1 00:00:05,320 --> 00:00:09,240 Speaker 1: Welcome into Northside Territory. Foul Territory Networks Cubs Podcast. I'm 2 00:00:09,280 --> 00:00:12,239 Speaker 1: Sahada Sharma with my partner Patrick Mooney. We are your 3 00:00:12,320 --> 00:00:16,680 Speaker 1: Cubs beat writers over at the Athletic. Patrick, we have 4 00:00:16,720 --> 00:00:20,560 Speaker 1: an entertaining Cubs first Cubs weekend at Wrigley Field to 5 00:00:21,480 --> 00:00:26,280 Speaker 1: talk about lot lot in that weekend that to discuss 6 00:00:26,880 --> 00:00:30,680 Speaker 1: good and bad in my opinion, And we could kick 7 00:00:30,680 --> 00:00:35,279 Speaker 1: it off with something not directly Cubs related, but probably 8 00:00:35,320 --> 00:00:38,160 Speaker 1: the biggest baseball news of the weekend that broke late 9 00:00:38,280 --> 00:00:44,760 Speaker 1: Sunday night. Vlad Junior is staying in Toronto fourteen years, 10 00:00:44,840 --> 00:00:50,919 Speaker 1: five hundred million dollars. A massive deal, no deferrals, no 11 00:00:51,000 --> 00:00:55,760 Speaker 1: opt outs, the you know, the son of an exposed 12 00:00:55,760 --> 00:00:58,920 Speaker 1: superstar stays in Canada. It's a big deal for the 13 00:00:58,960 --> 00:01:02,560 Speaker 1: Blue Jays, it's big deal for baseball. We touched on 14 00:01:02,640 --> 00:01:06,200 Speaker 1: it last maybe not last episode, but last week at 15 00:01:06,200 --> 00:01:10,119 Speaker 1: some point. The idea of Blad Junior, how that may 16 00:01:10,240 --> 00:01:15,240 Speaker 1: impact Kyle Tucker. What what's your initial reaction to this 17 00:01:15,400 --> 00:01:16,400 Speaker 1: and the Cubs connection. 18 00:01:18,240 --> 00:01:22,119 Speaker 2: Well, first, wow, right, I mean for a guy who 19 00:01:23,319 --> 00:01:26,000 Speaker 2: I don't know, we'll see, We'll get to see Kyle 20 00:01:26,040 --> 00:01:28,920 Speaker 2: Tucker for a full season, right, so maybe well we 21 00:01:29,000 --> 00:01:32,560 Speaker 2: can kind of, you know, appreciate his talents more and 22 00:01:32,560 --> 00:01:34,760 Speaker 2: put it in a different sort of context. But at 23 00:01:34,840 --> 00:01:39,120 Speaker 2: first glance, like who would you rather have on your team, 24 00:01:39,160 --> 00:01:42,000 Speaker 2: Vlad Junior or Kyle Tucker. Now I'm not trying to 25 00:01:42,959 --> 00:01:47,160 Speaker 2: bash flat Junior, like fantastic talent, son of a Hall 26 00:01:47,160 --> 00:01:50,040 Speaker 2: of Famer, I mean born in Canada, and for a 27 00:01:50,080 --> 00:01:53,880 Speaker 2: team that had constantly finished second or third in all 28 00:01:53,920 --> 00:01:56,440 Speaker 2: of these free agent sweepstakes, like had to land the player. 29 00:01:56,680 --> 00:01:58,320 Speaker 3: So makes sense from that side. 30 00:01:58,360 --> 00:01:58,760 Speaker 4: But like. 31 00:02:00,600 --> 00:02:02,760 Speaker 2: We heard this at the Winter meetings right as those 32 00:02:02,800 --> 00:02:06,760 Speaker 2: Kyle Tucker rumblings were starting of like, you know, if 33 00:02:06,840 --> 00:02:11,200 Speaker 2: Juan Soto gets fifteen years and more than seven hundred million, 34 00:02:11,720 --> 00:02:14,600 Speaker 2: what could Kyle Tucker get? Again, not that he's on 35 00:02:15,040 --> 00:02:18,600 Speaker 2: Juan Soto's Hall of Fame trajectory yet he's older than 36 00:02:18,680 --> 00:02:21,760 Speaker 2: Juan Soto, but what he brings to the table on 37 00:02:21,800 --> 00:02:28,840 Speaker 2: a daily basis in terms of speed, defense, left handed power, athleticism, 38 00:02:29,720 --> 00:02:32,200 Speaker 2: It's it's not like he's a you know, a slight 39 00:02:32,280 --> 00:02:36,320 Speaker 2: fraction of either player. And so I think, after everything 40 00:02:36,320 --> 00:02:39,280 Speaker 2: we've written about payroll, for all the questions people have 41 00:02:39,320 --> 00:02:42,840 Speaker 2: had about the Cubs, you know, revenue, payroll disparities, to 42 00:02:43,000 --> 00:02:48,200 Speaker 2: have you know, a Ken Rosenthal bombshell report drop late 43 00:02:48,280 --> 00:02:52,680 Speaker 2: Sunday night. Is fascinating because this is going to be 44 00:02:53,360 --> 00:02:56,800 Speaker 2: like the story around the Cubs. It's do they make 45 00:02:56,840 --> 00:02:59,519 Speaker 2: the playoffs or not? And do they sign Kyle Tucker 46 00:02:59,560 --> 00:03:00,280 Speaker 2: long term or not? 47 00:03:01,520 --> 00:03:05,320 Speaker 1: Yeah, And I've been thinking about this obviously pretty much 48 00:03:05,360 --> 00:03:08,200 Speaker 1: since they've traded him. I think one thing, the first 49 00:03:08,200 --> 00:03:10,639 Speaker 1: thing for me that's important, this is how I look 50 00:03:10,680 --> 00:03:13,560 Speaker 1: at it. I think it's how baseball people, When I 51 00:03:13,560 --> 00:03:18,040 Speaker 1: say baseball people, front office execs look at it is 52 00:03:19,440 --> 00:03:23,400 Speaker 1: the trade is separate from the potential extension or resigning. 53 00:03:23,639 --> 00:03:26,440 Speaker 1: Like you have to look at the trade. It is 54 00:03:26,560 --> 00:03:29,440 Speaker 1: for twenty twenty five. You are getting Kyle Tucker for 55 00:03:29,480 --> 00:03:33,400 Speaker 1: one year. Value wise, it is a win for the 56 00:03:33,440 --> 00:03:38,080 Speaker 1: Astros right value wise. As far as how you know, 57 00:03:38,960 --> 00:03:42,200 Speaker 1: whatever war and wore out all that nonsense for twenty 58 00:03:42,240 --> 00:03:45,440 Speaker 1: twenty five you want, I think the Cubs are That's 59 00:03:45,480 --> 00:03:48,560 Speaker 1: what their focus was in that deal. They were trying 60 00:03:48,600 --> 00:03:51,920 Speaker 1: to get to a level that made them playoff contenders, 61 00:03:52,000 --> 00:03:53,800 Speaker 1: or gave them a little bit more margin for error 62 00:03:53,800 --> 00:03:57,920 Speaker 1: to be playoff contenders. They accomplished that by acquiring Kyle Tucker. 63 00:03:59,080 --> 00:04:01,760 Speaker 1: Separate over that, like, I don't think we need to 64 00:04:01,760 --> 00:04:05,760 Speaker 1: discuss cam Smith, Hayden, Weisenski, and es aparatus when discussing 65 00:04:05,840 --> 00:04:10,200 Speaker 1: Kyle Tucker in a potential re signing of Kyle Tucker. 