstring hold up in the cold weather down the stretch?08:20 - Appreciating the Cubs trainers, getting a lot of work this season. Doug talks about his experiences in the trainer's room.12:30 - Kelly Crull sits down and talks with Nick Castellanos in the Cubs clubhouse.

Ep. 272: What is wrong with the Cubs offense?

On the latest Cubs Talk Podcast, David Kaplan, David DeJesus, Kelly Crull and Tony Andracki try to figure out what is wrong with the Cubs offense, discuss Ben Zobrist's return to the Cubs and Darvish missing Sunday's start01:00 Ben Zobrist reurns to the Cubs04:00 How Zobrist can help the team's struggles at the leadoff spot07:30 Baez injury scare10:00 Darvish missing Sunday's Start15:00 Cubs chasing the Cardinals in the Central18:00 The Cubs offense looked worse on Sunday than they did on Saturday23:00 What should the offense's approach be at the plate?25:00 This isn't the fault of the hitting coach27:00 Cubs getting solid pitching29:00 How should the Cubs approach the Mariners the next 2 games30:00 Do you start pressing looking at the scoreboard?

Ep. 271: Castellanos still CRUSHING

Nick Castellanos is still red hot since being acquired at the trade deadline. Luke Stuckmeyer, Eric Strobel & Nate Poppen compare Castellanos' start with the Cubs to other similar "hot starts" in Cubs history. We also catch up with Castellanos in the Cubs clubhouse after their big win over the Brewers.00:00 - We break down what continues to be an unbelievable start to Nick Castellanos' career with the Cubs.04:08 - Comparing Castellanos' red-hot start to his Cubs career with past similar hot starts - including Aramis Ramirez, Kerry Wood and Kyle Schwarber.12:13 - Nick Castellanos talks to reporters in the Cubs clubhouse after hitting 2 home runs in the Cubs 7-1 win over the Brewers on Friday.17:10 - We discuss the roller coaster ride that has been the Cubs 2019 season. Getting swept by the Nationals, then sweeping the Mets and beating the Brewers.

Ep. 270: ”The Kaplan Makes Sense,” leadoff struggles and Ben Zobrist expectations

On the latest Cubs Talk Podcast, Luke Stuckmeyer, Kelly Crull, Tony Andracki and The Kaplan discuss the latest Yu Darvish outing, the team's struggles at the leadoff spot and what to expect from Ben Zobrist when he makes his return.01:00 Do we call Kap & Yu Darvish, Kaplish or Darvlan?04:00 Is Darvish's lack of walks hurting him on the mound?05:30 Darvish's addition of a knuckle-curve07:30 Would Darvish be a game 1 starter in the playoffs?09:00 Advantage of pitching Hendricks in a high-leverage game10:30 Concerns about Anthony Rizzo's back12:00 How does the team solve it's struggles at the leadoff spot21:00 What to expect from Ben Zobrist when he returns24:00 The Cubs need Javy Baez to get hot over the last month27:00 Every single game feels important this time of year

Ep. 269: Nightmare weekend at Wrigley

Fresh off the heels of the Cubs’ worst series at home in nearly two years, Luke Stuckmeyer and Tony Andracki tackle the most important topics surrounding this team right now.0:30 – CubsTalk Podcast from an alternate universe where Nicholas Castellanos’ 10th-inning fly ball was actually a walk-off.2:00 – A tale of two offenses.5:00 – What’s the cure for what ails the Cubs lineup?7:00 – Cole Hamels looks to be rounding into form.9:00 – The Mets are shaping up to be another formidable matchup for the Cubs this week in New York.11:00 – An update on Anthony Rizzo and his back injury.13:30 – The Cubs badly need Javy Baez to get hot.15:00 – Wrapping up with some positives, including Craig Kimbrel and the Cubs defense.

Ep. 268: Yu Darvish & Kap Step Into the Ring

Luke Stuckmeyer is joined by David Kaplan and Doug Glanville to discuss Yu Darvish responding to Kap on Twitter after his home run-plagued outing Wednesday night. Kap gives the reasoning behind his initial tweets (2:15), before Joe Maddon humorously weighs in during his pregame media session (4:15). Then, the guys debate how Twitter has changed the game and its media coverage (6:30), before Kap recalls another, more anger-filled media/player interaction involving Kent Mercker in 2004 (17:30).

Ep. 267: Castellanos’ impact & Schwarber 1-on-1

00:00 Luke & Kap talk about Nick Castellanos, the impact he has had on the Cubs offense, and the possibility of signing him before he hits free agency this winter.10:34 Kelly Crull sits down with Kyle Schwarber. Topics include the team’s return to Wrigley Field, the Cubs quest for the N.L. Central title, and “Schwarber’s Block Party” – Kyle’s third annual fundraiser to help first responders.20:35 Luke & Kap chat about the Cubs bullpen, including Craig Kimbrel, Rowan Wick, and which starting pitcher would move to a relief role IF the Cubs make it to the postseason.

Ep. 266: Appreciating Jose Quintana

Luke Stuckmeyer sits down with David Kaplan, Chris Kamka and Nate Poppen to discuss Jose Quintana's dominant stretch, the importance of this upcoming homestand, and the best moments of the LLWS Classic. 00:00:25Examining the roller coaster week that ended with the Cubs winning their first road series since 00:02:21Jose Quintana appreciation: Chris Kamka delivers some spectacular stats to back up Q's tremendous run since June 29th.00:07:28If the Cubs make the playoffs... would you pitch Quintana in Game 1?00:08:28The guys pick their favorite moments from the Little League World Series Classic.00:10:03Since we are talking about Little League... will we ever see a return to "situational hitting" and "small ball" in Major League Baseball?00:12:53Since the ball is "juiced" in 2019 - why are Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo not hitting more home runs? Chris Kamka thinks he has the answer to that question.00:14:57Chris Kamka examines the Cubs awful road record - which could have more to do with bad luck than people think.00:18:16Preview of this week's homestand, keeping in mind that the Brewers and Cardinals will face each other 6 times over 10 days.00:20:53Kap gets in his time machine and plays "what if" the Cubs didn't make a few trades/signings before and after the 2016 World Series.00:24:45Kap discusses the "level of expectations" that Cubs fans have now.