Episodios

  • CubsPS+ #83: Talking Cubs’ Draft, Prospect Depth & Deadline Decisions with Greg Zumach

    CubsPS+ #83: Talking Cubs’ Draft, Prospect Depth & Deadline Decisions with Greg Zumach
    Jul 23 2024
    Episode 83: Talking Cubs Draft, Prospect Depth & Deadline Decisions with Greg Zumach Host: Mike Waller Guest: Greg Zumach Episode Summary: In this episode, Mike Waller is joined by Greg Zumach to dive deep into the Chicago Cubs' recent draft picks and their implications for the team's future. They discuss the Cubs' drafting strategies, standout picks, and what these new players could bring to the organization. Key Topics: Introduction Mike welcomes Greg Zumach to the podcast. Greg shares his excitement about discussing the Cubs and the draft. Cubs' Draft Strategy Focus on college bats and players from the Cape Cod League. Importance of wood bat leagues in scouting. Cubs' emphasis on specific player traits such as reduced chase rates and strong contact abilities. Notable Draft Picks Cam Smith: Exceptional performer in the Cape Cod League. Expected to be a strong third baseman with potential improvements ahead. Cole Mathis: A highly praised pick with a good chance of succeeding in the Cubs' system. Ronnie Cruz and Ty Southeson: High school infielders with different foundational strengths. Draft Camps and Scouting Increased number of draft camps hosted by the Cubs. Gathering trustworthy data through these camps. System Needs and Draft Philosophy Balancing the need for pitching with the emphasis on strong hitters. Addressing gaps in the system while also looking for high upside players. Day Three Highlights Eli Lovich: A promising high school over-slot pick. Ben Johnson: Intriguing arm with impressive Stuff+ model readings despite college stats. Player Development and Minor League System Challenges posed by the 165-player limit in the minors. Importance of player development and the impact of minor league reductions. Prospects' Future Discussion on how new draftees fit into the Cubs' system. Potential rankings and expectations for Cam Smith, Cole Mathis, and others. Cubs' Major League Strategy Balancing prospect development with major league needs. Jed Hoyer's approach to the trade deadline and the future outlook. Comparisons between Ivan Brethauer and Jonathan Long. Cubs' farm system depth and potential trades. Closing Thoughts: Mike and Greg wrap up the discussion, hinting at potential offseason talks about trades and future drafts. Follow Us: Find Greg Zumach: @IvyFutures on Twitter/X @Ivy_Futures on Instagram NorthSideBound.com Cubs On Deck Podcast (co-host with Greg Huss & Bryan Smith) Find Mike Waller @CubsPSPlus on Twitter/X, Instagram, YouTube, Threads, BlueSky Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 h
  • CubsPS+ The Signs #1: Blown Saves

    CubsPS+ The Signs #1: Blown Saves
    Jul 19 2024
    Podcast Show Notes: CubsPS+ The Signs Episode 1 Episode Title: The Signs: Blown Saves Host: Mike Waller Description: Welcome to the debut episode of "CubsPS+ The Signs," my new podcast where I take a deep dive into interesting numbers, trends, and plays related to the Chicago Cubs. This short-form podcast aims to land in your feed one or two times a week, offering quick hits on specific topics that may not fit into my larger episodes. Episode Summary: In this first episode, I discuss the concept of "blown saves" in baseball, a statistic that often causes confusion and frustration among fans. I delve into the nuances of this stat, explaining why it can be misleading and how it should be properly contextualized. Key points I cover include: The definition of a blown save and how it differs from a traditional save. Why not all saves (and blown saves) are created equal. The performance of the Cubs bullpen this season, highlighting the team's struggles with blown saves. The importance of the save plus hold percentage as a more comprehensive measure of bullpen performance. Examples of games where the Cubs bullpen struggled and how these instances impacted the team's overall performance. The potential impact of improving the bullpen, especially at the trade deadline. Key Stats and Insights: The Cubs bullpen has blown 23 leads this season, ranking among the worst in baseball. The team is 14-20 in one-run games and has 18 blown saves. The importance of looking beyond just the closer when analyzing blown saves. Cubs' current bullpen situation and potential trade deadline moves to bolster the relief pitching staff. League average save percentage vs. Cubs save percentage and its impact on the team's standings. Takeaway: Understanding the blown save stat requires context. It doesn't always indicate poor performance by the closer alone, but rather reflects overall bullpen management and performance. Despite the Cubs' struggles, there are signs of improvement, and strategic moves could enhance their chances as the season progresses. Call to Action: Support Cubs PS Plus on Patreon for ad-free episodes and exclusive content: patreon.com/CubsPSPlus. Follow Me: Twitter: @CubsPSPlus Instagram: @CubsPSPlus TikTok: @CubsPSPlus Threads: @CubsPSPlus Blue Sky: @CubsPSPlus YouTube: Cubs PS Plus Join the Conversation: Share your thoughts on this episode and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Your feedback helps me improve and reach more Cubs fans. Go Cubs! Produced by: Bleacher Bunch Productions on the Fans First Sports Network Related Shows: The Son Ranto Show Cuppa Cubbie Blue Baseball Rabbit Hole Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    21 m
  • Son Ranto #1003: Ranter Roundtable All-Star '24

