Bleacher Bunch Network: A Chicago Cubs Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Show Notes: Introduction: Welcome to CubsPS+, a weekly podcast about Chicago Cubs baseball. Hosted by Mike Waller: lifelong Cubs fan, baseball stats nerd, and youth baseball coach. Episode Focus: Today’s episode takes us on a trip back through key Cubs postseason games played on October 6th. We cover 85 years of Cubs history, featuring games from 1938, 1945, 1984, and more. We explore legendary moments, such as: Babe Ruth’s “called shot” Dizzy Dean’s World Series efforts The infamous “Billy Goat Curse” The heartbreak of the 1984 NLCS and Steve Garvey’s iconic home run Key Themes and Stories: Ghosts and goats of Cubs postseason history The legendary Homer in the Gloamin’ Billy Jurges and connections to the movie "The Natural" Cubs’ ups and downs in the postseason, including the 1984 and 2007 playoff losses A look at the Cubs' success post-2016, including their 2017 NLDS win over the Washington Nationals Call to Action: If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and review wherever you listen to podcasts. Share this episode with a friend to help more Cubs fans discover the show. Social Media and Support: Follow me on Twitter/X, Instagram, TikTok, Threads, BlueSky, and YouTube @CubsPSPlus. Support the show and enjoy ad-free episodes on Patreon: CubsPSPlus. Credits: Theme music: “Prospect Park West” by Jerry McHoy. Hosted by Mike Waller, reminding you that every day talking about Cubs baseball is a great day. Go Cubs! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We bring on Brewers fan Eric Wielo to ridicule him for his team's early exit, and Uncle Mike to thank him for what the Mets did to our division rivals. Plus, Jed said some stuff and Bleacher Jeff is going to Japan! Early and ad free access when you support the Son Ranto Show by becoming a Super Ranter for only 1 dollar at http://www.patreon.com/sonranto FREE TRIALS AVAILABLE! Buy your tickets here http://www.sonranto.com/tickets Buy your gear here http://www.sonranto.com/shopping Buy your Amazon here http://www.sonranto.com/stuff Buy your shirts here http://www.intheclutch.com/sonranto CODE "SONRANTO" for 10% Off! Buy more shirts here http://www.sonranto.com/swag Listen to Bleacher Bum Band! https://open.spotify.com/album/0gedLl... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Show Notes: The Road to 88 Wins: Cubs need to finish 14-4 to have any shot at the third wild card. Current competition includes the Braves and the Mets. Breakdown of remaining 18 games and critical matchups. Performance at Wrigley Field: Wrigley has surprisingly become a pitcher-friendly park this season. Cubs' offensive struggles at home and the challenges of playing at Wrigley. Upcoming Schedule and Challenges: Cubs face the Dodgers, Rockies, Athletics, and Nationals in the final stretch. The importance of winning crucial series and managing losses. Offseason Buzz and Front Office Friction: Speculation around Jed Hoyer’s return for 2025 despite reported “friction” in the front office. Reflection on Jed’s tenure, key trades, and the team's inconsistent performance under his leadership. The Jed Hoyer Legacy: Analysis of Jed’s rebuild efforts starting with the 2021 trades. What Jed’s approach has meant for the team and whether he’s made the right moves. Thoughts on the potential for him to return next year and the possibility of a front-office shakeup. Looking Ahead: What’s next for the Cubs as they approach the offseason? Potential roster moves, including the development of young prospects like Ed Howard and Cam Smith. Importance of maintaining hope as the Cubs look to finish the season strong. Upcoming Episodes: Deep Dive into Jed’s Trades: A comprehensive breakdown of the key trades Jed Hoyer has made since taking over. Offseason Rebuild Hypotheticals: A special episode with a guest where we reimagine how the Cubs could have approached the 2023 offseason. Free Agency Analysis: A look at how the Cubs have spent in free agency and what that could mean for their future. Final Thoughts: Hope for a Hot Streak: Reflecting on historical late-season runs and the very slim possibility of a Cubs miracle. Postseason Dreams: Even with 14-4, the Cubs will need a bit of help from other teams to make the third wild card spot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s hot stove time, but the fire is just getting started, so it’s still a little chilly in here. Not much is happening