66 00:04:11,040 --> 00:04:13,680 Speaker 1: What this comes down to is is what we wrote 67 00:04:13,680 --> 00:04:18,719 Speaker 1: about last week or yeah, last week, and what where 68 00:04:18,839 --> 00:04:21,919 Speaker 1: their budget is. And I know there are people that 69 00:04:21,960 --> 00:04:24,760 Speaker 1: are going to say, so this is thirty five about 70 00:04:25,160 --> 00:04:31,560 Speaker 1: per year for flat junior. In reality, my guess is 71 00:04:32,120 --> 00:04:36,000 Speaker 1: Kyle Tucker gets a higher AV and fewer years. How 72 00:04:36,080 --> 00:04:40,000 Speaker 1: much higher and how many fewer years we can you know, 73 00:04:40,120 --> 00:04:44,280 Speaker 1: we'll find out. Let's say, let's just go with forty million. Okay, 74 00:04:44,839 --> 00:04:48,080 Speaker 1: I'm looking I'm looking at the Blue Jays roster resource 75 00:04:48,200 --> 00:04:51,799 Speaker 1: there and looking at their luxury tax payroll for twenty 76 00:04:51,839 --> 00:04:55,560 Speaker 1: twenty six. Right, they haven't added anybody for twenty twenty six. 77 00:04:55,640 --> 00:04:58,400 Speaker 1: As far as that that that season hasn't happened, right, 78 00:04:58,600 --> 00:05:02,200 Speaker 1: it hasn't begun. That all season hasn't happened. They're at 79 00:05:02,279 --> 00:05:06,560 Speaker 1: two hundred million already, Okay, and they have one massive 80 00:05:06,600 --> 00:05:09,240 Speaker 1: deal and then a bunch of really good like like 81 00:05:09,279 --> 00:05:11,920 Speaker 1: a fifteen million and eighteen million or twenty three million 82 00:05:11,960 --> 00:05:15,440 Speaker 1: and twenty four So what you're talking about here is 83 00:05:15,480 --> 00:05:17,080 Speaker 1: if the Cubs are going to be a two hundred 84 00:05:17,080 --> 00:05:20,520 Speaker 1: and ten million dollar team with maybe an exception here 85 00:05:20,600 --> 00:05:24,880 Speaker 1: and there to get to two thirty. You're talking about Dansby, Swanson, 86 00:05:25,000 --> 00:05:31,080 Speaker 1: Ian Hap, Kyle Tucker, h Jameson, Tye Own, Matthew Boyd 87 00:05:31,400 --> 00:05:33,840 Speaker 1: and then what what else can you do? What else 88 00:05:33,880 --> 00:05:36,000 Speaker 1: can you do as far as adding players? 89 00:05:36,080 --> 00:05:36,200 Speaker 4: Right? 90 00:05:36,240 --> 00:05:38,159 Speaker 1: You have you have good players and show to you 91 00:05:38,200 --> 00:05:40,560 Speaker 1: have young players, but you can't how are you going 92 00:05:40,640 --> 00:05:43,160 Speaker 1: to go out and supplement the team in free agency? 93 00:05:43,560 --> 00:05:46,840 Speaker 1: So like you're going to be at that two ten 94 00:05:47,040 --> 00:05:49,840 Speaker 1: mark very quickly. I think Ben's think of it as like, well, 95 00:05:49,880 --> 00:05:52,640 Speaker 1: it's this percentage of the you you have to nail 96 00:05:52,839 --> 00:05:53,640 Speaker 1: every signing. 97 00:05:53,720 --> 00:05:57,000 Speaker 4: Then you can't have a bad contract. And if Kyle. 98 00:05:56,839 --> 00:06:00,920 Speaker 1: Tucker gets hurt, now you're cooked. Now you're done. Like 99 00:06:01,160 --> 00:06:04,560 Speaker 1: it is a major risk. You can't do that unless 100 00:06:04,600 --> 00:06:07,480 Speaker 1: you're going to spend two hundred and sixty plus million 101 00:06:07,880 --> 00:06:11,159 Speaker 1: a year, Like I mean, you can, but you're really 102 00:06:11,200 --> 00:06:13,160 Speaker 1: restricted and you have to and you can't. Like it 103 00:06:13,320 --> 00:06:17,120 Speaker 1: really reduces your ability to make a mistake or like 104 00:06:17,200 --> 00:06:20,480 Speaker 1: take a risk. That deal in itself is a risk, 105 00:06:20,640 --> 00:06:24,440 Speaker 1: right if if that's what you're like, it's and I 106 00:06:24,480 --> 00:06:26,960 Speaker 1: know that people are gonna like come back and say, 107 00:06:26,960 --> 00:06:29,760 Speaker 1: like it's worth the risk whatever, maybe it is, like 108 00:06:29,839 --> 00:06:32,479 Speaker 1: I'm not saying don't do it. I'm saying, this is 109 00:06:32,480 --> 00:06:36,640 Speaker 1: the calculus they're considering, Right, how do they how do 110 00:06:36,720 --> 00:06:40,840 Speaker 1: they fit that contract in if their budget is two 111 00:06:40,920 --> 00:06:44,760 Speaker 1: hundred and ten ish million every year with the rare exception, 112 00:06:44,920 --> 00:06:49,040 Speaker 1: Oh maybe if yeah, we can give Alex Bregman this 113 00:06:49,279 --> 00:06:53,720 Speaker 1: half assed offer, you know, like every once in a while. 114 00:06:53,800 --> 00:06:57,160 Speaker 1: But other than that, like they're they're just doesn't seem 115 00:06:57,320 --> 00:06:59,880 Speaker 1: to me like they can hand out a deal like 116 00:07:00,120 --> 00:07:03,479 Speaker 1: that and be the type of front office that they 117 00:07:03,520 --> 00:07:06,240 Speaker 1: that they believe they are right like that, it would 118 00:07:06,320 --> 00:07:12,280 Speaker 1: it would be almost irresponsible because in when when analyzing 119 00:07:12,280 --> 00:07:14,480 Speaker 1: a deal like that, it's the back end that's not 120 00:07:14,600 --> 00:07:17,080 Speaker 1: as valuable, right, so you almost look at it as 121 00:07:17,080 --> 00:07:19,200 Speaker 1: a sunk us in the back end of the deal 122 00:07:20,160 --> 00:07:22,280 Speaker 1: because you're supposed to win a ton on the front end. 123 00:07:24,000 --> 00:07:26,600 Speaker 4: But if Tom Bricketts's demand. 124 00:07:26,360 --> 00:07:30,640 Speaker 1: Is no more down swings, right, how do you hand 125 00:07:30,640 --> 00:07:33,119 Speaker 1: out that deal? And not expect to downswing it after 126 00:07:33,200 --> 00:07:34,960 Speaker 1: it after in the second half. 127 00:07:34,800 --> 00:07:38,440 Speaker 2: Of it, Well, you're kind of getting to the heart 128 00:07:38,480 --> 00:07:42,200 Speaker 2: of the Sahadev of like who's going to be making 129 00:07:42,240 --> 00:07:47,200 Speaker 2: that decision? Like if right, they make the playoffs, one 130 00:07:47,200 --> 00:07:50,840 Speaker 2: would think that Jeed Hoyer would would stay on, considering 131 00:07:50,880 --> 00:07:55,480 Speaker 2: he is pretty aligned with the entire organization and that 132 00:07:56,160 --> 00:07:58,360 Speaker 2: making the playoffs would be the natural next step. 133 00:07:58,400 --> 00:08:01,200 Speaker 3: Here we have, you know. 134 00:08:01,240 --> 00:08:05,000 Speaker 2: An almost certain work stoppage after twenty twenty six, and 135 00:08:05,160 --> 00:08:10,000 Speaker 2: we haven't We don't quite know exactly what the rules 136 00:08:10,080 --> 00:08:13,880 Speaker 2: will be as Kyle Tucker will be getting into that 137 00:08:14,240 --> 00:08:18,320 Speaker 2: mega deal, and the Cubs do not strike us as 138 00:08:18,360 --> 00:08:22,920 Speaker 2: a team that's going to go kind of color outside 139 00:08:22,960 --> 00:08:26,200 Speaker 2: the lines or be totally unconventional in a. 140 00:08:26,480 --> 00:08:28,720 Speaker 3: Scenario like that. 141 00:08:28,920 --> 00:08:32,600 Speaker 2: I mean, look, the odds are your team won't sign 142 00:08:32,679 --> 00:08:35,640 Speaker 2: Kyle Tucker, right, like, only one team gets the player. 143 00:08:39,480 --> 00:08:41,880 Speaker 3: I guess to bring it back towards. 144 00:08:43,040 --> 00:08:44,760 Speaker 2: Maybe the Cubs is you have to look at some 145 00:08:44,760 --> 00:08:47,320 Speaker 2: of these pressure points, right, Like, it doesn't always work 146 00:08:47,400 --> 00:08:52,000 Speaker 2: out the way free agents think it will, and the 147 00:08:52,040 --> 00:08:55,800 Speaker 2: Blue Jays were under enormous pressure to retain this homegrown 148 00:08:55,880 --> 00:08:59,760 Speaker 2: star after whiffing in so many other pursuits. I mean, 149 00:09:00,679 --> 00:09:06,480 Speaker 2: Steve Cohen drove that Juan Soto negotiations to place that 150 00:09:07,080 --> 00:09:08,120 Speaker 2: you know, I don't even think. 151 00:09:10,160 --> 00:09:10,520 Speaker 4: I don't know. 152 00:09:10,600 --> 00:09:12,920 Speaker 3: Maybe Scott Boris had I know he had that number 153 00:09:12,960 --> 00:09:13,320 Speaker 3: in mind. 154 00:09:13,320 --> 00:09:15,560 Speaker 2: Our buddy Will Salmon wrote that that he wrote wrote 155 00:09:15,559 --> 00:09:16,400 Speaker 2: down a number and put it. 156 00:09:16,400 --> 00:09:17,160 Speaker 3: Away in a drawer. 157 00:09:18,280 --> 00:09:24,440 Speaker 2: This was pretty astronomical. But without Steve Cohen, where do 158 00:09:25,360 --> 00:09:26,520 Speaker 2: where do the Yankees bid? 159 00:09:26,640 --> 00:09:26,720 Speaker 4: Like? 160 00:09:26,760 --> 00:09:28,559 Speaker 3: Where do the Reds? 161 00:09:28,960 --> 00:09:32,880 Speaker 2: You have some teams that have you know, Rickets is 162 00:09:32,960 --> 00:09:34,920 Speaker 2: right when he says like every dollar you spend now 163 00:09:34,960 --> 00:09:37,439 Speaker 2: is a dollar you can't spend later, Like there have 164 00:09:37,600 --> 00:09:42,040 Speaker 2: teams that have made some huge investments, and you wonder, like, 165 00:09:42,160 --> 00:09:44,800 Speaker 2: you know, the Mets probably aren't going to put Kyle 166 00:09:44,840 --> 00:09:47,640 Speaker 2: Tucker on on it they right, Like I guess you 167 00:09:47,640 --> 00:09:52,040 Speaker 2: could never say never with the Dodgers, but not the 168 00:09:52,080 --> 00:09:55,720 Speaker 2: most obvious hole that they would have if they have 169 00:09:55,840 --> 00:09:59,959 Speaker 2: any like glaring weaknesses so like and how many play 170 00:10:00,000 --> 00:10:02,040 Speaker 2: this does Kyle Tucker want to play? If he has 171 00:10:02,080 --> 00:10:04,839 Speaker 2: a great year here? Like the cops are going to 172 00:10:04,920 --> 00:10:08,680 Speaker 2: be in this conversation, right, yeah, we'll just see where 173 00:10:08,800 --> 00:10:11,800 Speaker 2: where it goes, Like they cannot rule that idea out. 174 00:10:12,040 --> 00:10:15,280 Speaker 2: They obviously love the player, that's what they traded for him. 175 00:10:15,920 --> 00:10:21,400 Speaker 2: He seems very low maintenance, right and very uh you know, 176 00:10:21,920 --> 00:10:26,880 Speaker 2: well regarded, well liked teammate who clearly hasn't let any 177 00:10:26,920 --> 00:10:27,840 Speaker 2: of this bother him. 178 00:10:28,400 --> 00:10:28,679 Speaker 4: Yeah. 179 00:10:28,720 --> 00:10:32,040 Speaker 1: Absolutely, let's let's talk about his impact on the team 180 00:10:32,120 --> 00:10:34,160 Speaker 1: and how they're looking at right after this. 181 00:10:34,160 --> 00:10:36,920 Speaker 5: Break aj, it is time for people to get some 182 00:10:37,000 --> 00:10:38,960 Speaker 5: new clubs, and to do that they need to go 183 00:10:39,000 --> 00:10:41,120 Speaker 5: to their local PXG for a fitting, right. 184 00:10:41,760 --> 00:10:44,000 Speaker 6: No doubt. I was there today, I've been there before. 185 00:10:44,240 --> 00:10:46,200 Speaker 6: Last time I was there, they gave me this killer gap. 186 00:10:46,240 --> 00:10:48,840 Speaker 6: I look at that sweet spot, Scott, it is worn out. 187 00:10:48,880 --> 00:10:50,760 Speaker 6: That is right in the sweet spot right there. So 188 00:10:50,800 --> 00:10:53,320 Speaker 6: I went and got new clubs today, new irons. But 189 00:10:53,320 --> 00:10:55,199 Speaker 6: more importantly, I got this bad boy. I got me 190 00:10:55,240 --> 00:10:56,560 Speaker 6: a new putter. This is my old putter. 191 00:10:56,600 --> 00:10:57,120 Speaker 3: It's on order. 192 00:10:57,160 --> 00:11:00,240 Speaker 6: Yes, that's my putter cover PXG Mustang putter. Now going 193 00:11:00,280 --> 00:11:02,040 Speaker 6: to the Alan putter. They talked me into it because 194 00:11:02,040 --> 00:11:05,120 Speaker 6: I was draining some putts today. Bob the guy who 195 00:11:05,120 --> 00:11:07,040 Speaker 6: helped me out, he helped me with my irons. He 196 00:11:07,080 --> 00:11:09,320 Speaker 6: got him teed up perfectly. But then we went to 197 00:11:09,320 --> 00:11:11,080 Speaker 6: the putt and green. I was draining them putts because 198 00:11:11,080 --> 00:11:12,440 Speaker 6: that's the most important part of golf. 199 00:11:12,720 --> 00:11:16,760 Speaker 5: PXG fittings are fun. Schedule you're fitting today as you 200 00:11:16,760 --> 00:11:18,480 Speaker 5: can hear from AJ for a limited time, you could 201 00:11:18,520 --> 00:11:21,560 Speaker 5: save up to twenty percent on your entire order. Head 202 00:11:21,600 --> 00:11:25,600 Speaker 5: over to pxg dot com slash foul. That's pxg dot 203 00:11:25,640 --> 00:11:27,840 Speaker 5: com slash foul to save up to twenty percent on 204 00:11:27,920 --> 00:11:32,520 Speaker 5: your entire order. Pxg dot com slash foul restrictions apply 205 00:11:32,760 --> 00:11:34,439 Speaker 5: see site for details. 206 00:11:36,440 --> 00:11:39,719 Speaker 1: All right, I don't want to get Cubs fans in 207 00:11:39,760 --> 00:11:42,840 Speaker 1: a bad mood. Bullpen does a good enough job of that. 208 00:11:43,400 --> 00:11:46,120 Speaker 1: They want Kyle Tucker re signed, and I think that's it. 209 00:11:47,120 --> 00:11:51,040 Speaker 1: It's obvious. Why just we've watched him for what is it, 210 00:11:51,080 --> 00:11:53,280 Speaker 1: twelve games now, whatever it is. 211 00:11:54,320 --> 00:11:54,880 Speaker 4: He's awesome. 212 00:11:55,120 --> 00:12:00,520 Speaker 1: He's he's as advertised, incredibly impactful, comes up with big 213 00:12:00,600 --> 00:12:07,800 Speaker 1: hits regularly, just just great at bats. Currently, I believe 214 00:12:07,840 --> 00:12:11,199 Speaker 1: he's walking more than he strikes out. I doubt that last, 215 00:12:11,240 --> 00:12:12,800 Speaker 1: but still, he's not going to strike out a ton 216 00:12:12,880 --> 00:12:13,600 Speaker 1: He walks it, tony. 217 00:12:13,679 --> 00:12:15,160 Speaker 4: It's for power. He's ideal. 218 00:12:15,880 --> 00:12:20,360 Speaker 1: He's ideal, all around offensive player, just player in general. 219 00:12:21,960 --> 00:12:26,840 Speaker 1: The way the offense looks right now is incredibly impressive. 220 00:12:27,600 --> 00:12:33,959 Speaker 1: They they've had a really tough schedule. They don't chase much, 221 00:12:34,240 --> 00:12:37,319 Speaker 1: if at all. They and I was looking at this 222 00:12:38,440 --> 00:12:42,880 Speaker 1: before Sunday's game. They don't chase. But it's not like 223 00:12:43,360 --> 00:12:45,480 Speaker 1: sometimes there are teams that don't chase, but they just 224 00:12:45,480 --> 00:12:48,640 Speaker 1: don't swing much. They attack in the zone. They're about 225 00:12:48,720 --> 00:12:51,800 Speaker 1: a little above league average when it comes to swinging 226 00:12:52,160 --> 00:12:55,720 Speaker 1: and end zone pitches, and they are near the bottom 227 00:12:55,760 --> 00:12:58,079 Speaker 1: five when it comes to swinging. When I say bottom five, 228 00:12:58,160 --> 00:13:02,600 Speaker 1: so top five's they don't swing, they don't chase currently. 229 00:13:02,960 --> 00:13:05,720 Speaker 1: These numbers can fluctuate, but they do stabilize pretty quickly. 230 00:13:05,800 --> 00:13:08,520 Speaker 1: These are the types of numbers that do stabilize quicker 231 00:13:08,559 --> 00:13:12,439 Speaker 1: than you know, maybe strikeout, raid or power output, whatever 232 00:13:12,480 --> 00:13:14,960 Speaker 1: it may be. Like that takes a you know, a 233 00:13:15,040 --> 00:13:17,520 Speaker 1: month or two more before we have a better idea, 234 00:13:17,559 --> 00:13:19,680 Speaker 1: But these are the types of numbers that stabilize quickly. 235 00:13:20,040 --> 00:13:21,600 Speaker 4: Right now, they look like a. 236 00:13:21,559 --> 00:13:25,120 Speaker 1: Team that doesn't chase much, and it's going to be 237 00:13:25,160 --> 00:13:30,160 Speaker 1: a pain in the ass for opposing pitchers. I right 238 00:13:30,200 --> 00:13:33,439 Speaker 1: now like the way this offense looks. You keep it healthy, 239 00:13:34,600 --> 00:13:39,240 Speaker 1: it is going to be pesky, there's enough power that 240 00:13:39,520 --> 00:13:45,640 Speaker 1: those walks become really valuable. They were, they're probably still 241 00:13:45,720 --> 00:13:49,800 Speaker 1: leading the league and walk right maybe maybe see I 242 00:13:49,840 --> 00:13:53,840 Speaker 1: think they're jockeying for first with Seattle, but really impressive 243 00:13:54,120 --> 00:13:56,000 Speaker 1: offensive team currently. 244 00:13:57,120 --> 00:13:59,560 Speaker 3: Base running as well. Just the idea of yeah, pressure 245 00:14:00,040 --> 00:14:00,960 Speaker 3: on the other team. 246 00:14:01,280 --> 00:14:06,400 Speaker 2: I thought of your great catcher pursuit of last season 247 00:14:06,480 --> 00:14:08,640 Speaker 2: this off season, that when you were tracking down at 248 00:14:08,640 --> 00:14:11,400 Speaker 2: the GM meetings trying to track down every single possible 249 00:14:12,679 --> 00:14:16,520 Speaker 2: catcher permutation, and that Carson Kelly looks pretty good. Like 250 00:14:16,520 --> 00:14:18,960 Speaker 2: you probably won't have like a thousand ops or whatever 251 00:14:19,040 --> 00:14:21,560 Speaker 2: for the whole season or whatever it is now, but 252 00:14:22,640 --> 00:14:27,560 Speaker 2: like that ideal sort of complementary catcher who can run 253 00:14:27,560 --> 00:14:32,840 Speaker 2: into some home runs just adds a real nice dimension 254 00:14:33,160 --> 00:14:35,640 Speaker 2: to the lineup when that bottom half or bottom third 255 00:14:36,440 --> 00:14:40,960 Speaker 2: is a lot harder to navigate, and you know, having 256 00:14:41,960 --> 00:14:42,960 Speaker 2: bench options. 257 00:14:43,040 --> 00:14:44,400 Speaker 3: You know, justin Turner the other. 258 00:14:44,400 --> 00:14:48,560 Speaker 2: Day coming in coming in for a big moment that 259 00:14:48,600 --> 00:14:52,440 Speaker 2: Craig Council said, this is a guy who's built for 260 00:14:52,520 --> 00:14:58,480 Speaker 2: those situations. So just having some more options, and that's 261 00:14:58,480 --> 00:15:01,160 Speaker 2: why I think comes to we're kind of left wanting 262 00:15:01,200 --> 00:15:05,560 Speaker 2: more this weekend when you see and Brown non competitive start, 263 00:15:06,360 --> 00:15:09,280 Speaker 2: but the offense to come back, you know, they got 264 00:15:09,280 --> 00:15:13,840 Speaker 2: to leave the league in what like Bach induced Maybe 265 00:15:14,000 --> 00:15:15,800 Speaker 2: I don't know if there's a stat for that. 266 00:15:15,920 --> 00:15:19,520 Speaker 4: But what a first inning, huh exactly to. 267 00:15:19,560 --> 00:15:23,960 Speaker 3: Have, you know, to kind of be in that position 268 00:15:24,000 --> 00:15:25,280 Speaker 3: to grab that sweep. 269 00:15:25,480 --> 00:15:27,320 Speaker 2: I think that was, you know, really kind of the 270 00:15:27,360 --> 00:15:33,440 Speaker 2: only down note from a pretty entertaining, energetic weekend at 271 00:15:33,440 --> 00:15:35,640 Speaker 2: Wrigley Field with no range layers either. 272 00:15:36,880 --> 00:15:40,120 Speaker 1: Okay, so let's get to the ugly right. Caleb Thielbar 273 00:15:40,280 --> 00:15:46,560 Speaker 1: cannot walk elizas Ds. Ryan Presley cannot walk elizas Ds 274 00:15:46,600 --> 00:15:49,320 Speaker 1: like he he had too many walks, a guy that 275 00:15:49,440 --> 00:15:51,920 Speaker 1: had a six percent walk rate or something like that 276 00:15:52,040 --> 00:15:56,040 Speaker 1: last year. You cannot continually walk him. I'm gonna give 277 00:15:56,040 --> 00:15:59,480 Speaker 1: Porter Hodge a pass for allowing a run finally, you 278 00:15:59,480 --> 00:16:01,240 Speaker 1: know he was a eventually going to allow a run. 279 00:16:01,760 --> 00:16:05,120 Speaker 1: Brad Keller, Uh, welcome to the circle of trust. Like 280 00:16:05,200 --> 00:16:09,680 Speaker 1: he is he is, he is legit. It looks like 281 00:16:09,760 --> 00:16:11,280 Speaker 1: and I think you're going to see him in more 282 00:16:11,320 --> 00:16:15,160 Speaker 1: high leverage moments. Julian Merriweather healthy and looks like the 283 00:16:15,400 --> 00:16:19,000 Speaker 1: version that we saw in twenty twenty three. Uh, you 284 00:16:19,040 --> 00:16:21,960 Speaker 1: have three relievers that I think Tubbs fans feel good about. 285 00:16:23,240 --> 00:16:26,000 Speaker 1: Like I said, Felbar that like he gets two quick 286 00:16:26,320 --> 00:16:29,680 Speaker 1: quick outs and those were non competitive like plate appearances, 287 00:16:29,720 --> 00:16:32,880 Speaker 1: those walks like two walks in a row. Not there 288 00:16:33,160 --> 00:16:36,160 Speaker 1: like were any of those like close calls, any of 289 00:16:36,160 --> 00:16:39,040 Speaker 1: those balls like just that, Like that's the type of thing. 290 00:16:39,360 --> 00:16:40,720 Speaker 4: That's like unacceptable. 291 00:16:40,920 --> 00:16:44,400 Speaker 1: He can't he cannot do that, right, Ryan Presley, that 292 00:16:44,560 --> 00:16:47,440 Speaker 1: wasn't his worst outing, but he can't walk the lead, 293 00:16:47,520 --> 00:16:51,800 Speaker 1: the number nine hitter. There's too many walks from Ryan Presley. Uh, listen, 294 00:16:51,920 --> 00:16:55,280 Speaker 1: Justin Turner is a good defensive first basement Hubs fans 295 00:16:55,280 --> 00:16:57,000 Speaker 1: are going to jump on this and say, why wasn't 296 00:16:57,000 --> 00:16:58,880 Speaker 1: Michael Bush in their pinchhip for him? You know why 297 00:16:58,880 --> 00:17:00,360 Speaker 1: Michael Busch wasn't in there because it was a one 298 00:17:00,440 --> 00:17:04,440 Speaker 1: run game and he can't pull Justin Turner. He pinch 299 00:17:04,520 --> 00:17:07,800 Speaker 1: it Michael Bush lower in the order, right, He pinched 300 00:17:07,880 --> 00:17:10,960 Speaker 1: him for Michael Shaw or Michael Shaw, Matt Shaw, and 301 00:17:11,000 --> 00:17:12,880 Speaker 1: he needed to get gauge workmen in there. You still 302 00:17:12,880 --> 00:17:15,040 Speaker 1: have to have solid defense. You can't move Turner to 303 00:17:15,119 --> 00:17:17,120 Speaker 1: third base at that point with a one run lead. 304 00:17:17,200 --> 00:17:21,359 Speaker 1: That's that's really risky. So Turner's are good for his basement. 305 00:17:21,400 --> 00:17:23,919 Speaker 1: He made a mistake. You needed him to bat in 306 00:17:23,960 --> 00:17:26,160 Speaker 1: that in the ninth inning, So I don't think that's 307 00:17:26,200 --> 00:17:28,280 Speaker 1: that for me, is not the issue. The issue is 308 00:17:28,280 --> 00:17:31,000 Speaker 1: the bullpen. The issue are the walks, which right now, 309 00:17:31,040 --> 00:17:34,639 Speaker 1: the bullpen is walking thirteen point eight percent of batters, 310 00:17:35,080 --> 00:17:40,120 Speaker 1: second highest in baseball, and they're striking out seventeen point three, 311 00:17:40,160 --> 00:17:44,760 Speaker 1: which is awful. That's like bottom the third worst in baseball. 312 00:17:45,200 --> 00:17:47,159 Speaker 1: So you're not so you're walking guys and you're not 313 00:17:47,200 --> 00:17:51,239 Speaker 1: missing any bats. It's just a completely unacceptable recipe and 314 00:17:51,280 --> 00:17:54,440 Speaker 1: it's going like it. It's led to two awful Sundays 315 00:17:54,440 --> 00:17:57,440 Speaker 1: for Cubs fans, and it's going to happen more often 316 00:17:57,440 --> 00:17:59,000 Speaker 1: if it doesn't get rectified quickly. 317 00:18:00,280 --> 00:18:03,120 Speaker 2: If you think about how the Cups construct their bullpend, 318 00:18:03,160 --> 00:18:08,280 Speaker 2: I mean, the overriding philosophy would be throwing strikes right now, 319 00:18:08,320 --> 00:18:11,000 Speaker 2: that's sort of obvious, but they do. They're willing to 320 00:18:11,040 --> 00:18:18,200 Speaker 2: sacrifice velocity for getting pitch one, getting that first strike, 321 00:18:18,840 --> 00:18:22,960 Speaker 2: and like, this team is built on some great defenders 322 00:18:23,000 --> 00:18:27,080 Speaker 2: all over the field, so like, and their game planning 323 00:18:27,119 --> 00:18:30,119 Speaker 2: system historically has shown that it is pretty good at 324 00:18:30,119 --> 00:18:32,080 Speaker 2: getting those double play balls, and that. 325 00:18:32,600 --> 00:18:34,160 Speaker 3: Is what happened. 