Cubs Cards Cast

Dan and John talk about an eventful week off the field for the Cubs and Cardinals, as the Cubs DFA a veteran catcher for mouthiness and the Cards call up a beefy hometown slugger to spark lineup. The moves didn't have an immediate impact as both teams finished the week 3-4 as they head toward the All-Star break and larger moves.

Dan and John review another mediocre week for the Cubs and Cards and zero in on the controversy surrounding the Anthony Rizzo slide play at home plate. They also discuss the trade deadline, Jake Arrieta's latest excuse, Javier Baez' photo shoot and Tommy Pham's unusual outlook. Former Cardinal and Cub Ken Reitz also was discussed as he has become a social media focal point for some Cardinals fans.

Dan and John are more gloomy than usual as both their teams find themselves below .500 in mid-June. The bright side is the poor place of the NL Central, which gives both teams the opportunity to remain in contention. Both co-hosts agree their respective general managers better get busy at the trade deadline to improve the rosters.

Dan and John continue to talk about the putrid NL Central and specifically the Cardinals 7 game losing streak on the heels of the Cubs 6 game skid. Is anybody capable of taking charge in the division or is it going to be a scrum until September?

After a brief climb to first place, the Cubs got swept by the Dodgers and Padres on the West Coast and stumble home to face the slightly less stumbling Cardinals. It will be the first meeting of the rivals this year at Wrigley Field. Will either team wake up this month and take charge of the weak NL Central?

Dan and John continue to puzzle about the topsy-turvy NL Central, where the Cubs have regained first place after a brief stay by the Cardinals and Brewers. Tough games ahead for both teams before the all-star break as major moves loom.

As the Cubs and Cardinals prepare for a showdown series in STL this weekend, all of a sudden the Cardinals are red-hot and in first place in the NL Central and the Cubs are .500 and in fourth place. Will these surprising results flip around soon or is there something different about 2017?

Dan and John agree that the Cubs starting pitching woes is the biggest story of the season so far for the two teams. John even goes so far to predict the Cards will pass the Cubs in the NL Central standings by next weekend.

Dan and John continue to debate whether each team's relatively mediocre Aprils is a sign of anything to come. John says Cubs will get better and Dan says the Cardinals might surge past the Cubs in May.

Dan and John debate which team is more in danger of slippage. John sees the Cardinals with a weak lineup and Dan notes the Cubs' pitching already showing signs of substantial regression.