1 00:00:04,240 --> 00:00:08,799 Speaker 1: Welcome into Northside Territory File Territory Networks Cubs Podcast. I'm 2 00:00:08,840 --> 00:00:12,719 Speaker 1: Sahadev Sharma, your Cubs beat writer. Over at the Athletic. 3 00:00:12,760 --> 00:00:16,200 Speaker 1: Patrick Mooney is off. He is on vacation at the 4 00:00:16,280 --> 00:00:20,560 Speaker 1: Jersey Shore. Much needed time off for Patrick. He gets 5 00:00:20,560 --> 00:00:23,640 Speaker 1: to miss out on all the hand ringing from Cubs 6 00:00:23,640 --> 00:00:26,920 Speaker 1: fans going on right now because here I am in 7 00:00:27,000 --> 00:00:30,120 Speaker 1: Saint Louis. The Cubs just lost a five to nothing 8 00:00:30,200 --> 00:00:35,120 Speaker 1: game to the Cardinals. The offense is in a rut 9 00:00:35,200 --> 00:00:38,520 Speaker 1: that you know, if you've watched this Cubs team over 10 00:00:38,560 --> 00:00:43,239 Speaker 1: the years, you have seen things like this. This is 11 00:00:43,280 --> 00:00:48,120 Speaker 1: a familiar, familiar issue where the offense looks like it's amazing, 12 00:00:48,400 --> 00:00:51,640 Speaker 1: and it was. It was the best offense, arguably the 13 00:00:51,640 --> 00:00:54,200 Speaker 1: best offense in baseball for a few months there, and 14 00:00:54,680 --> 00:00:58,560 Speaker 1: it has hit a rut right now. I think what 15 00:00:58,840 --> 00:01:03,400 Speaker 1: happened on Friday night was kind of indicative of what's 16 00:01:03,400 --> 00:01:06,040 Speaker 1: happened a lot in the past two months. The Cubs 17 00:01:06,520 --> 00:01:10,319 Speaker 1: put runners on this. This actually hasn't been happening a 18 00:01:10,360 --> 00:01:13,399 Speaker 1: lot in August. If you look back on Monday and 19 00:01:13,440 --> 00:01:16,840 Speaker 1: Tuesday against Cincinnati, they they weren't putting up much of 20 00:01:16,880 --> 00:01:21,640 Speaker 1: a threat at all offensively, it was just a quick outs, 21 00:01:21,680 --> 00:01:26,000 Speaker 1: not much action on the basis. That wasn't the case tonight. 22 00:01:26,560 --> 00:01:30,240 Speaker 1: Friday Night, the Cubs were zero for nine with runners 23 00:01:30,319 --> 00:01:34,959 Speaker 1: in scoring position. Craig Council talked after the game about 24 00:01:35,000 --> 00:01:37,200 Speaker 1: how it kind of felt like it, you know, they 25 00:01:37,200 --> 00:01:40,640 Speaker 1: should have scored some runs and that came. They certainly 26 00:01:40,720 --> 00:01:44,840 Speaker 1: shouldn't have been shut out. Carson Kelly hit two rockets 27 00:01:44,840 --> 00:01:47,960 Speaker 1: with runners in scoring position. I believe it was a 28 00:01:48,000 --> 00:01:52,000 Speaker 1: second inning, and Dansby Swanson had hit a hard line 29 00:01:52,080 --> 00:01:56,640 Speaker 1: drive to write field with runners in scoring position. Kyle 30 00:01:56,720 --> 00:01:59,600 Speaker 1: Tucker hit a line drive with runners in scoring position, 31 00:02:00,080 --> 00:02:03,160 Speaker 1: and maybe the fifth inning. There was a lot of 32 00:02:03,160 --> 00:02:06,680 Speaker 1: it there. There were eight falls hit at one hundred 33 00:02:06,720 --> 00:02:08,760 Speaker 1: miles per hour by the Cubs. Only two of those 34 00:02:08,800 --> 00:02:11,799 Speaker 1: fell for hits. It was one of those games, and 35 00:02:12,480 --> 00:02:15,720 Speaker 1: you know, if you have one or two of those, 36 00:02:17,040 --> 00:02:20,560 Speaker 1: you know in every couple of weeks, I think fans 37 00:02:21,200 --> 00:02:25,280 Speaker 1: can shrug their shoulders and say, look, this offense is 38 00:02:25,280 --> 00:02:27,920 Speaker 1: is great. We know what they can do, and you 39 00:02:28,000 --> 00:02:33,240 Speaker 1: move on. When it starts to happen every other game 40 00:02:33,520 --> 00:02:37,480 Speaker 1: or or multiple times a week, four multiple weeks in 41 00:02:37,560 --> 00:02:40,400 Speaker 1: a row, That's when you get the hand ringing. That's 42 00:02:40,400 --> 00:02:44,239 Speaker 1: when you get the justified criticism that wondering why is 43 00:02:44,280 --> 00:02:48,360 Speaker 1: this happening for such long stretches? Why is this happening again? 44 00:02:49,240 --> 00:02:51,280 Speaker 1: So let's get to it. Here's this is a mail 45 00:02:51,280 --> 00:02:53,520 Speaker 1: bag episode. I'm going to get right to the first question. 46 00:02:53,680 --> 00:02:55,560 Speaker 1: It is obviously about the offense. There were a lot 47 00:02:55,600 --> 00:02:58,919 Speaker 1: of questions like this got a lot of questions as 48 00:02:58,960 --> 00:03:01,239 Speaker 1: the game was going on and of course once the 49 00:03:01,280 --> 00:03:03,720 Speaker 1: game ended. Why is it when the Cubs offense goes 50 00:03:03,720 --> 00:03:06,160 Speaker 1: cold every year? It's the entire team at once instead 51 00:03:06,200 --> 00:03:08,639 Speaker 1: of a select few. It's a broken record every year. 52 00:03:08,720 --> 00:03:14,160 Speaker 1: This is Tyler Dershall, regular on the podcast. Look, Tyler, 53 00:03:14,639 --> 00:03:18,480 Speaker 1: I don't have an answer for that. Why does this 54 00:03:18,560 --> 00:03:21,440 Speaker 1: happen every year? I think the simple answer is it 55 00:03:21,520 --> 00:03:25,799 Speaker 1: happens to every team where there are cold stretches. This 56 00:03:25,840 --> 00:03:28,919 Speaker 1: has not been like net last year. I know it 57 00:03:29,120 --> 00:03:34,320 Speaker 1: feels like it's just this awful stretch of baseball. It 58 00:03:34,400 --> 00:03:39,040 Speaker 1: really hasn't been that long. I shouldn't say it hasn't 59 00:03:39,040 --> 00:03:41,640 Speaker 1: been that long. It hasn't been that bad. Let me 60 00:03:41,680 --> 00:03:45,840 Speaker 1: go through just run scored where they ranked a month 61 00:03:45,880 --> 00:03:51,440 Speaker 1: by month? This year April first, May tied for second, 62 00:03:51,960 --> 00:03:55,839 Speaker 1: June fifteenth, middle of the pack, not terrible. You want 63 00:03:55,880 --> 00:04:00,520 Speaker 1: to be better July eleventh, and then you know that 64 00:04:00,600 --> 00:04:03,280 Speaker 1: none of that is awful, None of that it should 65 00:04:03,360 --> 00:04:07,160 Speaker 1: lead to just tanking as far as the standings go. 66 00:04:08,000 --> 00:04:13,400 Speaker 1: This was those first four months last year, ninth and 67 00:04:13,440 --> 00:04:17,440 Speaker 1: then twenty sixth, then twenty seventh, then seventeenth. Then in 68 00:04:17,480 --> 00:04:20,560 Speaker 1: August they were third. I didn't look up September. I 69 00:04:20,560 --> 00:04:23,760 Speaker 1: think they were pretty solid offensively in September. The bottom 70 00:04:23,760 --> 00:04:27,920 Speaker 1: line is they were awful offensively for May and June 71 00:04:28,240 --> 00:04:32,240 Speaker 1: last year, just to you know, just completely lost one 72 00:04:32,240 --> 00:04:35,200 Speaker 1: of the worst offenses in baseball. The past two months 73 00:04:35,360 --> 00:04:39,720 Speaker 1: that have been middling, just outside the top ten. Really, 74 00:04:40,200 --> 00:04:42,440 Speaker 1: it hasn't been that bad August and so far it's 75 00:04:42,440 --> 00:04:45,240 Speaker 1: been pretty bad. I didn't I'm not going to bother 76 00:04:45,320 --> 00:04:49,960 Speaker 1: looking it up because it's one week, but it's it 77 00:04:50,040 --> 00:04:57,680 Speaker 1: hasn't been acceptable, I think, is the general answer you 78 00:04:57,720 --> 00:05:03,880 Speaker 1: have for August. There's no way you can justify how 79 00:05:03,920 --> 00:05:06,520 Speaker 1: bad it's been outside of just saying it's a small sample. 80 00:05:07,680 --> 00:05:12,640 Speaker 1: We talked to Jed Hoyer earlier this week, and you know, 81 00:05:13,760 --> 00:05:16,640 Speaker 1: obviously he's not gonna be in panic mode. He's not 82 00:05:16,680 --> 00:05:19,599 Speaker 1: going to talk about how how they're never pulling themselves 83 00:05:19,640 --> 00:05:23,600 Speaker 1: out of this. But he did point out that they 84 00:05:23,600 --> 00:05:26,839 Speaker 1: were probably playing over their heads with runners situationally with 85 00:05:26,920 --> 00:05:30,400 Speaker 1: runners in scoring position. The first two months and then 86 00:05:31,160 --> 00:05:34,360 Speaker 1: last eight nine weeks they've struggled, and he thinks it's 87 00:05:34,360 --> 00:05:36,599 Speaker 1: going to even out. Here are some of the numbers 88 00:05:37,000 --> 00:05:43,000 Speaker 1: pre free June fourth, So through June third, they had 89 00:05:43,000 --> 00:05:45,080 Speaker 1: a one forty four way to runs graded plus. That's 90 00:05:45,120 --> 00:05:49,479 Speaker 1: second second in baseball with runners in scoring position. Three 91 00:05:49,520 --> 00:05:53,400 Speaker 1: p thirty nine, Babbit, that's tied for first during that stretch. 92 00:05:53,480 --> 00:05:55,680 Speaker 1: So they were a little bit lucky there. That's what 93 00:05:55,760 --> 00:05:59,039 Speaker 1: Jed means by playing over their heads post June fourth. 94 00:05:59,120 --> 00:06:02,520 Speaker 1: So June fourth through Thursday's game, I didn't have it 95 00:06:02,640 --> 00:06:05,599 Speaker 1: or Wednesday's game, so it didn't have an updated the 96 00:06:05,680 --> 00:06:08,240 Speaker 1: over nine, So it's worse than this eighty five way 97 00:06:08,240 --> 00:06:10,760 Speaker 1: to runs great plus that's twenty eighth in baseball during 98 00:06:10,760 --> 00:06:14,200 Speaker 1: that span. Two point fifty four, Babe, that's twenty ninth. 99 00:06:15,320 --> 00:06:18,279 Speaker 1: So look there, the ground ball rate has gone up 100 00:06:18,279 --> 00:06:20,000 Speaker 1: a little bit with the runners in the scoring position. 101 00:06:20,680 --> 00:06:23,440 Speaker 1: The hard contact has actually gone up so the ground 102 00:06:23,440 --> 00:06:26,080 Speaker 1: ball rate obviously bad. You don't want that to go up. 103 00:06:26,720 --> 00:06:30,359 Speaker 1: The the hard hit rate has gone up during this stretch. 104 00:06:30,560 --> 00:06:32,920 Speaker 1: It's a little bit of bad luck. It's a lot 105 00:06:32,920 --> 00:06:34,640 Speaker 1: of bad luck. But there was a lot of good 106 00:06:34,760 --> 00:06:38,280 Speaker 1: luck at first. Here's the thing. So pre June fourth, 107 00:06:38,920 --> 00:06:42,760 Speaker 1: just all overall on offense, it was one twenty way 108 00:06:42,800 --> 00:06:45,800 Speaker 1: to run great plus. That's third in baseball. Post June fourth, 109 00:06:45,920 --> 00:06:49,279 Speaker 1: one oh seven way to runs grade plus, seventh in baseball. 110 00:06:49,400 --> 00:06:54,039 Speaker 1: So that's I mean, that's randomness of baseball. That's the 111 00:06:54,080 --> 00:06:58,640 Speaker 1: frustration of baseball. Look, I know, I know when when 112 00:06:59,040 --> 00:07:04,440 Speaker 1: teams are in the stretches, it absolutely feels like it's 113 00:07:04,520 --> 00:07:08,560 Speaker 1: the worst thing happening, that the team can't hit and 114 00:07:08,600 --> 00:07:11,880 Speaker 1: that they won't get out of it. They even got 115 00:07:11,880 --> 00:07:15,080 Speaker 1: out of it last year. They got better and they 116 00:07:15,120 --> 00:07:18,280 Speaker 1: turned it around. I think this is the biggest thing 117 00:07:18,640 --> 00:07:22,440 Speaker 1: I come away from all of this is so from 118 00:07:22,600 --> 00:07:28,480 Speaker 1: June and July, they're twenty seven and twenty three, I 119 00:07:28,520 --> 00:07:31,840 Speaker 1: believe is Yes, the combined June July record twenty seven 120 00:07:31,880 --> 00:07:35,920 Speaker 1: and twenty three. It's you know, it's not amazing, it's 121 00:07:35,960 --> 00:07:39,320 Speaker 1: not terrible. Twenty one and twenty four that's what they 122 00:07:39,320 --> 00:07:41,800 Speaker 1: were in May June last year when the offense collapsed 123 00:07:41,880 --> 00:07:45,480 Speaker 1: twenty one and thirty four. That's thirteen games under, four 124 00:07:45,520 --> 00:07:50,920 Speaker 1: games over in June July. Here's here's the real big 125 00:07:50,960 --> 00:07:54,840 Speaker 1: issue that this is why the panic is set in 126 00:07:54,920 --> 00:08:00,240 Speaker 1: for fans. The Milwaukee Brewers are on their greatest stretch ever. 127 00:08:00,840 --> 00:08:04,360 Speaker 1: That's not hyperbole. They just had their greatest sixty game 128 00:08:04,480 --> 00:08:08,760 Speaker 1: run in team history. They're on a forty six and 129 00:08:08,920 --> 00:08:14,040 Speaker 1: sixteen run. They were twenty four and twenty seven. I 130 00:08:14,080 --> 00:08:17,560 Speaker 1: want to say I had this up earlier. I don't 131 00:08:17,560 --> 00:08:19,800 Speaker 1: have it up right now, but twenty four and twenty seven, 132 00:08:19,840 --> 00:08:23,480 Speaker 1: I want to say, and now they have seventy one wins. 133 00:08:23,880 --> 00:08:27,480 Speaker 1: They're just they're they're on an insane run right now 134 00:08:27,480 --> 00:08:29,320 Speaker 1: and they're five games up. I'm not sure if you 135 00:08:29,360 --> 00:08:33,640 Speaker 1: saw the game Friday night, just I mean, they're winning 136 00:08:33,679 --> 00:08:37,360 Speaker 1: in every way