Monday Morning Cubs Show

Carl + Mahoney
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A show every Monday morning about the Chicago Cubs from Carl and Mahoney.

  1. 1D AGO

    The Big Cat Interview: Wrigley Takes, Nostalgia, And 2026 Predictions

    A good Cubs season starts long before the ivy turns green. We kick things off with the signals that actually matter in March—Matt Shaw holding serve while learning another position, Dansby Swanson finding rhythm, and fringe bats pushing for a real job—then thread those details through a bigger, brighter picture of what this team can be when the games start to count. With Dan “Big Cat” Katz in studio, we revisit the jolt of 2015 and Arrieta’s absurd heater, not just to bask in nostalgia but to draw a blueprint: conviction, roles that fit, and a crowd that makes every pitch feel heavier. From there, it’s all about levers. Seiya Suzuki’s WBC swagger looks like more than a weekend mood; if he stays upright, a career year is on the table. Alex Bregman brings everyday certainty—long counts, hard contact, and respect from every dugout—that travels in cold weather. And PCA’s first-pitch aggression isn’t recklessness; it’s intent. Craig Counsell’s calm, relentless bullpen management gets its due, because it turns thin nights into chances and chances into wins. The key variable? Justin Steele. If he returns at full throttle by early summer, he becomes the deadline addition everyone begs for without the prospect tax, sliding Shota into a truer role and letting Cade Horton’s innings pop on a smart leash. We don’t dodge the uncomfortable parts. Tom Ricketts clears Chicago’s owner bar but still leaves ambition on the table for a franchise that should play in the deep end more often. We stack 2016 vs 2026, position by position: the old rotation still rules, but today’s group has a path to echo that dominance if Steele anchors and the lineup’s contact profile holds. Along the way, you’ll get Wrigley lore, the 50-50 obsession, foul-ball nerves, and the eternal hot-dog debate—because the little rituals matter as much as the big swings. If you love smart Cubs talk with heart, this one hits the sweet spot. Subscribe, share with a fellow maniacs, and drop your win total prediction—we’re calling 95 as the number to beat. Want more of these deep dives all season? Follow, leave a review, and tell us the one matchup where 2026 beats 2016. Thanks for tuning in! - Carl & Mahoney

    1h 47m

  2. MAR 2

    Dear Marquee: SHOW THE GAMES + PCA Profile + WBC Preview

    The countdown to baseball gets real, and we can feel it. We kick off with that opening day itch, then tackle the story Cubs fans won’t stop talking about: why Marquee’s spring training blackout stings and what it says about priorities. From there, we dig into the roster choices that actually move the needle—how the Tyler Austin injury complicates first base platooning, whether Michael Busch can hold his own against lefties, and what internal options or short-term pivots make sense without overpaying for a name. On the mound, we draw a hard line between excitement and urgency. Justin Steele is officially cleared—no setbacks, no shortcuts, same timeline—and that’s a win for October thinking. Let him ramp right and peak in mid-summer. Meanwhile, Shota Imanaga’s velocity is up and the contact has been loud. We explain why the velo matters more than spring results, what to watch in his tunneling and rhythm, and how a back-end role paired with a chip-on-the-shoulder season could be a quiet edge. Then we open the PCA file. His Chicago Magazine profile was raw and unfiltered—F-bombs, pressure, vulnerability, swagger—and it raised real questions about mindset and maturity. We separate signal from noise: the tools are elite, the adjustment is mental, and leadership around him matters. That’s why the World Baseball Classic arrives at the perfect moment. PCA and Alex Bregman will share a clubhouse with the game’s best, learning how to channel fire without pressing. We also spotlight Cubs across the WBC (USA, Japan, Canada, Mexico, Venezuela, Panama), the injury calculus versus real-game value, and how short, high-leverage reps can accelerate development better than backfields ever could. It all adds up to a clear thesis: depth to weather April, patience to get healthy, and a runway to hit stride when it counts. If you’re fired up for meaningful baseball, you’ll feel right at home here. If you enjoyed this, follow the show, rate us five stars on Spotify or Apple, and share it with a Cubs fan who needs that opening day jolt. Thanks for tuning in! - Carl & Mahoney

    59 min

  3. FEB 23

    Cubs Sign Michael Conforto + Breaking Down 2026 Promotional Giveaways

    One calm spring can set the tone for a wild summer. We zoom past box score buzz and dig into what actually matters for the Cubs: defined roles, smarter rest, and a roster that doesn’t need March miracles to look like a contender. We start with Michael Conforto’s fit—why a bat-first, lefty-heavy profile paired with playable defense could be the right lever against right-handed pitching—and how that decision intersects with Chas McCormick and Matt Shaw in right field. The focus isn’t on who has the hotter week; it’s on which mix safeguards run prevention while adding thump without breaking the defense. Then it’s the Moises Ballesteros conversation. Few rookies step into a near-everyday DH role, but his bat-to-ball skill and zone feel make him an outlier. We talk through why missing a little early-camp time isn’t a crisis, how a steady DH plan protects Seiya Suzuki’s soft-tissue risk, and the ripple effects of rotating off-days to keep legs fresh into September. We also flag the one real stress point: first base depth. Michael Busch can hit, but someone has to carry the righty split when lefties stack up. Enter Tyler Austin, fresh off a KBO power binge. If that pairing stabilizes, the rest of the lineup plays to its strengths: Horner’s efficiency, Swanson’s bounce-back path, PCA’s range, and a bullpen core deep enough to shorten games. We round it out with World Baseball Classic tradeoffs, why veterans benefit more from structured ramps than patriotic adrenaline, and how league-wide parity means there are fewer “easy” series. Bonus: a rapid-fire tour of the best promotional giveaways this year and a heads-up on special ticket rules so you don’t miss the items you actually want. The through line is simple: prioritize health, lean into leverage matchups, and trust the roles. That’s how you build toward a 96-win reality rather than chasing spring mirages. If this breakdown hits your baseball brain, tap follow, share it with a Cubs friend, and drop a five-star review on Apple or Spotify—tell us your biggest opening day concern. Thanks for tuning in! - Carl & Mahoney

    53 min

  4. FEB 16

    Building Chicago’s 2026 Batting Order And Reading Spring Signals

    What if the smartest Cubs lineup starts with simplicity? We kick off by pushing past spring training mirages and get practical about how Chicago can score more often with a clear, repeatable batting order. No fluff, no inside jokes—just a build that stacks on-base skill at the top, unleashes real power in the middle, and keeps pressure on pitchers through the final out. We anchor leadoff with Michael Busch, who brings consistent OBP against righties, then slot Nico Hoerner in the two-hole to maximize contact, speed, and opposite-field work that turns singles into traffic. From there, we hand the keys to Seiya Suzuki at three—when healthy, his swing has true middle-of-the-order thunder—and we challenge Pete Crow-Armstrong to own cleanup with intent: accept some whiffs and hunt damage. Alex Bregman fits as the five who cleans up chaos with veteran discipline and gap power, while Ian Happ at six gives the bottom third a second OBP engine. Moisés Ballesteros, Dansby Swanson, and the catcher spot round it out with sneaky pop that flips innings and keeps the lineup loop dangerous. We also zoom out to tackle the narratives shaping fan expectations. Prospect hype is fun, but we right-size roles for arms like Jackson Wiggins, emphasizing command growth, innings limits, and the difference between spring sizzle and summer value. We dig into why contract-year urgency can sharpen decision-making without turning players into someone they’re not. And we sort through the new pitch challenge system, arguing the real edge will come from smarter dugout choices, not just raw zone changes. Looking for matchup tweaks? We’ve got them without chaos: against lefties, DH Seiya and explore Matt Shaw in right field to give his bat meaningful reps under Bregman’s mentorship. The theme carries through—clarity over churn, roles over noise, production over wishful thinking. If Busch and Hoerner keep setting the table, and if Seiya and PCA are allowed to chase slug without micromanagement, this offense can score in bunches. Enjoy the episode? Tap follow, share it with a Cubs fan who loves lineup talk, and drop a quick review. Tell us your 1–9 and who you’d trust in the three-hole—let’s see your card. Thanks for tuning in! - Carl & Mahoney

