The Bleacher Nation Cubs Podcast

Brett Taylor, Michael Cerami, Betsperts, Bleacher Nation
  • 4.8 (78)
  • Baseball
  • Updated Weekly

The Bleacher Nation Cubs Podcast is your go-to source for smart, entertaining, and insightful Chicago Cubs talk. Hosted by Brett Taylor and Michael Cerami of Bleacher Nation, this show dives into everything Cubs fans need to know. New episodes Thursdays.

  1. 3d ago

    The Cubs Keep Sliding, What's the Deadline Plan? | Bleacher Nation Cubs

    Brett and Michael are back for the sixty-sixth episode of the Bleacher Nation Cubs Podcast (Presented by Ankin Law)! And, frankly, they're not happy. The Cubs are on the verge of being swept by the Rockies and have now gone 10 straight series without a series win, a stunning stretch for a team that once looked like one of the best clubs in baseball. The guys discuss how quickly things have unraveled, why the current version of the Cubs feels stuck in neutral, and what has to change before this season slips away completely. With the trade deadline approaching, the conversation naturally shifts toward the front office. If this skid continues, what kind of decisions will the Cubs have to make? Are they still buyers? Could they pivot into something more complicated? And if the organization decides bigger changes are necessary, which players could become trade candidates and what sort of return might be available? It's a frustrated but honest discussion about where the Cubs stand, how they got here, and what the next few weeks could mean for the direction of the season. A special thank you to Ankin Law for sponsoring this podcast! Visit Ankin Law's Website ➡️ ankinlaw.com Get your Cubs Coverage at https://www.bleachernation.com/cubs Get your Bears Coverage at https://www.bleachernation.com/bears Get your Bulls Coverage at https://www.bleachernation.com/bulls Get your Blackhawks Coverage at https://www.bleachernation.com/blackhawks Get Sports Betting Updates, Info, & Tips at https://www.bleachernation.com/betting Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    42 min

  2. Jun 4

    A Month Without a Series Win, Seiya’s Slump & Searching for an Identity | Bleacher Nation Cubs

    Brett and Michael are back for the sixty-fifth episode of the Bleacher Nation Cubs Podcast (Presented by Ankin Law)! The season is far from over, but there’s no denying the trend line has been pointing in the wrong direction lately. It’s now been a full month since the Cubs last won a series, and the guys discuss how a team that once looked like one of baseball’s best has found itself stuck in neutral. With 62 games in the books and 100 still to play, there’s plenty of time to turn things around. But the early success created enormous expectations, making this extended stretch of mediocrity all the more frustrating. Brett and Michael explore whether the Cubs have lost something that once made them dangerous—and whether the team currently has a clear identity at all. They also discuss the repeated failures in key offensive moments. Time and again, the Cubs have found themselves with runners in scoring position late in games, only to come up empty. Those missed opportunities have become a defining theme of the past month. The conversation eventually gets philosophical, touching on concepts like Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs as a way to think about team building, confidence, and performance. What are the foundational elements this team is missing right now, and how do they get back to playing winning baseball? And then there’s Seiya Suzuki, who is enduring the deepest slump of his Cubs career. Despite remaining in the heart of the lineup, the results simply haven't been there. The guys discuss whether Suzuki's struggles are purely a slump, part of a larger offensive issue, or potentially indicative of broader age-related decline among several key Cubs hitters. A special thank you to Ankin Law for sponsoring this podcast! Visit Ankin Law's Website ➡️ ankinlaw.com Get your Cubs Coverage at https://www.bleachernation.com/cubs Get your Bears Coverage at https://www.bleachernation.com/bears Get your Bulls Coverage at https://www.bleachernation.com/bulls Get your Blackhawks Coverage at https://www.bleachernation.com/blackhawks Get Sports Betting Updates, Info, & Tips at https://www.bleachernation.com/betting   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    51 min

  3. May 28

    Cubs Finally Break Through, Happ Heats Up & Pitching Questions Remain | Bleacher Nation Cubs

    Brett and Michael are back for the sixty-fourth episode of the Bleacher Nation Cubs Podcast (Presented by Ankin Law)! After a brutal stretch, the Cubs finally snapped their 10-game losing streak, and the guys react to what felt like a much-needed reset for the offense. It wasn’t just the win itself—it was how the Cubs won. The lineup finally started stringing together hits, drawing walks, and cashing in with runners in scoring position again after days of frustration. The guys discuss why the offensive approach looked much more like the version of the Cubs fans saw earlier in the season. They also spend some time on Ian Happ, whose recent struggles had become increasingly magnified during the skid. Back-to-back strong performances at the plate were encouraging, especially given that—even with the strikeout spike—his overall production still sits surprisingly close to his career norms. At the same time, the pitching concerns remain front and center. The Cubs are fortunate they banked so many wins earlier in the year during those long winning streaks, because the rotation continues to look increasingly thin. Jameson Taillon’s struggles are becoming harder to ignore, and the starting staff still feels like the clearest weakness on the roster—especially on nights when the offense isn’t carrying the load. It’s a conversation about relief, perspective, and the growing urgency surrounding the pitching staff as the season moves forward. A special thank you to Ankin Law for sponsoring this podcast! Visit Ankin Law's Website ➡️ ankinlaw.com Get your Cubs Coverage at https://www.bleachernation.com/cubs Get your Bears Coverage at https://www.bleachernation.com/bears Get your Bulls Coverage at https://www.bleachernation.com/bulls Get your Blackhawks Coverage at https://www.bleachernation.com/blackhawks Get Sports Betting Updates, Info, & Tips at https://www.bleachernation.com/betting Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    51 min