possible, and it's like if things are 137 00:08:37,360 --> 00:08:39,080 Speaker 1: going wrong, if you want to say, things are just 138 00:08:39,120 --> 00:08:42,199 Speaker 1: going wrong for the Cubs in different ways, and they 139 00:08:42,240 --> 00:08:47,200 Speaker 1: can't you know, really nothing nothing is bouncing their way. 140 00:08:47,360 --> 00:08:53,440 Speaker 1: Everything is bouncing the Brewer's way. Everything they Kodai Singa 141 00:08:53,520 --> 00:08:57,160 Speaker 1: made an error. Next next batter hits a two run homer, 142 00:08:58,840 --> 00:09:02,079 Speaker 1: the Mets seem to have gotten the game, the game 143 00:09:02,160 --> 00:09:07,240 Speaker 1: tying hit runner thrown out at home to end the game. 144 00:09:07,800 --> 00:09:12,840 Speaker 1: Just they're just everything's happening that everything good is happening 145 00:09:12,880 --> 00:09:15,640 Speaker 1: for the Brewers right now. Look, I don't like when 146 00:09:15,679 --> 00:09:18,800 Speaker 1: you have a stretch like this. It's often enough to 147 00:09:18,920 --> 00:09:22,080 Speaker 1: win a division or make the playoffs. So I'm not 148 00:09:22,120 --> 00:09:25,040 Speaker 1: gonna sit here and tell you that the Cubs are 149 00:09:25,040 --> 00:09:27,360 Speaker 1: going to catch them, because the Brewers are eventually going 150 00:09:27,440 --> 00:09:29,360 Speaker 1: to cool off. This is the type of run that 151 00:09:29,400 --> 00:09:32,800 Speaker 1: you go on that wins you a division, So they 152 00:09:32,960 --> 00:09:36,480 Speaker 1: very well may be securing the division right now. I 153 00:09:36,520 --> 00:09:38,760 Speaker 1: think the Cubs are going to turn things around. I 154 00:09:38,760 --> 00:09:42,120 Speaker 1: think the Cubs are going to make the playoffs. I 155 00:09:42,280 --> 00:09:45,280 Speaker 1: also just don't know what's going to happen with this division. 156 00:09:45,320 --> 00:09:49,000 Speaker 1: The Brewers have really gone on a run, the type 157 00:09:49,000 --> 00:09:52,680 Speaker 1: of run that you have to respect and the type 158 00:09:52,679 --> 00:09:55,280 Speaker 1: of run that you need to win a division. The 159 00:09:55,320 --> 00:09:58,920 Speaker 1: Cubs are fighting for the second best record in baseball 160 00:09:59,000 --> 00:10:02,720 Speaker 1: right now. Unfortunately, they're in the same division as the 161 00:10:02,840 --> 00:10:07,520 Speaker 1: best team in baseball that's having just an insane run. 162 00:10:08,160 --> 00:10:10,840 Speaker 1: Let's take a quick break and then I'll come back 163 00:10:10,840 --> 00:10:12,840 Speaker 1: with some more of your questions. Kratz. 164 00:10:12,880 --> 00:10:14,480 Speaker 2: There are a lot of people out there that pay 165 00:10:14,520 --> 00:10:16,000 Speaker 2: rent and they don't get anything for it. 166 00:10:17,040 --> 00:10:19,080 Speaker 1: Might as well change that. You can get some rewards 167 00:10:19,120 --> 00:10:21,320 Speaker 1: for flights, hotels, tons of stuff. 168 00:10:22,120 --> 00:10:25,280 Speaker 2: With Built, you can earn flexible points that can be 169 00:10:25,400 --> 00:10:30,200 Speaker 2: redeemed towards airlines, hotels, a future rent payment, your next 170 00:10:30,240 --> 00:10:32,880 Speaker 2: lift right, and much more. It doesn't stop there. Built 171 00:10:32,920 --> 00:10:35,839 Speaker 2: is about making your entire neighborhood more rewarding. You can 172 00:10:35,840 --> 00:10:39,319 Speaker 2: dine out at your favorite local restaurants and enjoy experiences 173 00:10:39,520 --> 00:10:41,320 Speaker 2: just for Built members. Every month. 174 00:10:41,720 --> 00:10:43,480 Speaker 1: They're turning a monthly expense. 175 00:10:43,160 --> 00:10:45,719 Speaker 2: Into an opportunity to earn rewards and discover the best 176 00:10:45,760 --> 00:10:48,479 Speaker 2: that your neighborhood has to offer. Your rent is finally 177 00:10:49,040 --> 00:10:52,400 Speaker 2: working for you. Earn points on rent and around your 178 00:10:52,400 --> 00:10:55,800 Speaker 2: neighborhood wherever you call home by going to join Built 179 00:10:55,960 --> 00:11:00,400 Speaker 2: dot com slash foul. That's JOI N B I l 180 00:11:00,559 --> 00:11:02,640 Speaker 2: T dot com slash. 181 00:11:02,440 --> 00:11:03,240 Speaker 1: F o u L. 182 00:11:03,760 --> 00:11:06,040 Speaker 2: Make sure to use our u r L so they 183 00:11:06,080 --> 00:11:09,160 Speaker 2: know we sent you. Join Built dot com slash foul. 184 00:11:09,280 --> 00:11:17,280 Speaker 1: Go for it all right, Uh, there's but I think 185 00:11:17,280 --> 00:11:20,040 Speaker 1: I could talk about the offense and those issues. Uh 186 00:11:20,840 --> 00:11:25,000 Speaker 1: for this entire episode. Uh, this this question isn't exactly 187 00:11:25,080 --> 00:11:28,760 Speaker 1: about the offense. What effect do you think the lack 188 00:11:28,800 --> 00:11:32,600 Speaker 1: of movement at the deadline has had on the team overall? 189 00:11:32,800 --> 00:11:35,760 Speaker 1: It seems like the team is grinding and expecting some reinforcements. 190 00:11:36,480 --> 00:11:40,840 Speaker 1: This is from Lord of Thunder Look. I cannot. I 191 00:11:40,880 --> 00:11:44,160 Speaker 1: can't answer that question with any you know, certainty. I 192 00:11:44,160 --> 00:11:47,720 Speaker 1: have not noticed. I no one has said anything to 193 00:11:47,760 --> 00:11:49,839 Speaker 1: me on or off the record that like, we're really 194 00:11:49,880 --> 00:11:54,840 Speaker 1: disappointed that Jedler didn't go out and get the player X, 195 00:11:54,960 --> 00:11:59,560 Speaker 1: Y or Z. Here's the thing, it's not they needed 196 00:11:59,559 --> 00:12:02,320 Speaker 1: to go get more starting pitching at the deadline. They didn't. 197 00:12:02,760 --> 00:12:05,640 Speaker 1: That's not what's hurt them. Since the deadline hit. They've 198 00:12:05,679 --> 00:12:09,360 Speaker 1: pitched brilliantly. They've pitched really well lately, and you have 199 00:12:09,440 --> 00:12:13,640 Speaker 1: to give them credit for that, you know, I don't 200 00:12:13,640 --> 00:12:18,160 Speaker 1: think you can. It's hard to know what type of 201 00:12:18,200 --> 00:12:21,320 Speaker 1: impact these things have because I can't jump in their heads, 202 00:12:21,400 --> 00:12:23,920 Speaker 1: and nobody's said anything about it, so it's hard to 203 00:12:23,960 --> 00:12:27,120 Speaker 1: know for sure. I will say that the Brewers didn't 204 00:12:27,120 --> 00:12:30,679 Speaker 1: make any moves, nothing significant, But maybe those teams kind 205 00:12:30,679 --> 00:12:33,840 Speaker 1: of maybe that team kind of expects that. Maybe that's 206 00:12:33,920 --> 00:12:36,560 Speaker 1: kind of what they know, that's what they've experienced. So 207 00:12:36,640 --> 00:12:40,000 Speaker 1: maybe there's no letdown factor there. Boston didn't do anything. 208 00:12:40,120 --> 00:12:44,680 Speaker 1: Boston is probably comparable to the Cubs. There's no letdown there. 209 00:12:44,720 --> 00:12:47,640 Speaker 1: That team's been playing well. I just think the offensive 210 00:12:47,760 --> 00:12:49,800 Speaker 1: is in a rut. I do not think this is 211 00:12:49,880 --> 00:12:55,520 Speaker 1: some mental game due to the lack of action at 212 00:12:55,520 --> 00:12:59,240 Speaker 1: the deadline. In fact, at the deadline they added two 213 00:12:59,280 --> 00:13:04,000 Speaker 1: good relievers, Andrew Kittridge Taylor Rogers. They're they're good, they're 214 00:13:04,000 --> 00:13:07,720 Speaker 1: good relievers, they're well liked in the clubhouse. And then 215 00:13:07,760 --> 00:13:10,200 Speaker 1: if you want to talk about the offense, Willie castro 216 00:13:10,559 --> 00:13:14,800 Speaker 1: Is is a great addition. He can play every position 217 00:13:14,920 --> 00:13:18,199 Speaker 1: pretty much, and he's a great energy guy. Like he's 218 00:13:18,480 --> 00:13:21,160 Speaker 1: like well liked in the clubhouse, you can see it 219 00:13:21,200 --> 00:13:24,719 Speaker 1: on the field. Uh there's that's the type of guy 220 00:13:24,760 --> 00:13:28,960 Speaker 1: that can energize the group. So I get the question, 221 00:13:29,040 --> 00:13:32,199 Speaker 1: and I won't dismiss it. I don't think it's something 222 00:13:32,400 --> 00:13:36,160 Speaker 1: that isn't real. I do think that's happened in the 223 00:13:36,200 --> 00:13:40,400 Speaker 1: past with with teams. I don't think that's the case here. 224 00:13:40,440 --> 00:13:43,560 Speaker 1: I I just think the offense is in a rut 225 00:13:43,600 --> 00:13:47,200 Speaker 1: and it and it. You know, basically, the stars need 226 00:13:47,240 --> 00:13:48,880 Speaker 1: to play. I think that's I didn't bring that up 227 00:13:48,920 --> 00:13:52,959 Speaker 1: in the last segment, but Michael Bush is struggling. Michael 228 00:13:52,960 --> 00:13:56,679 Speaker 1: Bush doesn't look good at the plate. Kyle Tucker hasn't 229 00:13:56,720 --> 00:14:00,240 Speaker 1: hit for power for over a month now. It's been 230 00:14:00,240 --> 00:14:03,199 Speaker 1: a long time since he's hit for power consistently. Has 231 00:14:03,320 --> 00:14:07,000 Speaker 1: one home run since July first. That's not that's not 232 00:14:07,040 --> 00:14:08,559 Speaker 1: going to cut it for him. You need him to 233 00:14:08,640 --> 00:14:11,040 Speaker 1: hit the ball hard in the air and into the 234 00:14:11,080 --> 00:14:15,120 Speaker 1: seats on occasion. He's not finding gaps. Uh, that's that's 235 00:14:15,160 --> 00:14:17,360 Speaker 1: a big deal. Pete's in a little bit of a slump. 236 00:14:17,400 --> 00:14:17,640 Speaker 3: Pete. 237 00:14:18,040 --> 00:14:21,360 Speaker 1: Pete's been actually really good. He was really good in July. 238 00:14:21,800 --> 00:14:25,560 Speaker 1: He's hit the skids the past week now. It's it's 239 00:14:26,160 --> 00:14:28,600 Speaker 1: a lot of strikeouts. I think, you know, you can 240 00:14:28,720 --> 00:14:31,320 Speaker 1: kind of see like not as many. I don't think 241 00:14:31,320 --> 00:14:33,960 Speaker 1: he's struck out Friday night. I don't have my box 242 00:14:34,000 --> 00:14:38,160 Speaker 1: score in front of me, So that's I mean, if 243 00:14:38,200 --> 00:14:42,480 Speaker 1: you want to take a little bit of happiness from something, yeah, 244 00:14:42,640 --> 00:14:45,000 Speaker 1: he went over for but no strikeouts, So I guess 245 00:14:45,080 --> 00:14:48,720 Speaker 1: you can you can take that and and maybe hope 246 00:14:48,760 --> 00:14:52,960 Speaker 1: that that leads to better things for Pete Sey Suzuki 247 00:14:53,040 --> 00:14:55,360 Speaker 1: has been hitting the ball hard the past couple of games, 248 00:14:55,360 --> 00:14:57,880 Speaker 1: and that's a good side. He was struggling for a 249 00:14:57,880 --> 00:15:00,520 Speaker 1: couple of weeks there after a few games out and 250 00:15:00,600 --> 00:15:02,840 Speaker 1: a couple of good games out of the break, and 251 00:15:02,880 --> 00:15:08,200 Speaker 1: then struggled basically that Sunday when they faced Garrett Crochet 252 00:15:09,520 --> 00:15:13,160 Speaker 1: and on. He was struggling until Wednesday and had some 253 00:15:13,320 --> 00:15:17,640 Speaker 1: obviously some big hits. Those four guys are the guys 254 00:15:17,920 --> 00:15:21,480 Speaker 1: that you need to perform. If they don't perform, then 255 00:15:21,800 --> 00:15:24,480 Speaker 1: then none of it really matters. We can you know, 256 00:15:24,520 --> 00:15:26,600 Speaker 1: you can complain about others or say they need to 257 00:15:26,640 --> 00:15:30,760 Speaker 1: step up those If all four of those guys are 258 00:15:30,800 --> 00:15:33,480 Speaker 1: struggling at once, you get what's happened at the beginning 259 00:15:33,480 --> 00:15:37,600 Speaker 1: of August here, which is, you know, it's a three 260 00:15:37,680 --> 00:15:40,840 Speaker 1: and four stretch I believe to start the month of August. 261 00:15:41,560 --> 00:15:44,560 Speaker 1: But the offense just isn't there. They've had like one 262 00:15:44,720 --> 00:15:47,720 Speaker 1: good game this month one week into the month. So 263 00:15:47,760 --> 00:15:50,360 Speaker 1: I'm not going to overreact to the It's really the hitters. 264 00:15:50,560 --> 00:15:53,120 Speaker 1: It's really the hitting with scoring position. Like I discussed 265 00:15:53,160 --> 00:15:57,280 Speaker 1: last segment, I think that's it's just such a huge 266 00:15:57,440 --> 00:16:00,920 Speaker 1: aspect of this of it all. And know if you don't, 267 00:16:01,040 --> 00:16:03,840 Speaker 1: if you don't hit with runners in scoring position, feels 268 00:16:04,160 --> 00:16:07,480 Speaker 1: like the end of the world. It really does. So I, 269 00:16:07,560 --> 00:16:11,560 Speaker 1: you know, I we've been through these ups and downs before. 270 00:16:12,000 --> 00:16:14,120 Speaker 1: You just have to hope that they nip it in 271 00:16:14,160 --> 00:16:16,560 Speaker 1: the bud soon and the offense gets going because it 272 00:16:16,640 --> 00:16:18,800 Speaker 1: has to be Kyle Tucker, it has to be Michael Bush, 273 00:16:18,920 --> 00:16:21,040 Speaker 1: it has to be those guys Pete r. Armstrong, that 274 00:16:21,080 --> 00:16:25,640 Speaker 1: they have to start hitting all right. Next question is 275 00:16:25,680 --> 00:16:28,960 Speaker 1: from a lease, what do you think is more likely 276 00:16:29,040 --> 00:16:33,520 Speaker 1: to do two DFAs or Ben Brown and Kate Horton 277 00:16:33,640 --> 00:16:35,600 Speaker 1: sent down to make room for a sudden tie on. 278 00:16:37,040 --> 00:16:40,120 Speaker 1: So so I need to make sure that I couldn't 279 00:16:40,120 --> 00:16:42,800 Speaker 1: fit it all in here. But at least understands that 280 00:16:43,120 --> 00:16:48,040 Speaker 1: even the suggestion of sending Kate Horton sounds ridiculous. But 281 00:16:48,120 --> 00:16:51,040 Speaker 1: I understand your point. A. You don't want to lose anyone. 282 00:16:51,280 --> 00:16:54,600 Speaker 1: It's Craig Council mindset, don't you know, don't lose that 283 00:16:54,720 --> 00:17:00,760 Speaker 1: depth and and B like I don't think the Cubs 284 00:17:00,800 --> 00:17:03,800 Speaker 1: would rule out the idea of sending Kid Horton down. 285 00:17:03,840 --> 00:17:05,960 Speaker 1: I don't want to. I don't think they're going to 286 00:17:06,040 --> 00:17:08,400 Speaker 1: do that in time soon. But obviously, I mean, look 287 00:17:08,440 --> 00:17:10,960 Speaker 1: at the way Greig Council is managing him. They're being 288 00:17:11,119 --> 00:17:15,080 Speaker 1: very careful with his pitches, his innings, his workload. I 289 00:17:15,080 --> 00:17:17,640 Speaker 1: should just say, because it's not pitches and innings, it's 290 00:17:17,720 --> 00:17:20,800 Speaker 1: just how the body is reacting to everything. They measure 291 00:17:20,840 --> 00:17:25,560 Speaker 1: everything nowadays, so you know it's it's it's everything that 292 00:17:25,680 --> 00:17:29,080 Speaker 1: they're paying attention to. I don't know how it would work. 293 00:17:29,320 --> 00:17:32,880 Speaker 1: I don't know how he would take it. I don't 294 00:17:32,920 --> 00:17:36,200 Speaker 1: know how the Players Association would react to it. There's 295 00:17:36,240 --> 00:17:38,520 Speaker 1: a lot of issues with sending a guy down when 296 00:17:38,520 --> 00:17:42,879 Speaker 1: they're playing really well because there's service time concerns. So 297 00:17:43,119 --> 00:17:47,760 Speaker 1: I don't know exactly the best way to to how 298 00:17:47,800 --> 00:17:51,160 Speaker 1: these things are handled, because you do have to watch 299 00:17:51,200 --> 00:17:58,119 Speaker 1: his workload. If I had to guess, tie On, the 300 00:17:58,240 --> 00:18:03,560 Speaker 1: SOROCA injury does through a to things. But you could 301 00:18:03,680 --> 00:18:08,320 Speaker 1: very easily have Ben Brown sent down for tie On 302 00:18:09,320 --> 00:18:13,399 Speaker 1: and Asad could be optioned, a SOD could come up. 303 00:18:13,440 --> 00:18:17,760 Speaker 1: Who did they I guess it would have to do 304 00:18:17,920 --> 00:18:20,880 Speaker 1: with who who they called up. I'm blanking on who 305 00:18:20,920 --> 00:18:25,159 Speaker 1: they called up for Soroca, let's know Nate Pearson, so 306 00:18:25,200 --> 00:18:29,200 Speaker 1: you could option Nate Pearson. Uh, that that's probably it, right, 307 00:18:29,280 --> 00:18:32,359 Speaker 1: It's an option Nate Pearson for whoever comes up first. 308 00:18:32,440 --> 00:18:35,520 Speaker 1: And then if Soroka is not back because it was 309 00:18:35,960 --> 00:18:38,000 Speaker 1: you know there, we'll see if it's a minimum stay. 310 00:18:40,040 --> 00:18:43,480 Speaker 1: If it's a SOD, you can option him. You can 311 00:18:43,520 --> 00:18:49,240 Speaker 1: option Ben Brown. I don't want to use the word options, 312 00:18:49,240 --> 00:18:53,439 Speaker 1: but you have you have options here. I don't think 313 00:18:54,119 --> 00:18:57,480 Speaker 1: you need to DFA anyone just yet. We'll see how 314 00:18:57,840 --> 00:18:59,960 Speaker 1: how the rest of the bullpen arms go. But there 315 00:19:00,160 --> 00:19:02,679 Speaker 1: there's enough good arms in there that I agree. I 316 00:19:02,680 --> 00:19:04,960 Speaker 1: don't I think you'd want to send guys out. I 317 00:19:05,040 --> 00:19:07,760 Speaker 1: don't think Horton's on that list right now, but I 318 00:19:07,840 --> 00:19:12,720 Speaker 1: understand the idea, and you know, we'll see what happens 319 00:19:12,760 --> 00:19:17,280 Speaker 1: how they try and handle his workload. Speaking of Ben Brown, 320 00:19:17,359 --> 00:19:26,280 Speaker 1: it's now time for our Draft Kings player spotlight. All right. 321 00:19:26,480 --> 00:19:30,879 Speaker 1: I wanted to talk about Ben Brown because he takes 322 00:19:30,920 --> 00:19:34,359 Speaker 1: a lot of heat. He has struggled, he has a 323 00:19:34,480 --> 00:19:39,520 Speaker 1: six E R. He he hasn't lived up to his 324 00:19:39,680 --> 00:19:47,400 Speaker 1: potential this season results wise, but he he's come in 325 00:19:47,440 --> 00:19:51,240 Speaker 1: the last two times out he came in to start. 326 00:19:51,480 --> 00:19:55,359 Speaker 1: He started against the White Sox. I believe that was 327 00:19:56,440 --> 00:20:00,520 Speaker 1: that was after the loss too, that the loss they 328 00:20:00,560 --> 00:20:04,320 Speaker 1: got blown out, right, I can I can double check that, 329 00:20:04,680 --> 00:20:09,439 Speaker 1: but I believe it was Saturday when he pitched and 330 00:20:09,440 --> 00:20:12,960 Speaker 1: and they you know, they had just gotten blown out. 331 00:20:13,240 --> 00:20:16,159 Speaker 1: He pitched on Sunday, so it was it was to 332 00:20:16,240 --> 00:20:19,360 Speaker 1: win that series. It was a nice they needed that 333 00:20:19,480 --> 00:20:23,199 Speaker 1: from him for strikeouts five innings. I was impressed with 334 00:20:23,240 --> 00:20:26,440 Speaker 1: what he did against the Reds. They obviously lost that game. 335 00:20:26,520 --> 00:20:28,960 Speaker 1: That was at the Andrew Kidtridge. I believe that was 336 00:20:28,960 --> 00:20:34,120 Speaker 1: the Andrew Kittridge blew the game for them. But no, 337 00:20:34,160 --> 00:20:36,639 Speaker 1: it wasn't. It was a different game either way. I'm 338 00:20:36,680 --> 00:20:38,560 Speaker 1: mixing up my games. This is what happens when you 339 00:20:38,600 --> 00:20:40,960 Speaker 1: watch too many games. You can't keep them all straight. 340 00:20:41,119 --> 00:20:44,719 Speaker 1: But he pitched really well in relief of Soroka. That 341 00:20:45,040 --> 00:20:49,200 Speaker 1: was the offense just didn't deliver. I believe Brazier gave 342 00:20:49,280 --> 00:20:52,119 Speaker 1: up some gave up or run after some dinks and dunks. 343 00:20:52,119 --> 00:20:55,720 Speaker 1: It wasn't. It wasn't on Ben Brown. Ben Brown's run 344 00:20:55,760 --> 00:21:00,760 Speaker 1: that he gave up wasn't even that was kind of 345 00:21:00,800 --> 00:21:04,119 Speaker 1: one of those Gift runs that probably shouldn't have scored. 346 00:21:04,880 --> 00:21:07,720 Speaker 1: I think he deserves some credit. I think he deserves 347 00:21:07,920 --> 00:21:11,520 Speaker 1: some love because this is a guy that's really, you know, 348 00:21:11,720 --> 00:21:15,679 Speaker 1: just hasn't had the results this year and in the 349 00:21:15,720 --> 00:21:19,760 Speaker 1: past two times out he's produced. I think what you 350 00:21:19,920 --> 00:21:22,280 Speaker 1: may see from Ben Brown look first of all, the 351 00:21:22,680 --> 00:21:25,760 Speaker 1: Cincinnati outing, I do wonder how much of it is 352 00:21:26,280 --> 00:21:28,159 Speaker 1: he was just called upon at the last minute, Like 353 00:21:28,240 --> 00:21:30,280 Speaker 1: he didn't know he was going to go out there 354 00:21:30,320 --> 00:21:32,880 Speaker 1: at that point, and because of the injury he had 355 00:21:32,920 --> 00:21:35,639 Speaker 1: to go out there. I do think sometimes Ben Brown 356 00:21:37,400 --> 00:21:41,720 Speaker 1: can overthink things when he's on the mound again, Like 357 00:21:41,800 --> 00:21:44,679 Speaker 1: I don't love try to jump into someone's head. But 358 00:21:44,680 --> 00:21:48,720 Speaker 1: he's talked about how sometimes he needs to be better 359 00:21:48,760 --> 00:21:53,439 Speaker 1: about the bad moment not leading to him unraveling. And 360 00:21:53,680 --> 00:21:58,680 Speaker 1: I think, you know, maybe just being called upon without him, 361 00:21:58,920 --> 00:22:01,240 Speaker 1: you know, having to think much about it, allowed him 362 00:22:01,240 --> 00:22:04,600 Speaker 1: to just lock in and go out there and pitch. Ultimately, 363 00:22:04,760 --> 00:22:07,560 Speaker 1: whether he's sent down or not, whenever Tyne comes back, 364 00:22:07,600 --> 00:22:10,919 Speaker 1: when Asad comes back, I think he's going to be 365 00:22:11,240 --> 00:22:16,280 Speaker 1: an important part of this bullpen in this team down 366 00:22:16,320 --> 00:22:19,720 Speaker 1: the stretch. I think Ben Brown, maybe he's not a starter, 367 00:22:20,320 --> 00:22:25,440 Speaker 1: but he's an incredibly important pitcher. I shouldn't say important, 368 00:22:25,480 --> 00:22:31,119 Speaker 1: impactful pitcher, potentially impactful pitcher. So I'm curious to see 369 00:22:31,280 --> 00:22:34,400 Speaker 1: what role he can hold. I think multi inning reliever 370 00:22:35,000 --> 00:22:38,000 Speaker 1: could be really important. I just talked about Kate Horton 371 00:22:38,040 --> 00:22:41,960 Speaker 1: and his innings and his trying to manage his workload. 372 00:22:43,080 --> 00:22:45,719 Speaker 1: Ben Brown could be a big factor there in helping that. 373 00:22:46,119 --> 00:22:48,800 Speaker 1: If you want to reduce, if you want to keep 374 00:22:49,520 --> 00:22:54,080 Speaker 1: Kate Horton starts shorter, you can bring in Ben Brown 375 00:22:54,200 --> 00:22:56,359 Speaker 1: to eat a couple of innings perhaps. I think that 376 00:22:56,400 --> 00:23:00,880 Speaker 1: would be huge if he could actually do that. Yeah, 377 00:23:00,920 --> 00:23:04,680 Speaker 1: I definitely believe he's going to be an impactful part 378 00:23:04,680 --> 00:23:07,200 Speaker 1: of this team down the stretch, and in a role 379 00:23:07,280 --> 00:23:10,560 Speaker 1: that's not so much as a starter, but you know, 380 00:23:10,800 --> 00:23:14,200 Speaker 1: like Greig Council likes to say, out get her all right. Now, 381 00:23:14,280 --> 00:23:17,280 Speaker 1: let's turn it over to producer Jeremy Meyer for our 382 00:23:17,400 --> 00:23:19,520 Speaker 1: north Side Territory Producer pick. 383 00:23:19,960 --> 00:23:22,720 Speaker 3: Thanks ahadiv good to get in the win column last week, 384 00:23:22,880 --> 00:23:26,600 Speaker 3: the underhit even going extra innings. For this week's North 385 00:23:26,640 --> 00:23:30,000 Speaker 3: Side Territory Producer pick, I'm taking the Phillies money line 386 00:23:30,000 --> 00:23:33,520 Speaker 3: at plus one twelve over the Rangers. Philly is five 387 00:23:33,560 --> 00:23:36,360 Speaker 3: and two in August, and hayesus Lozardo looks to make 388 00:23:36,440 --> 00:23:39,399 Speaker 3: his third excellent start in a row. I'm putting one 389 00:23:39,440 --> 00:23:42,720 Speaker 3: hundred dollars down on DraftKings Sportsbook to win one twelve 390 00:23:43,000 --> 00:23:44,040 Speaker 3: so hotif back. 391 00:23:43,880 --> 00:23:47,520 Speaker 1: To you, download the DraftKings Sportsbook app and use code foul. 392 00:23:47,640 --> 00:23:50,200 Speaker 1: That's code foul for new customers to get one hundred 393 00:23:50,200 --> 00:23:52,600 Speaker 1: and fifty dollars at bonus bets instantly when you bet 394 00:23:52,720 --> 00:23:56,560 Speaker 1: just five bucks only on DraftKings. The crown is. 395 00:23:56,680 --> 00:23:59,359 Speaker 4: Your gambling problem called one eight hundred gambler In New 396 00:23:59,440 --> 00:24:01,560 Speaker 4: York call eight seven seven eight hope and wy are 397 00:24:01,600 --> 00:24:03,880 Speaker 4: text hope and y and four six seven three six nine. 398 00:24:03,960 --> 00:24:06,760 Speaker 4: In Connecticut, help is available for problem gambling called eight 399 00:24:06,760 --> 00:24:08,960 Speaker 4: eight eight seven eight nine seven seven seven seven or 400 00:24:09,080 --> 00:24:12,040 Speaker 4: visit CCPG dot org. Please play responsibly on behalf of 401 00:24:12,080 --> 00:24:14,960 Speaker 4: Boothill Casino when resorting Kansas twenty one on over agent. 