yet, outside of a few moves here and there. All of the big guns are still on the board and everyone – pretty much the whole world – is waiting for Shohei Ohtani to make a decision. Do the Cubs have a shot? Could they actually land the biggest free agent in the history of baseball? Nobody knows, but it sure looks like they’re trying. Let’s see what we know about Ohtani and what other players the Cubs may be targeting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We sing Cubs-Mas Carols as we wait for the Cubs to sign some players. A little Cubs news and a whole lotta laughs! Early and ad free access when you support the Son Ranto Show by becoming a Super Ranter for only 1 dollar at http://www.patreon.com/sonranto FREE TRIALS AVAILABLE! Buy your tickets here http://www.sonranto.com/tickets Buy your gear here http://www.sonranto.com/shopping Buy your Amazon here http://www.sonranto.com/stuff Buy your shirts here http://www.intheclutch.com/sonranto CODE "SONRANTO" for 10% Off! Buy more shirts here http://www.sonranto.com/swag Listen to Bleacher Bum Band! https://open.spotify.com/album/0gedLl... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What are Cubs Fans thankful for this year? A stocked Minor League system? Being "IN" on Ohtani? Each other!? There's lots of gratitude to go around on the North Side of Chicago! Early and ad free access when you support the Son Ranto Show by becoming a Super Ranter for only 1 dollar at http://www.patreon.com/sonranto FREE TRIALS AVAILABLE! Buy your tickets here http://www.sonranto.com/tickets Buy your gear here http://www.sonranto.com/shopping Buy your Amazon here http://www.sonranto.com/stuff Buy your shirts here http://www.intheclutch.com/sonranto CODE "SONRANTO" for 10% Off! Buy more shirts here http://www.sonranto.com/swag Listen to Bleacher Bum Band! https://open.spotify.com/album/0gedLl... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Cubs have added a number of young players to the 40-man roster over the last week and today I was joined by friend of the pod, Greg Huss of Northside Bound and the Cubs on Deck podcast. We talked about the guys the Cubs added, a variety of strategies for turning prospect depth into a winning big-league club and then dove into the first year of his BASH metric, which measures offensive production across levels of the minors in a way somewhat similar to wRC+. Greg Huss can be found across social media at @OutoftheVines and @cubsondeck. His writing can be found at North Side Bound Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sara and Danny are back breaking down the Craig Counsell press conference where he basically gave the marketing department their 2024 slogan of It's Time to be a Cub. After the break they are looking at free agent rumors, including why the betting market suddenly see the Cubs in on Shohei Ohtani, the rumors that the Cubs are looking beyond Cody Bellinger and some accolades for James Triantos from the Arizona Fall League. Stick around until the end for Danny's new Craig Counsell Carol. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Cubs shock everyone by hiring Craig Counsell as their skipper and firing David Ross. Brewers Fan comedian Eric Wielo joins the Son Ranto crew to lament his "Good Enough Gang", while Reds podcaster and comedian Billy Devore shows up just to rub it in. Plus! We talk about Stroman's opt out and more fashion design contest with Project Warning Track! Early and ad free access when you support the Son Ranto Show by becoming a Super Ranter for only 1 dollar at http://www.patreon.com/sonranto FREE TRIALS AVAILABLE! Buy your tickets here http://www.sonranto.com/tickets Buy your gear here http://www.sonranto.com/shopping Buy your Amazon here http://www.sonranto.com/stuff Buy your shirts here http://www.intheclutch.com/sonranto CODE "SONRANTO" for 10% Off! Buy more shirts here http://www.sonranto.com/swag Listen to Bleacher Bum Band! https://open.spotify.com/album/0gedLl... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sara and Danny are absolutely stunned as we break down the Cubs decision to make Craig Counsell their next manager. They'll look at David Ross' tenure with the team, what fans can expect from Counsell and the players he'll be working with. Those players will not include Jeremiah Estrada, Jared Young or Marcus Stroman with the first two players claimed off waivers and the latter declining his option with the Cubs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices