On the latest Cubs Talk Podcast, Leila Rahimi and Nate Poppen dive into the Cubs' selection of Cam Smith from Florida State with the 14th pick and whether he's truly a third baseman (0:54). They tackle the issue of having too many young bats without a defensive position (4:00) and discuss the Cubs' draft strategy (5:25). Leila argues the importance of drafting players with a set position (6:54). Later, the duo debates their trust in the Jed Hoyer- Carter Hawkins regime (8:40), how Paul Skenes' rise impacts prospect development (12:59), and break down the Cubs' first-half performance (15:04). T ..read more

Leila Rahimi and James Neveau break down the Cubs' series loss against the Milwaukee Brewers and the sad state of the team as July begins. They discuss the lackluster performances of key players, the team's failed free agent acquisitions and trades heading into the 2024 season, and whether the team can actually pull out of their current tailspin. They get into more upbeat news with injury updates on Javier Assad, Mark Leiter Jr. and others, but then evaluate whether or not the Cubs are the most disappointing team in the National League. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Calif ..read more

The Cubs Talk podcast takes another look at the struggling North Siders as they drop three-of-four to the Giants and hit the halfway mark of their season. James Neveau and Peter Marzano discuss the shoddy bullpen and the shocking resurgence of Kyle Hendricks before getting into their midseason awards. Shota Imanaga is likely the team’s first-half MVP, but James also offers up a couple of unexpected options. The guys also talk about the disappointing campaigns of Dansby Swanson and Hector Neris, relive their favorite moments of the 2024 season so far, and offer their hottest takes and boldest p ..read more

For the first time in a month, the Cubs have won a three-game series, and James Neveau, Nate Poppen and Peter Marzano break it all down. Kyle Hendricks’ dramatic improvement in June is showcased, along with Ian Happ’s recent surge in extra-base hits and impactful moments. The guys then discuss swing tweaks made by Dansby Swanson, and evaluate whether Hector Neris should remain as the team’s closer after multiple blown saves. Finally, they pay tribute to the incredible legacy of Willie Mays, and reveal his stunning stats against the Cubs. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Cali ..read more

In a subdued Cubs Talk podcast, James Neveau and Peter Marzano ask the question that's on everybody's minds: Can the 2024 Cubs pull out of their tailspin and make the playoffs? The guys break down the loss to the Rays, question Jed Hoyer's decision-making in constructing this year's roster, and wonder if the team's offense can break out of its slump. The guys then make predictions for the Cardinals series, and explain how guys like Dansby Swanson and Cody Bellinger must bring the star power if the Cubs have any hope this summer. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Pr ..read more

On the latest Cubs Talk Podcast, Leila Rahimi and Peter Marzano review and break down the Brewers series and the issues that are being exposed including the lack of consistent hitting (1:00). Have the Cubs prioritized defense too much in building this team and not enough offense (10:39)? Leila and Peter also discuss Pete Crow-Armstrong's return to the Cubs and if the Cubs will find him consistent at-bats (13:00). Later in the podcast, the duo debate if this is an offensive slump or if this is who they are before previewing a weekend series against the Cincinnati Reds (29:30). See Privacy Polic ..read more

In this edition of the Cubs Talk podcast, Leila Rahimi and James Neveau discuss the offensively challenged Cubs after a painful week against the Pirates and Braves. Cody Bellinger, Ian Happ and Michael Busch are all under the microscope as Craig Counsell's lineup faces scrutiny, but are the team's struggles reversible like they were in May 2023? The duo also discusses Kyle Hendricks' demotion to the bullpen, but ends the show on a positive note as they examine whether or no the Dunkin-loving Shota Imanaga should be the frontrunner for the National League Cy Young Award. See Privacy Policy at h ..read more

On this episode of the Cubs Talk Podcast, Leila Rahimi and Peter Marzano dive into the Cubs' injury woes, highlighting their impact on the team's performance. From Dansby Swanson's placement on the injured list to the importance of depth in navigating a challenging season, they explore the team's struggles and potential moves to be made upon players' return (4:00). Additionally, they review the Cubs vs. Braves series, discussing its significance as a measuring stick for the team (18:09). They also discuss Jed Hoyer's perspective on evaluating team performance beyond one-run games (27:00) and a ..read more

In today's episode of the Cubs Talk podcast, Leila Rahimi and James Neveau try to figure out what to think of the team after a homestand of mixed results. They praise the team's dominant starting pitching, but also ask questions about the struggles of players like Ian Happ and Dansby Swanson. The duo also talks about the improving health of the Cubs, with Cody Bellinger and Seiya Suzuki aiming to make an impact, but they also heap praise upon Shota Imanaga and Javier Assad, and discuss how their incredible performances have provided a firewall as the Cubs look to address issues with their line ..read more

The Cubs split a riveting four-game series in New York against the Mets that exposed some of the team's most notable strengths and weaknesses. Peter Marzano and Leila Rahimi recap four games in the Big Apple while breaking down struggles within the Cubs bullpen. Leila and Peter then discuss how the Cubs can use more out of Dansby Swanson amid recent injury woes before getting into an historic start to the season for Shota Imanaga ahead of a pivotal series against the Milwaukee Brewers. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do ..read more