402 00:24:15,000 --> 00:24:18,560 Speaker 4: Eligibility varies by jurisdiction Voyden, Ontario. Bonus bets expires seven 403 00:24:18,640 --> 00:24:21,200 Speaker 4: days after issue INCE four. Additional terms and responsible gaming 404 00:24:21,240 --> 00:24:23,159 Speaker 4: resources see DKNNG dot co. 405 00:24:23,320 --> 00:24:27,120 Speaker 1: Slash audio this question up here a very simple one 406 00:24:27,160 --> 00:24:30,639 Speaker 1: from pill Hill wants to know why should I be 407 00:24:30,760 --> 00:24:36,679 Speaker 1: optimistic about this team? Phil, Like I wrote this in 408 00:24:36,760 --> 00:24:39,639 Speaker 1: my piece that's going to go up that that maybe 409 00:24:39,720 --> 00:24:44,520 Speaker 1: you guys are already read. Uh, it's really hard to 410 00:24:44,520 --> 00:24:49,000 Speaker 1: be optimistic when things aren't going right. It's very easy 411 00:24:49,520 --> 00:24:54,119 Speaker 1: to believe the bad things will continue. It's just the 412 00:24:54,240 --> 00:24:58,720 Speaker 1: general it's it's when when things don't go right, when 413 00:24:58,800 --> 00:25:02,679 Speaker 1: when things have kind of slipped for an extended period 414 00:25:02,720 --> 00:25:06,720 Speaker 1: of time, whether it be a week, two months, whatever 415 00:25:06,760 --> 00:25:10,400 Speaker 1: it is, it can feel like it just won't end. 416 00:25:11,280 --> 00:25:16,399 Speaker 1: I don't believe this is a bad team now. Is 417 00:25:16,440 --> 00:25:19,440 Speaker 1: the offense going to get back to April and May? 418 00:25:19,720 --> 00:25:23,480 Speaker 1: I don't know if that's realistic. I don't think it's 419 00:25:24,720 --> 00:25:28,879 Speaker 1: what it has been of late. And I think the 420 00:25:28,960 --> 00:25:34,120 Speaker 1: optimism for me laz in the fact that they haven't 421 00:25:34,440 --> 00:25:39,959 Speaker 1: been that great with in situational situationally, they have not 422 00:25:40,160 --> 00:25:44,000 Speaker 1: been that great lately. They were they were amazing for 423 00:25:44,040 --> 00:25:48,160 Speaker 1: a couple of months there, and suddenly that's dropped off 424 00:25:48,240 --> 00:25:52,800 Speaker 1: for a couple months now and they still are winning games. 425 00:25:52,880 --> 00:25:56,640 Speaker 1: They're still above five hundred during that stretch, and they're 426 00:25:56,680 --> 00:26:00,480 Speaker 1: fighting for the second best record in baseball. They're not 427 00:26:00,600 --> 00:26:02,960 Speaker 1: completely out of the division. I know, five games is 428 00:26:03,000 --> 00:26:05,520 Speaker 1: a lot. It feels like a lot. It's a big 429 00:26:05,560 --> 00:26:07,919 Speaker 1: mountain to climb. I'm not sure if they're going to 430 00:26:07,960 --> 00:26:12,000 Speaker 1: be able to pull that off. But things turn quickly 431 00:26:12,040 --> 00:26:17,440 Speaker 1: in baseball. Every team, every team goes through these moments 432 00:26:17,880 --> 00:26:22,000 Speaker 1: and it seems like nothing will go right and that 433 00:26:23,359 --> 00:26:27,200 Speaker 1: they're just not good enough. I pay attention to a 434 00:26:27,280 --> 00:26:32,000 Speaker 1: lot of other teams, and I hear other fan bases. 435 00:26:32,640 --> 00:26:35,359 Speaker 1: Believe me, the Cubs fans are not the only ones 436 00:26:36,560 --> 00:26:39,800 Speaker 1: reacting this way. The only ones that aren't reacting this 437 00:26:39,840 --> 00:26:42,800 Speaker 1: way right now are the Brewers. They're on this insane 438 00:26:42,960 --> 00:26:47,400 Speaker 1: run and they're just you know, it's one of these 439 00:26:47,600 --> 00:26:51,720 Speaker 1: rare runs that you see in baseball. But the Phillies, 440 00:26:52,280 --> 00:26:56,679 Speaker 1: the Mets, the Dodgers, the Padres, all of them have 441 00:26:56,760 --> 00:27:01,760 Speaker 1: their flaws, all of them. Toronto is is played really 442 00:27:01,760 --> 00:27:04,560 Speaker 1: well right now, but they're even them that they've hit 443 00:27:04,600 --> 00:27:07,159 Speaker 1: the skids. I shouldn't say hit the kids. They're not 444 00:27:07,400 --> 00:27:10,640 Speaker 1: at the same pace that they were. You know, two 445 00:27:10,680 --> 00:27:13,439 Speaker 1: weeks ago. The Red Sox are hot right now. The 446 00:27:13,520 --> 00:27:18,720 Speaker 1: Tigers have really struggled. There's something like panic among among 447 00:27:18,800 --> 00:27:23,320 Speaker 1: Tigers fans and and and the media there really pressing 448 00:27:23,320 --> 00:27:26,560 Speaker 1: Scott Harris for not adding at the deadline. Uh, the 449 00:27:26,600 --> 00:27:29,680 Speaker 1: Cleveland Guardians were like a dozen games out and now 450 00:27:29,680 --> 00:27:34,080 Speaker 1: there's just six games back. You know, there's there's always 451 00:27:34,119 --> 00:27:37,720 Speaker 1: you can you can point to, like every team that's good, 452 00:27:37,960 --> 00:27:41,360 Speaker 1: and they've had really rough stretches. What you've seen from 453 00:27:41,359 --> 00:27:45,040 Speaker 1: the Cubs is it is they need to be better. 454 00:27:45,320 --> 00:27:48,119 Speaker 1: I don't think I'm going to argue with any of that. 455 00:27:48,320 --> 00:27:51,199 Speaker 1: I just think the the idea that you can't be 456 00:27:51,240 --> 00:27:55,840 Speaker 1: optimistic anymore. Look, I get it like fans aren't going 457 00:27:55,960 --> 00:27:58,560 Speaker 1: to want to hear the rational take all the time. 458 00:27:59,800 --> 00:28:04,320 Speaker 1: I also think that fans should. You know, sometimes it's 459 00:28:04,320 --> 00:28:07,320 Speaker 1: fun to live in the moment and ride the roller coaster. 460 00:28:08,280 --> 00:28:10,520 Speaker 1: You guys are watching one hundred and sixty two games. 461 00:28:10,520 --> 00:28:14,280 Speaker 1: You're very intense about this stuff, so you know, the 462 00:28:14,359 --> 00:28:18,399 Speaker 1: emotions go up and down. It's pretty normal. I was 463 00:28:18,440 --> 00:28:22,840 Speaker 1: a fan once. I think in this role as a reporter, 464 00:28:23,040 --> 00:28:28,960 Speaker 1: I've learned how to take not take it game by game, 465 00:28:29,040 --> 00:28:33,280 Speaker 1: and then really like react to each game as this 466 00:28:33,480 --> 00:28:38,440 Speaker 1: huge event. They all matter. Obviously that the Cubs have 467 00:28:38,520 --> 00:28:42,360 Speaker 1: fallen five games back. That's that's significant. That matters a lot. 468 00:28:43,720 --> 00:28:48,080 Speaker 1: I just think they are in a playoff spot. They 469 00:28:48,240 --> 00:28:52,640 Speaker 1: lead the wild card. You'd prefer to get that bye, 470 00:28:53,480 --> 00:28:56,400 Speaker 1: doesn't you know? Right now? Obviously the season ended right now, 471 00:28:56,400 --> 00:28:58,320 Speaker 1: they're not getting that by but they'd be the number 472 00:28:58,320 --> 00:29:00,480 Speaker 1: one wildcard team and they'd be forced to reckon with 473 00:29:01,240 --> 00:29:04,440 Speaker 1: They have two really good starting pitchers. They have an 474 00:29:04,440 --> 00:29:08,400 Speaker 1: offense that I think most people believe is going to 475 00:29:08,440 --> 00:29:12,040 Speaker 1: turn the corner. And that's the bottom line. I think, like, 476 00:29:13,280 --> 00:29:15,560 Speaker 1: if you believe that Kyle Tucker is just going to 477 