326 00:18:34,280 --> 00:18:37,000 Speaker 2: And like you didn't have to be like, you know, 327 00:18:37,720 --> 00:18:41,359 Speaker 2: Keith Hernandez to make that play at first, Like Justin Turner, 328 00:18:41,400 --> 00:18:45,879 Speaker 2: he said, no excuses, He just missed it, like he 329 00:18:45,960 --> 00:18:49,000 Speaker 2: thought he kind of got caught in between. Wasn't sure 330 00:18:49,240 --> 00:18:51,280 Speaker 2: I who was gonna bounce or not. It did not, 331 00:18:51,680 --> 00:18:56,639 Speaker 2: and he just missed it. That happens. But yeah, presially, 332 00:18:56,720 --> 00:18:59,119 Speaker 2: just you know, that first walk to lead off the 333 00:18:59,240 --> 00:19:01,640 Speaker 2: ninth like just kind of felt like here. 334 00:19:01,440 --> 00:19:02,080 Speaker 3: We go again. 335 00:19:02,160 --> 00:19:05,480 Speaker 2: And then you allow, you know, a really good offense 336 00:19:05,520 --> 00:19:08,919 Speaker 2: to put the ball in play and you know, to 337 00:19:08,960 --> 00:19:12,800 Speaker 2: put pressure on your defense and normally you know the 338 00:19:12,800 --> 00:19:17,600 Speaker 2: Cubs are are out of that inning, but you know, 339 00:19:17,760 --> 00:19:21,040 Speaker 2: either they're gonna have to start throwing strikes or find 340 00:19:21,160 --> 00:19:24,080 Speaker 2: some just some more more stuff and vlo to just 341 00:19:24,160 --> 00:19:25,680 Speaker 2: kind of overwhelm hitters and not. 342 00:19:25,880 --> 00:19:28,040 Speaker 3: Leave it to where they're just giving away free passes. 343 00:19:28,600 --> 00:19:32,240 Speaker 1: Right, I don't know if look, I think the obvious 344 00:19:32,560 --> 00:19:35,560 Speaker 1: quick answer, and I don't know how soon this happens. Right, 345 00:19:35,600 --> 00:19:38,200 Speaker 1: I'm not going to make assumptions on how a council 346 00:19:38,240 --> 00:19:41,080 Speaker 1: wants to handle this just yet. But we named it 347 00:19:41,119 --> 00:19:43,480 Speaker 1: like I named the three guys that I trust right now, 348 00:19:43,480 --> 00:19:48,760 Speaker 1: it's Merriweather, Hodge and Keller. Right, maybe someone else emerges, Maybe. 349 00:19:48,600 --> 00:19:49,960 Speaker 4: I'm missing someone. 350 00:19:50,400 --> 00:19:54,000 Speaker 1: You know, Eli Morgan had that awful outing, but he 351 00:19:54,520 --> 00:19:55,960 Speaker 1: looked all right outside of that. 352 00:19:56,440 --> 00:19:57,160 Speaker 4: Well, we'll see. 353 00:19:57,200 --> 00:19:59,640 Speaker 1: You know, if you have three core guys that that's 354 00:19:59,680 --> 00:20:03,200 Speaker 1: really it is good. It's not like there's no answers here, right. 355 00:20:03,680 --> 00:20:06,600 Speaker 1: You need Presley to settle down. This is really odd 356 00:20:06,640 --> 00:20:08,879 Speaker 1: that the walks are happening. He has the same stuff 357 00:20:08,920 --> 00:20:11,760 Speaker 1: as last year. I was looking at numbers. Everything looks 358 00:20:11,800 --> 00:20:14,760 Speaker 1: the same as last year. He wasn't walking guys. Was 359 00:20:14,800 --> 00:20:17,720 Speaker 1: he as good as his peak years last year? No? 360 00:20:17,920 --> 00:20:20,439 Speaker 4: But he should be usable, and he should be usable 361 00:20:20,480 --> 00:20:23,760 Speaker 4: in some high leverage spots. That doesn't mean he has 362 00:20:23,840 --> 00:20:26,680 Speaker 4: to be the closer. And eventually I think we'll see 363 00:20:26,680 --> 00:20:30,080 Speaker 4: a shift there. But right now the walks are just 364 00:20:30,119 --> 00:20:33,160 Speaker 4: making it unacceptable and making it really hard for him 365 00:20:33,160 --> 00:20:34,400 Speaker 4: to get through innings. 366 00:20:36,000 --> 00:20:38,480 Speaker 1: But I think there are some answers there. I think 367 00:20:38,520 --> 00:20:43,560 Speaker 1: you could see something settling down. But you know, I mean, 368 00:20:44,119 --> 00:20:47,320 Speaker 1: is the answer? Is Ben Brown a reliever? I don't 369 00:20:47,359 --> 00:20:49,639 Speaker 1: want to give up on Ben Brown as a starter 370 00:20:50,160 --> 00:20:53,800 Speaker 1: because the upside is so huge, and like if you 371 00:20:53,920 --> 00:20:57,320 Speaker 1: give up on someone after two three starts, Justin Steele 372 00:20:57,320 --> 00:21:01,679 Speaker 1: wouldn't be in the rotation right now because if you 373 00:21:01,720 --> 00:21:05,240 Speaker 1: remember twenty twenty one, was it I think it was 374 00:21:05,240 --> 00:21:06,600 Speaker 1: twenty twenty one when they. 375 00:21:06,560 --> 00:21:10,120 Speaker 2: After the sell off, maybe he kind of got that runway. 376 00:21:10,560 --> 00:21:12,440 Speaker 1: Yeah, it could have been twenty one or twenty two, 377 00:21:13,040 --> 00:21:16,080 Speaker 1: one of those years it was to begin the season. 378 00:21:16,880 --> 00:21:18,800 Speaker 4: Maybe it was twenty twenty two. Then was it twenty 379 00:21:18,840 --> 00:21:20,119 Speaker 4: twenty two to begin the season. 380 00:21:20,160 --> 00:21:21,840 Speaker 1: Yeah, it must have been twenty twenty two to begin 381 00:21:21,880 --> 00:21:24,760 Speaker 1: the season, yes, because twenty he debuted in twenty. 382 00:21:24,520 --> 00:21:27,640 Speaker 2: One, and then after the selloff they gave. 383 00:21:27,640 --> 00:21:30,080 Speaker 3: Him the rung way and then to year twenty twenty two. 384 00:21:30,200 --> 00:21:31,520 Speaker 4: Yeah, and he was bad. 385 00:21:31,600 --> 00:21:33,800 Speaker 1: He was bad to start the season, and I remember 386 00:21:33,840 --> 00:21:35,440 Speaker 1: there were calls for him to be taken out of 387 00:21:35,440 --> 00:21:38,960 Speaker 1: the rotation and that would have been the wrong choice. 388 00:21:39,000 --> 00:21:40,920 Speaker 1: He got he figured it out and he was great 389 00:21:40,960 --> 00:21:42,760 Speaker 1: the rest of twenty two and you know the rest. 390 00:21:43,000 --> 00:21:44,560 Speaker 4: We know the story. So so I. 391 00:21:44,560 --> 00:21:46,640 Speaker 1: Don't I don't want to say like it's it's about 392 00:21:47,160 --> 00:21:49,720 Speaker 1: like you have to balance team need as well as 393 00:21:49,840 --> 00:21:53,320 Speaker 1: like ben if they truly believe Ben Brown, like this 394 00:21:53,480 --> 00:21:55,639 Speaker 1: was just like a one off awful outing. 395 00:21:55,880 --> 00:21:56,119 Speaker 4: It was. 396 00:21:56,200 --> 00:21:58,119 Speaker 1: It was a really bad outing. That first inning was 397 00:21:58,200 --> 00:22:00,000 Speaker 1: just like a mess. I thought he it looked like 398 00:22:00,040 --> 00:22:01,760 Speaker 1: he was about to settle in and then you know, 399 00:22:02,040 --> 00:22:04,200 Speaker 1: the Padres are a good team. Jackson Merrill's an MVP 400 00:22:04,359 --> 00:22:08,080 Speaker 1: candidate last year, really impressive player. So you know that 401 00:22:08,359 --> 00:22:10,480 Speaker 1: got bit by the long ball and that that was 402 00:22:10,520 --> 00:22:14,040 Speaker 1: a critical home run. A lot of things just like 403 00:22:14,119 --> 00:22:17,879 Speaker 1: a just not enough done. You know, you could argue, hey, 404 00:22:17,920 --> 00:22:21,040 Speaker 1: why didn't the offense tack on more after whatever? The 405 00:22:21,520 --> 00:22:23,400 Speaker 1: last run is scored in the second They scored seven 406 00:22:23,440 --> 00:22:26,800 Speaker 1: in the first two innings. They still scored seven in runs, Right, 407 00:22:26,840 --> 00:22:29,119 Speaker 1: it should be enough. You would hope that the Padres 408 00:22:29,160 --> 00:22:31,480 Speaker 1: had two thirds of an inning from their starter and 409 00:22:31,720 --> 00:22:36,159 Speaker 1: we're able to keep the Cubs from scoring after the 410 00:22:36,200 --> 00:22:38,679 Speaker 1: second inning, right, Like, that's maybe that's a big Like 411 00:22:38,720 --> 00:22:41,320 Speaker 1: the Padres are good too, Let's let's give them some credit. 412 00:22:43,320 --> 00:22:46,240 Speaker 1: Outside of that, Patrick, it was a great weekend for 413 00:22:46,280 --> 00:22:51,160 Speaker 1: the Cubs. Matthew Boyd looks awesome. Matthew Boyd looks very impactful. 414 00:22:51,160 --> 00:22:55,240 Speaker 1: Show to him, Managa is trying to repeat a season 415 00:22:55,280 --> 00:22:57,359 Speaker 1: that even his own manager said, it's going to be 416 00:22:57,400 --> 00:23:01,399 Speaker 1: really hard for him to repeat that season. They have 417 00:23:01,520 --> 00:23:06,480 Speaker 1: two legit starters. We talked about it briefly. I think 418 00:23:06,480 --> 00:23:09,320 Speaker 1: we talked about it briefly, But James and Tyn looked 419 00:23:09,359 --> 00:23:12,479 Speaker 1: awesome his last start. I talked to him the other 420 00:23:12,600 --> 00:23:15,480 Speaker 1: day and I'll write something about it. But he believes, 421 00:23:15,520 --> 00:23:18,600 Speaker 1: like he that's the best he's felt in a Cubs uniform. 422 00:23:18,680 --> 00:23:20,359 Speaker 4: He said, like he had last year. 423 00:23:20,400 --> 00:23:23,240 Speaker 1: He had really really good results, but he remembers coming 424 00:23:23,280 --> 00:23:25,960 Speaker 1: off the field and being like, it doesn't feel right 425 00:23:26,000 --> 00:23:26,960 Speaker 1: coming out of my hand. 426 00:23:27,320 --> 00:23:30,000 Speaker 4: Something's not clicking. Something clicked for him. 427 00:23:30,080 --> 00:23:34,439 Speaker 1: He felt delivery wise, and and and everything, And like 428 00:23:34,560 --> 00:23:37,359 Speaker 1: if that's the case, you'd like, let's see him carry 429 00:23:37,359 --> 00:23:39,760 Speaker 1: it out. Like he's got another start Tuesday or Wednesday, 430 00:23:39,960 --> 00:23:40,879 Speaker 1: Let's see him carry it on. 431 00:23:41,000 --> 00:23:44,120 Speaker 4: But like, yeah, like that's this is looking good. 432 00:23:44,240 --> 00:23:47,080 Speaker 1: Like there's a lot of positives here, the offense looks great, 433 00:23:47,119 --> 00:23:50,000 Speaker 1: that you have some starters that look really impressive. 434 00:23:51,640 --> 00:23:53,399 Speaker 4: Suddenly, I would not allow. 435 00:23:53,920 --> 00:23:57,159 Speaker 1: I would hope Cubs fans can see, like you know, 436 00:23:57,200 --> 00:24:00,239 Speaker 1: the forest through the trees and understand that, yes, there 437 00:24:00,240 --> 00:24:03,000 Speaker 1: there are issues with the bullpen. It's fair to be concerned, 438 00:24:03,000 --> 00:24:06,960 Speaker 1: but don't let Sunday's bad outing color the entire weekend 439 00:24:07,080 --> 00:24:09,480 Speaker 1: because it was a good weekend and there's a lot 440 00:24:09,520 --> 00:24:12,960 Speaker 1: of positives here. And I think the point of your 441 00:24:13,560 --> 00:24:17,359 Speaker 1: your story, like I like I understood it to be 442 00:24:17,359 --> 00:24:19,119 Speaker 1: like this is gonna be a fun year. I really 443 00:24:19,200 --> 00:24:21,800 Speaker 1: this looks like there's a chance to be entertainment and 444 00:24:22,119 --> 00:24:23,639 Speaker 1: a quality product out there. 445 00:24:24,800 --> 00:24:31,119 Speaker 2: Yeah that's not like you know, uh, like we're starting 446 00:24:31,119 --> 00:24:35,840 Speaker 2: to book like hotels for playoff possibilities and planning for 447 00:24:35,920 --> 00:24:39,240 Speaker 2: that coverage. But I do think like the team is 448 00:24:39,320 --> 00:24:42,120 Speaker 2: like good enough to be in the race all. 449 00:24:41,960 --> 00:24:44,919 Speaker 3: The way until the end. And I think when you 450 00:24:45,000 --> 00:24:49,800 Speaker 3: have some of the behind the scenes intrigue going. 451 00:24:49,600 --> 00:24:53,520 Speaker 2: On at wrigley Field, kind of the business baseball tension. 452 00:24:53,960 --> 00:24:57,200 Speaker 2: You've got Kyle Tucker, you know, having the beginning of 453 00:24:57,240 --> 00:24:59,960 Speaker 2: what could be a monster season. You have, you know, 454 00:25:00,280 --> 00:25:03,280 Speaker 2: a fan base that has been kind of waiting for this. 455 00:25:04,640 --> 00:25:10,479 Speaker 2: Wrigley Field is still the ultimate star. I thought it 456 00:25:10,520 --> 00:25:14,159 Speaker 2: was cool to have the kind of weekend, you know, 457 00:25:14,240 --> 00:25:20,080 Speaker 2: three one twenty games starting up the home schedule there 458 00:25:20,320 --> 00:25:27,199 Speaker 2: and that you know, they've also sort of proven that 459 00:25:27,880 --> 00:25:31,040 Speaker 2: they have that staying power and that you know, that's 460 00:25:31,160 --> 00:25:33,240 Speaker 2: kind of you're there. When we were talking to Council 461 00:25:33,320 --> 00:25:34,680 Speaker 2: and I was like, I know you're going to say, 462 00:25:35,240 --> 00:25:36,960 Speaker 2: we're just trying to win a game today, but. 463 00:25:36,960 --> 00:25:38,439 Speaker 3: Don't you sort of look at the season. 