Brett and Michael are back for the sixty-first episode of the Bleacher Nation Cubs Podcast (Presented by Ankin Law)! The Cubs’ winning streak nearly came to an end last night—but instead, they found yet another way to pull off a comeback victory. The guys react to a stretch that now includes eight straight wins, multiple comeback victories, and a growing feeling that this team simply refuses to fold late in games.

They also dive into a big-picture roster conversation: if extensions eventually come into play, would the Cubs realistically choose between Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki long term? Both are producing at a high level, but with payroll considerations and future roster construction looming, the guys debate whether both can realistically remain part of the core.

On the injury front, the rotation took another hit with Matthew Boyd undergoing surgery. While the Cubs remain optimistic he’ll contribute again later this season, it’s another challenge for a staff already dealing with significant injuries. The immediate focus now becomes surviving the next month-plus while keeping the rest of the pitching staff healthy.

Fortunately, the bullpen continues to step up. Phil Maton and Jacob Webb have both looked sharp recently, with Webb especially settling into valuable multi-inning work. Brett and Michael also workshop an interesting theory: all of these early wins may help preserve the pitching staff over the long haul by allowing Craig Counsell to avoid overtaxing key arms in high-stress situations.

And with both the Boyd and Justin Steele situations lingering, the guys discuss whether the Cubs are increasingly trending toward making a meaningful move for starting pitching before the trade deadline arrives.

A special thank you to Ankin Law for sponsoring this podcast!

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