00:29:15,600 --> 00:29:18,640 Speaker 1: be this for the rest of the season, if you 478 00:29:18,680 --> 00:29:23,840 Speaker 1: think Pete g Armstrong slump, but won't you turn If 479 00:29:23,880 --> 00:29:26,800 Speaker 1: that's if those are the things you believe, then then yeah, 480 00:29:26,840 --> 00:29:30,880 Speaker 1: there's not reason to be optimistic. But I especially with Tucker, 481 00:29:31,280 --> 00:29:34,800 Speaker 1: I just don't see this lasting much longer. He's starting 482 00:29:34,840 --> 00:29:37,080 Speaker 1: to hit the ball hard. I think he's going to 483 00:29:37,120 --> 00:29:40,280 Speaker 1: start to elevate the ball again. Once those things start 484 00:29:40,280 --> 00:29:43,040 Speaker 1: to happen, I think that really clicks and it leaves 485 00:29:43,080 --> 00:29:45,360 Speaker 1: and it takes pressure off everyone and the offense will 486 00:29:45,360 --> 00:29:47,840 Speaker 1: start getting going again. I don't know if we'll see 487 00:29:47,840 --> 00:29:52,520 Speaker 1: April and May type offense again. Stretches perhaps, but not 488 00:29:52,680 --> 00:29:55,800 Speaker 1: months long. That that's really hard to pull off. As 489 00:29:55,880 --> 00:29:59,760 Speaker 1: long as their top ten, top five in offense, which 490 00:29:59,800 --> 00:30:03,040 Speaker 1: I I think they can very easily pull off. You'll 491 00:30:03,760 --> 00:30:05,840 Speaker 1: take that, and then the pitching needs to be good enough. 492 00:30:05,920 --> 00:30:09,800 Speaker 1: I like this bullpen I still do. I know Andrew 493 00:30:09,840 --> 00:30:13,720 Speaker 1: Kittchard Kittridge had that really bad outing. I like him. 494 00:30:14,040 --> 00:30:17,880 Speaker 1: I think he's a big upgrade over Presley and gives 495 00:30:17,920 --> 00:30:21,600 Speaker 1: you another It basically takes a pressure up Brad Keller 496 00:30:21,680 --> 00:30:25,280 Speaker 1: to be that main righty setup guy. You have two 497 00:30:25,360 --> 00:30:28,800 Speaker 1: good righty setup guys. Now you have three good lefty 498 00:30:28,880 --> 00:30:33,080 Speaker 1: setup guys. And you know, we'll see how Palancia kind 499 00:30:33,120 --> 00:30:37,480 Speaker 1: of goes. I have noticed that he's he's not as 500 00:30:37,520 --> 00:30:39,920 Speaker 1: locked in as he was at his peak. That can 501 00:30:40,000 --> 00:30:43,000 Speaker 1: change quickly as well. Bullpen arms, you just never know 502 00:30:43,120 --> 00:30:45,960 Speaker 1: what's going to happen, all right, I know there's a 503 00:30:45,960 --> 00:30:48,160 Speaker 1: lot of angst in Cubs world. Let's see what the 504 00:30:48,200 --> 00:30:51,920 Speaker 1: rest of this weekend has in store. Look, this team 505 00:30:51,960 --> 00:30:56,520 Speaker 1: has done a remarkable job bouncing back from bad moments. 506 00:30:56,840 --> 00:31:00,479 Speaker 1: We were talking, I was talking from Saint Louis about 507 00:31:00,800 --> 00:31:03,640 Speaker 1: a month and a half ago about it seemed like 508 00:31:03,680 --> 00:31:06,320 Speaker 1: it was a low point and you know that team 509 00:31:06,400 --> 00:31:09,040 Speaker 1: was collapsing. It felt like they were about to hit 510 00:31:09,040 --> 00:31:11,400 Speaker 1: the skids, and then they won. They played two of 511 00:31:11,440 --> 00:31:13,840 Speaker 1: their best games to end that four game set in 512 00:31:14,400 --> 00:31:17,640 Speaker 1: Saint Louis. Saturday and Sunday are big. It feels like 513 00:31:17,680 --> 00:31:21,360 Speaker 1: they need to, you know, kind of show some signs 514 00:31:21,400 --> 00:31:23,920 Speaker 1: of life and get going. You don't want to follow 515 00:31:23,960 --> 00:31:27,680 Speaker 1: any further behind the Brewers. You certainly want to make 516 00:31:27,720 --> 00:31:30,760 Speaker 1: sure you're closer than you are now when that five 517 00:31:30,840 --> 00:31:35,080 Speaker 1: games set starts, because that could look ugly a week 518 00:31:35,080 --> 00:31:38,040 Speaker 1: from now, but we'll deal with that when we get there. 519 00:31:38,360 --> 00:31:42,280 Speaker 1: I'd like to see some better offense, and I'm sure 520 00:31:42,320 --> 00:31:46,120 Speaker 1: all of you do as well. I think it's going 521 00:31:46,200 --> 00:31:49,120 Speaker 1: to turn. I wish on you went. I don't I 522 00:31:49,120 --> 00:31:51,240 Speaker 1: thought Jed said that really well, you just never know 523 00:31:51,480 --> 00:31:54,040 Speaker 1: when these things are going to turn. It could be tomorrow, 524 00:31:54,160 --> 00:31:57,520 Speaker 1: it could be ten days from now. You just don't 525 00:31:57,560 --> 00:32:00,959 Speaker 1: want it to be too late. That's that's the bottom line. 526 00:32:01,480 --> 00:32:05,560 Speaker 1: I'll never forget in the Brewers Club visiting clubhouse when 527 00:32:05,640 --> 00:32:08,600 Speaker 1: jameson Town kind of said that about last year's offense, 528 00:32:08,760 --> 00:32:10,240 Speaker 1: is like we thought it was going to end after 529 00:32:10,280 --> 00:32:13,440 Speaker 1: two weeks. Two weeks became two months. It just kind 530 00:32:13,440 --> 00:32:16,920 Speaker 1: of lingered and extended and kept going. You don't want 531 00:32:16,920 --> 00:32:20,080 Speaker 1: that to happen again. They have a winning record during 532 00:32:20,080 --> 00:32:22,760 Speaker 1: this downturn, with the runners in the scoring position just 533 00:32:22,840 --> 00:32:25,560 Speaker 1: three and four in August. It's a week in the month. 534 00:32:26,200 --> 00:32:29,080 Speaker 1: We'll see how it goes. But they've been resilient. We'll 535 00:32:29,080 --> 00:32:32,560 Speaker 1: see if they can get back on track. Saturday and Sunday. 536 00:32:32,560 --> 00:32:34,720 Speaker 1: All right, Thanks so much for listening everyone. Patrick will 537 00:32:34,720 --> 00:32:39,280 Speaker 1: be back next week. I will be in Toronto and 538 00:32:39,320 --> 00:32:43,720 Speaker 1: enjoying Canada, so we will make sure to record from 539 00:32:43,760 --> 00:32:46,600 Speaker 1: out there. Thanks so much for listening. This is Northside Territory, 540 00:32:46,600 --> 00:32:50,360 Speaker 1: Foul Territory and File Territory Networks Cubs podcast. Make sure 541 00:32:50,400 --> 00:32:54,640 Speaker 1: to rate, review, subscribe, subscribe to the YouTube channel, and 542 00:32:54,680 --> 00:32:56,920 Speaker 1: subscribe to The Athletic where Patrick and I are on 543 00:32:56,960 --> 00:32:59,240 Speaker 1: top of all things cubs. Thanks for listening, everyone, to 544 00:32:59,280 --> 00:33:01,200 Speaker 1: take he didn't know that