464 00:25:38,880 --> 00:25:41,760 Speaker 2: Do you look at the season in segments, and that 465 00:25:42,000 --> 00:25:46,240 Speaker 2: so far we're you know, there may be not quite 466 00:25:46,320 --> 00:25:49,919 Speaker 2: halfway through, but there's this first month, but it's like 467 00:25:49,960 --> 00:25:54,800 Speaker 2: the toughest month in baseball for any team, right And 468 00:25:54,880 --> 00:25:58,359 Speaker 2: to be in first place, to be to avoid what 469 00:25:58,520 --> 00:26:02,439 Speaker 2: happened to the Braves, and also that weird like ramp up, 470 00:26:02,560 --> 00:26:04,840 Speaker 2: ramp down, ramp up again, and to not have any 471 00:26:04,960 --> 00:26:09,680 Speaker 2: devastating injuries is big. And Council would acknowledge that that 472 00:26:09,760 --> 00:26:14,160 Speaker 2: he feels like they put together a stable foundation for 473 00:26:14,440 --> 00:26:17,680 Speaker 2: through these first ten days, that pitchers have been used appropriately, 474 00:26:18,359 --> 00:26:20,240 Speaker 2: that they've prepared accordingly. 475 00:26:21,760 --> 00:26:23,800 Speaker 3: But as he said, they're not out of the woods. 476 00:26:23,600 --> 00:26:28,240 Speaker 1: Yet, right seven yeah, seven and five through twelve games. 477 00:26:28,280 --> 00:26:31,880 Speaker 1: I believe I'm counting quickly here, seventeen more games left 478 00:26:31,880 --> 00:26:34,760 Speaker 1: in this daunting start, if that's what you want to 479 00:26:34,800 --> 00:26:37,200 Speaker 1: call it, before they face the Pirates. 480 00:26:38,600 --> 00:26:40,640 Speaker 4: To kind of wrap up April. 481 00:26:42,880 --> 00:26:45,919 Speaker 1: You can go seven and ten in those seventeen and 482 00:26:45,960 --> 00:26:48,960 Speaker 1: feel good about April. Right, Obviously fans are going to 483 00:26:49,000 --> 00:26:52,480 Speaker 1: want more after the start to the season, but it's 484 00:26:52,560 --> 00:26:57,800 Speaker 1: a tough stretch here, and they look like they can 485 00:26:57,880 --> 00:27:01,240 Speaker 1: handle it, right that they're competitive at these teams, So 486 00:27:02,359 --> 00:27:05,080 Speaker 1: you know, obviously you want better than seven and ten. 487 00:27:05,359 --> 00:27:07,840 Speaker 1: I think they're capable of better than seven and ten, 488 00:27:07,920 --> 00:27:11,320 Speaker 1: But let's see, let's see what they do, and then 489 00:27:11,760 --> 00:27:14,439 Speaker 1: if they can survive this April, you know, then you 490 00:27:14,440 --> 00:27:17,240 Speaker 1: feel really good about the rest of the season as 491 00:27:17,240 --> 00:27:20,000 Speaker 1: long as they're healthy, figure some things out in the bullpen. 492 00:27:20,080 --> 00:27:22,600 Speaker 1: Bullpens can stabilize. I know it looks uckly now, but 493 00:27:22,640 --> 00:27:24,480 Speaker 1: they can that they can stabilize. 494 00:27:24,520 --> 00:27:26,320 Speaker 4: We've seen it in years past. 495 00:27:26,640 --> 00:27:29,760 Speaker 1: You just don't want it to be a month or 496 00:27:29,800 --> 00:27:32,200 Speaker 1: two month process where you fit where it takes too 497 00:27:32,200 --> 00:27:33,200 Speaker 1: long to figure it out. 498 00:27:33,320 --> 00:27:34,560 Speaker 4: If we're talking about. 499 00:27:34,280 --> 00:27:36,320 Speaker 1: This in the middle or late May and it's cost 500 00:27:36,400 --> 00:27:39,960 Speaker 1: them a half dozen games, yes, and it's like, why 501 00:27:40,040 --> 00:27:41,240 Speaker 1: is this not getting figured out? 502 00:27:41,400 --> 00:27:41,640 Speaker 4: Right? 503 00:27:42,600 --> 00:27:46,280 Speaker 1: But we'll see, We'll see if there's moves made, if 504 00:27:46,320 --> 00:27:50,360 Speaker 1: there's adjustments made with the players, if the players frankly 505 00:27:50,400 --> 00:27:52,080 Speaker 1: just stabilized, because we've seen that as well. 506 00:27:52,520 --> 00:27:53,200 Speaker 4: Bad pictures. 507 00:27:53,440 --> 00:27:57,040 Speaker 1: Bad relievers suddenly become good relievers because something clicks and 508 00:27:57,280 --> 00:27:59,920 Speaker 1: or someone like you adjust something and it works out. 509 00:28:00,240 --> 00:28:03,840 Speaker 1: So I don't wanna suggest that this is gonna last forever, 510 00:28:03,880 --> 00:28:07,119 Speaker 1: but obviously can't continue the way it's it's been going 511 00:28:07,359 --> 00:28:11,240 Speaker 1: for certain guys. All right, Patrick, we'll we'll be back 512 00:28:11,720 --> 00:28:15,800 Speaker 1: with They start three with the Rangers tonight Monday night. 513 00:28:16,440 --> 00:28:19,480 Speaker 1: H That that isn't a you know, it's a solid 514 00:28:19,520 --> 00:28:23,280 Speaker 1: Rangers team, not a terrific not a not a you know, imposing, 515 00:28:23,359 --> 00:28:27,520 Speaker 1: not a terrifying team. So we'll see how they do. Uh, 516 00:28:27,600 --> 00:28:30,920 Speaker 1: who's it tonight? Who it's showda No Shoda goes tomorrow. 517 00:28:31,680 --> 00:28:36,280 Speaker 1: Steal yeah, steal yeah, steals back. Then all right, okay, 518 00:28:36,320 --> 00:28:38,719 Speaker 1: we got three against the Rangers and then and then 519 00:28:38,760 --> 00:28:40,640 Speaker 1: another West Coast trip. We'll see how the Cubs do 520 00:28:40,760 --> 00:28:43,160 Speaker 1: with all this stuff. Thanks so much for listening everyone, 521 00:28:43,160 --> 00:28:46,440 Speaker 1: This is Northside Territory. Make sure you rate, review, subscribe, 522 00:28:47,080 --> 00:28:49,600 Speaker 1: Subscribe to the YouTube channel, Subscribe to The Athletic where 523 00:28:49,600 --> 00:28:51,280 Speaker 1: Patrick and I are on top of all things. 524 00:28:51,360 --> 00:29:01,440 Speaker 4: Cubs, take care everyone. Thanks the name. 525 00:29:02,880 --> 00:29:18,640 Speaker 7: Anyone name Baddy, the 526 00:29:22,920 --> 00:29:23,080 Speaker 2: Ord