Cubs Cards Cast

Dan and John discuss the final two weekends of the season as both the Cubs and Cards try to pin down playoff berths. Cubs are a virtual lock for the playoffs and are nearing a NL Central title. The Cardinals, meanwhile, are holding on to a slim lead for the second Wild Card spot.

Dan and John talk about the exciting NL Central race heading into the final two weeks. The Cubs are narrowly holding onto a 1.5 game lead over the charging Milwaukee Brewers with the Cardinals still hanging around hoping for a Wild Card. The co-hosts also talk about the game they attended this week at Wrigley and both agree Lorenzo Cain should be the NL MVP.

Dan and John talk about the sizzling Cardinals and Cubs, heading down the stretch in the NL Central. John believes the Cubs will win the division crown and Dan is not so sure. The co-hosts also talk about a bad rumor or two and ruminate on the schedule in September.

Dan and John talk about the tightening NL Central and the prospect that the Cardinals actually have a shot of displacing the Cubs as division champs. However, that possibility is a lifetime away in baseball terms as a tension filled September looms. To prepare, both teams made important roster moves.    

Dan and John talk about the Cardinals' 8-game winning streak and whether the team's improved play under manager Mike Shildt is sustainable the rest of the season. They also talk about the Cubs' positioning for the stretch run, with pending returns of Yu Darvish, Kris Bryant and Brandon Morrow.

Dan and John talk about the competitive NL Central race, where the resurgent Cardinals are threatening to climb back into the race while the Cubs and Brewers battle it out for first place despite major pitching flaws. Can Yu Darvish's expected return turn the tide for the Cubs?

Dan and John continue to talk about the Cardinals hemorrhaging play as the team reshapes its bullpen and ponders whether to buy or sell at the trade deadline this week. Meanwhile, on the North Side of Chicago, the Cubs acquire Cole Hamels and look to add another reliever as expectations grow for another NL Central title.

Dan and John talk about another bombshell week of news, primarily in St. Louis, where the front office fired manager Mike Matheny and replaced him with Mike Shildt. Will the Cardinals buy or sell at the deadline? Meanwhile, in Chicago, the Cubs continue to roll and ponder their own trade deadline acquisitions -- probably to a questionable pitching staff.

Dan and John talk about the continuing turmoil surrounding the St. Louis Cardinals, in particular two news reports that we flagged as dubious and were subsequently debunked. The Cardinals real problem is their mediocre performance and a fan base that is demanding better. Meanwhile, in Chicago, things are calmer but Cubs fans have concerns about their pitching and wonder about Anthony Rizzo's slump.

Dan and John discuss the kerfuffle over Cardinals' president John Mozeliak's bizarre comments about Dexter Fowler, questioning his effort level. Cubs' manager Joe Maddon jumped in to defend Fowler and twist the knife. Meanwhile, the Cubs win six in a row and Cardinals rebound on the West Coast after being swept by the Braves at home.

Dan and John talk about the roller coaster NL Central, where the Cardinals, left for dead a week ago, revive their fortunes, and the Cubs, seemingly inevitable division winners, show signs of trouble ahead. What seems certain is there are lots of twists, turns, and dips ahead this summer for the Cubs, Cards and Brewers.

Dan and John talk about the Cardinals horrible stretch of baseball, where losing and bad defense has become commonplace. Will the FO make dramatic moves or is this the plight of the 2018 team? Meanwhile, the Cubs are holding steady and playing solid baseball but are there issues with the pitching going forward?

A special treat this week. Dan and John are guests on the Team of Rivals podcast, another Cubs-Cardinals rivalry podcast. We are posting the podcast on the eve of a big showdown series this weekend at Busch Stadium in steamy St. Louis. Thanks to Ron and Pete for inviting us to their show!

Dan steers the podcast solo in a shortened edition as he recaps an eventful week in Cardinals Nation. Young phenom Alex Reyes is out for the season again with a lat injury and Redbird legend Red Schoendienst passes away. Meanwhile, team flounders in early games in soft part of the schedule.

Dan and John talk about each of their favorite teams obvious weakness so far in 2018 -- for the Cubs it is starting pitching and the Cards have a leaky bullpen. How each team goes about its repair business might decide the NL Central. And then there's the Milwaukee Brewers, who are sailing along in first place.

Dan and John discuss the intriguing possibilities both the Cubs and Cardinals will escape their relative mediocrity this season. For the Cubs, it might be a Manny Machado trade, or a resurgence of their starting pitching. For the Cardinals, it is the return of Alex Reyes. 

Dan and John talk about the NL Central at the quarter-pole of the season. The Cubs are worried about their starting pitching, particularly Yu Darvish, whose nickname could be "75 and sunny," referring to his lack of resilience.  The Cardinals are perplexed by their struggling offense. Both teams have bullpen concerns. And the Pirates and Brewers are surprising everyone.

Dan and John talk about the Cardinals sweep of the Cubs at Busch Stadium last weekend, the injuries and illnesses of Carlos Martinez, Yadier Molina and Yu Darvish and speculate on whether either team will trade for Manny Machado.

Dan and John talk about upcoming showdown series between the Cubs and Cardinals in St. Louis this weekend as well as the early-season troubles of Cubs pitcher Yu Darvish and the possibility of either team trading for rental superstar Manny Machado.

Dan and John discuss their teams' strong weeks and they also delve into head injuries to Kris Bryant, Tommy Pham and how they reacted quite differently. They also talk about whether Yu Darvish is mentally tough.