  4. May 21

    Brewers Sweep Cubs, Offensive Frustrations & Milwaukee’s Sustained Success | Bleacher Nation Cubs

    Brett and Michael are back for the sixty-third episode of the Bleacher Nation Cubs Podcast (Presented by Ankin Law)! It was a rough stretch for the Cubs, who followed a disappointing series loss to the White Sox by getting swept—and thoroughly outplayed—by the Milwaukee Brewers. Losing three straight to the team you’re chasing in the division always stings, and the guys don’t shy away from that reality. A big part of the conversation centers around just how consistently good the Brewers organization continues to be. It’s not simply “luck” anymore—they develop talent well, maximize their roster, continue producing prospects, and seem to stay competitive no matter who leaves town. Brett and Michael spend a good chunk of the episode digging into why Milwaukee keeps finding success year after year. On the Cubs side, the offensive frustrations are mounting. The lineup has repeatedly found itself in good run-scoring situations without capitalizing, and even the heart of the order hasn’t been coming through consistently. Strikeouts have piled up, RBI chances have gone wasted, and the offense has looked disconnected during this recent skid. There’s still plenty of season left, but this stretch served as a reminder that the Cubs still have things to clean up if they want to seriously chase down the division. A special thank you to Ankin Law for sponsoring this podcast! Visit Ankin Law's Website ➡️ ankinlaw.com Get your Cubs Coverage at https://www.bleachernation.com/cubs Get your Bears Coverage at https://www.bleachernation.com/bears Get your Bulls Coverage at https://www.bleachernation.com/bulls Get your Blackhawks Coverage at https://www.bleachernation.com/blackhawks Get Sports Betting Updates, Info, & Tips at https://www.bleachernation.com/betting Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    53 min

  5. May 14

    Cubs Hit a Bump & Crosstown Series Ahead | Bleacher Nation Cubs

    Brett and Michael are back for the sixty-second episode of the Bleacher Nation Cubs Podcast (Presented by Ankin Law)! The Cubs finally lost a Wednesday game before a Thursday morning recording, but the guys aren’t exactly panicking. They discuss the challenge of trying to avoid a sweep against the Braves—especially with Chris Sale looming—and why the recent offensive slowdown feels far more fluky than alarming. After all, the Cubs have run into some excellent pitching lately, and a four-game stretch isn’t enough to suddenly rewrite what this offense has been all season. On the pitching side, the conversation turns once again to the rotation and potential trade targets, but there’s also optimism around Ben Brown’s continued growth. His increased groundball rate and evolving profile suggest he may be turning into a much more complete pitcher than many expected heading into the year. The guys also preview the upcoming Crosstown Series against the Chicago White Sox, who have surprisingly hovered around .500 and become one of the more intriguing stories in baseball early this season. Much of that has been driven by Munetaka Murakami, whose arrival on the South Side has immediately made him one of the most entertaining players in Chicago baseball. A special thank you to Ankin Law for sponsoring this podcast! Visit Ankin Law's Website ➡️ ankinlaw.com Get your Cubs Coverage at https://www.bleachernation.com/cubs Get your Bears Coverage at https://www.bleachernation.com/bears Get your Bulls Coverage at https://www.bleachernation.com/bulls Get your Blackhawks Coverage at https://www.bleachernation.com/blackhawks Get Sports Betting Updates, Info, & Tips at https://www.bleachernation.com/betting Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    38 min

  6. May 7

    Another Cubs Comeback, Rotation Injuries Mount & Big Decisions Loom | Bleacher Nation Cubs

    Brett and Michael are back for the sixty-first episode of the Bleacher Nation Cubs Podcast (Presented by Ankin Law)! The Cubs’ winning streak nearly came to an end last night—but instead, they found yet another way to pull off a comeback victory. The guys react to a stretch that now includes eight straight wins, multiple comeback victories, and a growing feeling that this team simply refuses to fold late in games. They also dive into a big-picture roster conversation: if extensions eventually come into play, would the Cubs realistically choose between Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki long term? Both are producing at a high level, but with payroll considerations and future roster construction looming, the guys debate whether both can realistically remain part of the core. On the injury front, the rotation took another hit with Matthew Boyd undergoing surgery. While the Cubs remain optimistic he’ll contribute again later this season, it’s another challenge for a staff already dealing with significant injuries. The immediate focus now becomes surviving the next month-plus while keeping the rest of the pitching staff healthy. Fortunately, the bullpen continues to step up. Phil Maton and Jacob Webb have both looked sharp recently, with Webb especially settling into valuable multi-inning work. Brett and Michael also workshop an interesting theory: all of these early wins may help preserve the pitching staff over the long haul by allowing Craig Counsell to avoid overtaxing key arms in high-stress situations. And with both the Boyd and Justin Steele situations lingering, the guys discuss whether the Cubs are increasingly trending toward making a meaningful move for starting pitching before the trade deadline arrives. A special thank you to Ankin Law for sponsoring this podcast! Visit Ankin Law's Website ➡️ ankinlaw.com Get your Cubs Coverage at https://www.bleachernation.com/cubs Get your Bears Coverage at https://www.bleachernation.com/bears Get your Bulls Coverage at https://www.bleachernation.com/bulls Get your Blackhawks Coverage at https://www.bleachernation.com/blackhawks Get Sports Betting Updates, Info, & Tips at https://www.bleachernation.com/betting Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    48 min