    51 min

  5. FEB 9

    PITCHERS AND CATCHERS REPORT: Flexibility, Health, And Deep October Baseball

    Spring hits different when your pitching plan actually matches your October goals. We kick off a loaded Monday Morning Cubs Show by setting a clear blueprint: use the catcher tandem smartly, spread early innings across a deep rotation, and lean on a bullpen with defined tiers while keeping the door open for a midseason upgrade. We walk through why Miguel Amaya and Carson Kelly make a high-floor backstop duo and how Moises Ballesteros adds rare DH insurance. Then we map the rotation with intent: Cade Horton is electric but protected, Justin Steele remains the staff’s soul, and Eddie Cabrera—now Eddie in Chicago—gets room to acclimate before the weather and rhythm turn in his favor. From there, we highlight the ballast that wins long seasons: Matthew Boyd in a contract push, Shota Imanaga with a chip on his shoulder, and Jameson Taillon as the day-game stabilizer who enables a six-man look in April. We explain why Colin Rea and Javier Assad are elite insurance and flag Jackson Wiggins’ triple-digit upside and Jordan Wicks’ must-click changeup as pivotal spring storylines. In the pen, Daniel Palencia holds the ninth for now, while Caleb Thielbar and Phil Maton bring late-inning courage and command. Hunter Harvey is the value swing who could break the season wide open, with Jacob Webb and Hobie Milner poised to thrive in better-shaped roles—and big-velo lottery tickets Porter Hodge and Luke Little waiting to pop. We keep it honest, too: a raw moment on gambling’s costs and why integrity matters, plus measured WBC excitement with a watchful eye on health. The big takeaway? Don’t panic when April pitch counts feel conservative. This roster is built to peak when it counts, and the path to a top-five MLB staff is right in front of us. If you’re riding with us into 90-plus wins, hit follow, drop a five-star review on Apple or Spotify, and share this with a Cubs friend who’s counting down to Opening Day. Who’s your Game 1 starter? We want to hear it. Thanks for tuning in! - Carl & Mahoney

    1h 11m

  6. FEB 2

    Groundhog Day Debates, Pitchers Reporting, And Cubs Roster Questions

    A groundhog rivalry, a cough, and a countdown to what actually matters. We open with Woodstock pride and Groundhog Day lore, then cut through the annual noise around “pitchers and catchers report” to ask a tougher question: how do the Cubs set themselves up for a season that feels built for right now? We get honest about Nico Horner’s value, why trading him would be a mistake, and how an extension only makes sense at the right number. We also make the case that Michael Busch isn’t a sleeper waiting for a leap—he’s already one of the most productive first basemen in baseball, with room to sharpen the glove and manage lefty exposure. From there, we look at the prospect pipeline with a clear lens. Losing a blue-chipper hurts, but Moises Ballesteros and Jackson Wiggins headline a next wave that keeps the system useful without stealing focus from a win-now window. We talk timing, roles, and why a couple of rookies filling everyday jobs can work for a big-market club when the veterans carry the peak months. Then comes the World Baseball Classic: a blast to watch, a knot in the stomach for coaches. PCA’s energy could benefit from high-leverage reps, but the risk is real in early March intensity; we draw the line between fun and what the regular season demands. Finally, we map the rotation market with patience. Big names remain, but a late spring signing only makes sense after a real look at in-house arms. If health or performance dips, a short-term stabilizer becomes logical; if not, save the ammo. Through it all, we keep our eyes on the only countdown that counts: the home opener at Clark and Addison. Cold April air, short lines, loud innings—those days set the tone. If you’re ready for a season built on clarity, smart risk, and a little Midwest superstition, you’re in the right place. If you enjoyed this, follow the show, leave a five-star review, and share it with a Cubs fan who needs something real to hold onto before first pitch. Thanks for tuning in! - Carl & Mahoney

