Cubs Cards Cast

Dan and John talk about the Cardinals last week and whether they can somehow overcome their erratic nature and make the playoffs. There still is a decent shot the Cards would face the Cubs in the NLDS. For the Cubs, it's a relaxing week getting things organized for the playoffs.

Dan and John talk about a happy week for Cubs fans. The team clinched the NL Central while their hated rivals, the Cardinals, stumble out of the Wild Card spot and are teetering on the edge of oblivion this season. Will the Cardinals right the ship in time? How will the Cubs manage the final weeks of the season? Are the Cubs a lock for the World Series?

Dan and John ponder whether we are headed toward another Cards-Cubs NLDS showdown. The Cubs will be there and the Cardinals are far from certain to even make the playoffs. But it is fun to imagine another titanic I-55 confrontation.

Dan and John do a shortened edition due to time constraints and zero in on some startling starting pitching statistics. The stats say the Cardinals and Cubs starting pitching in a vacuum performed nearly evenly throughout the season but that the Cubs dramatic edge in defense has made an enormous difference in ERAs.

Dan and John discuss a big week in HR hitting for the Cubs and Cardinals. For the Cubs, Addison Russell and Kris Bryant led the charge. For the Cardinals, it has been a season-long orgy of home runs, with lots of participants, led by Brandon Moss and Jedd Gyorko. Of course, as noted, leading the NL in home runs are not helping the Cardinals catch the Cubs in the NL Central.

Dan and John review Cards-Cubs split in Chicago and note the teams' different paths in 2016 and beyond. Cards holding fire and stockpiling pitching talent as Cubs go for it all this year and next. Cards got glimpse of that future with debuts of Alex Reyes and Luke Weaver.

Dan and John talk about the NL Central race being over, the Cardinals scramble to gain a Wild Card spot and the eventful first game of the Cubs-Cards series in Chicago. The Cardinals lose Michael Wacha and Matt Holliday and the Cubs seek to find a wayward Tommy LaStella.

Dan and John review the Cubs eventful 7-1 homestand and it ends a period of nervousness for North Side fans while in St. Louis, the inconsistent sputtering continues even as the team remains firmly in the Wild Card hunt.

Dan and John explore the Cubs big trade acquiring premier closer Aroldis Chapman from the Yankees and what it means for the team's World Series hopes. Also explored is the Cardinals mysterious shuffling of pitches on the eve of the trade deadline.

As both the Cubs and Cardinals come out of the gate strong after the All-Star break, the focus is on the upcoming trade deadline. Who will the teams target on the open market? It is quite apparent the teams are approaching the deadline with different perspectives. Are the Cardinals creeping back in the NL Central race?