  7. Apr 30

    Justin Steele Setback, Rotation Questions & Cubs Pitching Depth Tested | Bleacher Nation Cubs

    Brett and Michael are back for the sixtieth episode of the Bleacher Nation Cubs Podcast (Presented by Ankin Law)! The Cubs have navigated a solid start to the season, but from an injury standpoint, it’s been a real test—headlined by a significant setback for Justin Steele. After appearing ahead of schedule earlier this spring, Steele has now suffered a flexor strain in his recovery and will be shut down and re-evaluated, pushing his timeline back significantly. At this point, a return before late June feels unlikely, and that raises real questions about how much he’ll be able to contribute this season—and whether he can be a meaningful piece for a potential playoff run. That conversation leads into a broader discussion about the rotation as currently constructed. The Cubs have built a group capable of eating innings and stabilizing the regular season, but does that profile translate as well in October? It’s an early question, but one worth considering given the current makeup of the staff. On the field, Jameson Taillon continues to provide steady value, turning in another quality outing while pairing his usual contact management with a noticeable uptick in strikeouts. That combination has made him a reliable piece of the rotation early on. Out of the bullpen, Ben Brown has been a major bright spot, stepping into high-leverage situations and delivering, including a recent bases-loaded escape on short rest. He’s starting to carve out a trusted multi-inning role as the Cubs lean on their depth. All in all, it’s a mix of encouraging performance and growing concern as the Cubs look to carry a strong April into an even better May. A special thank you to Ankin Law for sponsoring this podcast! Visit Ankin Law's Website ➡️ ankinlaw.com Get your Cubs Coverage at https://www.bleachernation.com/cubs Get your Bears Coverage at https://www.bleachernation.com/bears Get your Bulls Coverage at https://www.bleachernation.com/bulls Get your Blackhawks Coverage at https://www.bleachernation.com/blackhawks Get Sports Betting Updates, Info, & Tips at https://www.bleachernation.com/betting Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    54 min

  8. Apr 24

    Nine Straight Wins, Swanson’s Walk-Off & Cubs Keep Rolling | Bleacher Nation Cubs

    Brett and Michael are back for the fifty-ninth episode of the Bleacher Nation Cubs Podcast (Presented by Ankin Law)! The Cubs are on an absolute heater, extending their winning streak to nine games, capped off by a wild comeback win over the Phillies that ended with a Dansby Swanson walk-off in the 10th. They break down the rollercoaster game—blowing the lead late but never really feeling rattled—and how this stretch of wins, including a four-game sweep of Philadelphia, has changed the vibe around the team. The guys also dig into a bigger-picture conversation sparked by Craig Counsell: “Do you want to develop players or do you want to win?” They explore how that applies to roster decisions, including whether it makes sense to call up a hot bat like Pedro Ramirez if he’s only going to see limited playing time, versus letting him continue to develop every day in Triple-A. On the offensive side, Moises Ballesteros continues to rake, putting up elite early numbers in a limited sample, while Carson Kelly’s strong production raises questions about how the Cubs will balance playing time behind the plate moving forward. It’s a mix of short-term success and long-term decision-making as the Cubs keep rolling. A special thank you to Ankin Law for sponsoring this podcast! Visit Ankin Law's Website ➡️ ankinlaw.com Get your Cubs Coverage at https://www.bleachernation.com/cubs Get your Bears Coverage at https://www.bleachernation.com/bears Get your Bulls Coverage at https://www.bleachernation.com/bulls Get your Blackhawks Coverage at https://www.bleachernation.com/blackhawks Get Sports Betting Updates, Info, & Tips at https://www.bleachernation.com/betting Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    55 min
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4.8
out of 5
78 Ratings

About

The Bleacher Nation Cubs Podcast is your go-to source for smart, entertaining, and insightful Chicago Cubs talk. Hosted by Brett Taylor and Michael Cerami of Bleacher Nation, this show dives into everything Cubs fans need to know. New episodes Thursdays.

Information

  • Creator
    Brett Taylor, Michael Cerami, Betsperts, Bleacher Nation
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    66
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Bleacher Nation
  • Show Website
    The Bleacher Nation Cubs Podcast

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