Cubs Cards Cast

As MLB nears the All-Star break, only 3.5 games separate the first and last place teams in the NL Central. In other words, nobody's in and nobody's out at mid-season. This creates more excitement in more places but anxiety is rampant in Chicago and St. Louis, where fans were expecting better results by now.

Dan and John talk about the dramatic changes in the bullpens of their respective teams -- the Cubs add Craig Kimbrel just as the Cardinals lose Jordan Hicks to season-ending surgery. Certainly looks more optimistic at the moment in Chicago than St. Louis, but the season is only half over and many more twists and turns remain.

Dan and John talk about the continued stalemate in the NL Central, with the Cubs, Cards and Brewers within 3 games of each other. John, however, believes the Cubs are about to take off with the addition of pitcher Adbert Alzolay. Dan has some proposed roster moves for the Cardinals to shake them out of their mediocrity. 

Dan and John talk about the Cubs sweep of the Cardinals at Wrigley Field and the Cardinals' continued struggles. Both agree now that the hockey season is over, STL fans are about to turn up the heat on the Cardinals' struggling front office.

Dan and John preview the third Cubs-Cards series this year -- a three gamer at Wrigley. Both previous series were swept by the home team, including last weekend's Cards' sweep at Busch Stadium. For the record, Cards fan Dan is predicting a Cubs sweep. The "trip" reference is Stanley Cup related, as St. Louis is more interested in hockey than baseball at the moment.

Dan and John talk about the Cardinals' continued struggles, particularly with starting pitching. Dan says he'd rather watch hockey right now. John is happy with the Cubs pitching and says he doesn't want the team to sign Craig Kimbrel. Both co-hosts express their admiration of Manny Trillo.

Dan and John discuss the Cubs relatively good stretch and the Cardinals slump while weighing in (negatively) on the news that the Cubs-Cards will be playing 3 games next year in London in July. What is the point of depriving Illinois and Missouri of three games of the best rivalry in baseball?

Dan and John discuss an eventful week: Cubs sweep Cardinals and Addison Russell returns to the fold. Also, the resurgent Milwaukee Brewers head to Wrigley for another NL Central showdown. 

Dan and John talk about the first head-to-head meeting of the Cubs and Cardinals -- a three-game set at Wrigley Field starting today. Both teams are red-hot and occupy first and second places in the NL Central. The anticipation level is high and so is the pre-game trash talk. 

Dan and John talk about the shifting NL Central, where the Cardinals and Cubs have reasserted themselves for now at the top while the Brewers take a step back. Is this the new realignment or just a temporary situation?