    50 min

  7. JAN 26

    Why The 2026 Cubs Are Built To Win 95 Games + SPECIAL GUEST JAKE

    The North Side turns 150 with a roster built for a modern pennant race, and we’re fired up to explain why. So much that we're joined by our close friend and very special guest JAKE.  We dig into the national buzz that slots the Dodgers first, then make the case for Chicago at No. 2 because of something flashier teams can’t fake: true depth. From an elite infield to a rotation that changes shapes night to night, this group stacks series wins, handles cold starts, and shortens losing streaks before they begin. We spotlight the pitching identity that travels. Edward Cabrera’s bowling-ball sinker, Cade Horton’s dog-in-the-arena tempo, and the anchor presence of Justin Steele create a mix that’s tough to game-plan for over a weekend—let alone a playoff series. Steele’s return isn’t just about health; it’s about headspace. The family reset, the fierce want for wins, and the Lester-like expectation to dominate the sixth and beyond give this staff its soul. We also talk lineup resilience and why Seiya Suzuki’s right-handed thunder makes him the toughest loss to absorb. Then it’s anticipation season. We size up a brutal, cold-heavy April that could forge an early edge, call for more national broadcasts against strong AL opponents, and explore the league’s marquee contrast: star-chasing Mets vs cohesion-first Cubs. Along the way, we celebrate the 150th anniversary with a push for tasteful on-field nods, revisit Jake Arrieta’s all-time Wild Card masterpiece, and debate which 2015 Cub would best lift this roster right now—Dexter Fowler’s top-of-order presence makes a compelling case. If you’re ready for a season built on layered pitching, smart depth, and a city-wide buzz that feels earned, hit play. Subscribe, drop a quick 5-star review on Apple and Spotify, and share this episode with the Cubs fan who’s already counting down to Steele’s first start back. Thanks for tuning in! - Carl & Mahoney

    50 min

  8. JAN 19

    Forgetting Kyle Tucker + Bears Playoff Heartbreak + Inside the 2016 Cubs (Exclusive Stories)

    The city woke up with that hollow feeling you only get after an overtime gut punch, but the story doesn’t end at the interception. We unpack the Bears loss with honesty and poise: where aggression helped, where early points were there for the taking, and why Caleb’s late-game aura can coexist with teachable mistakes. The defense forced a potent offense into 17 in a one-possession overtime. That’s a standard worth carrying forward, even in a league where momentum resets every week. Then we flip the switch to Wrigley. CubsCon brought the 150th anniversary, the 2016 reunion, and the kind of nostalgia that doesn’t gather dust. It motivates. We talk about why seeing Happ, Hoerner, and Taillon freezing together at Soldier Field matters for culture, and how the Bregman signing adds exactly the steady heartbeat this lineup needed. The contract structure—deferred money done right—signals a front office willing to use every tool, not just chase names. Put Bregman next to Dansby and you’ve got two pros who set standards, simplify at-bats, and elevate the room. We also zoom out. The Dodgers just turned a $60 million AAV into roughly $126 million in cash outlay after tax penalties. That’s not a rumor; that’s a business model powered by monster media rights. What it means for Chicago: you don’t have to mirror their budget to compete, but you do need to nail structure, timing, and fit. We lay out why the Cubs’ approach can win now—on the field and on the balance sheet—while embracing the city’s hunger for another run. If you’re ready for smart Chicago sports talk that moves from the pain to the plan, hit play and ride with us. And if you’re feeling the energy, subscribe, drop a review, and tell a friend which moment hit you hardest. Thanks for tuning in! - Carl & Mahoney

    1h 9m
See All (90)

5
out of 5
148 Ratings

About

A show every Monday morning about the Chicago Cubs from Carl and Mahoney.

Information

  • Creator
    Carl + Mahoney
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    90
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Monday Morning Cubs Show
  • Show Website
    Monday Morning Cubs Show

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