    Son Ranto #1003: Ranter Roundtable All-Star '24
    Jul 19 2024
    All the stars came out to play during All-Star Break! The best minds in the baseball business: Bleacher Nation, Cubs Insider, Bricks Behind the Ivy, Bums in the Bleachers, Bleed Cubbie Blue, CHGO, Wrigleyville Nation, Cubs PS Plus, Fly the W, The Set Up Man, and Comedian Eric Wielo. Early and ad free access when you support the Son Ranto Show by becoming a Super Ranter for only 1 dollar at http://www.patreon.com/sonranto FREE TRIALS AVAILABLE! Buy your tickets here http://www.sonranto.com/tickets Buy your gear here http://www.sonranto.com/shopping Buy your Amazon here http://www.sonranto.com/stuff Buy your shirts here http://www.intheclutch.com/sonranto CODE "SONRANTO" for 10% Off! Buy more shirts here http://www.sonranto.com/swag Listen to Bleacher Bum Band! https://open.spotify.com/album/0gedLl... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    3 h y 39 m
  • CubsPS+ #82: Shōta Scorless in ASG, Can Cubs Rally?

    CubsPS+ #82: Shōta Scorless in ASG, Can Cubs Rally?
    Jul 17 2024
    Episode Title: Shōta Scoreless in ASG, Can Cubs Rally? Show Notes: Hey everyone, welcome to episode 82 of the podcast! Today, we're honoring Shota Imanaga for his stellar performance in the All-Star Game and his impressive stats. Imanaga's scoreless fourth inning and his 82 FIP- are just some highlights of his skills that we're celebrating. New Segment Announcement: I'm excited to announce a new segment debuting this week called "Cubs PS Plus The Signs." Inspired by NPR's "The Indicator" Shorter, quick-hitter podcast episodes (5-15 minutes) The first episode will be released on Friday, focusing on blown saves and their varying impacts Cubs Mid-Season Analysis: Despite a disappointing first half, there have been bright spots, especially in the pitching staff: Justin Steele Shota Imanaga Jamison Taillon Bullpen and Injuries: Early injuries and overuse have plagued the bullpen Promising developments from young arms: Porter Hodge Luke Little Daniel Palencia Offensive Struggles and Injuries: The team started strong but faced challenges with injuries to key players: Seiya Suzuki Ian Happ Dansby Swanson Trade Deadline Strategy: Looking ahead, the trade deadline is looming. The Cubs need to balance between buying and selling: Potential to make a playoff push Strategic moves and possible additions to bolster the lineup and bullpen Player Updates: Christopher Morel's performance Return of Cody Bellinger and Mike Tauchman Handling roster changes and impact on young prospects: Pete Crow-Armstrong As always, your feedback is crucial. Let me know what you think of the new segment and any thoughts you have on the team's strategy moving forward. Enjoy the rest of your summer, stay safe, and get ready for more Cubs action starting Friday! Stay tuned for the debut of "Cubs PS Plus The Signs" and more exciting content coming your way. Thanks for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    46 m
  • Game 2: Inning 2-Women In The Game

    Game 2: Inning 2-Women In The Game
    Jul 16 2024
    It's not well known, but women have played and been a part of the major leagues for years. This Baseball Rabbithole introduces us to some of them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    33 m
  • Son Ranto #1002: Season #Fake Rally

    Son Ranto #1002: Season #Fake Rally
    Jul 12 2024
    Did the Cubs Sweeping of the Orioles give you any more hope? Early and ad free access when you support the Son Ranto Show by becoming a Super Ranter for only 1 dollar at http://www.patreon.com/sonranto FREE TRIALS AVAILABLE! Buy your tickets here http://www.sonranto.com/tickets Buy your gear here http://www.sonranto.com/shopping Buy your Amazon here http://www.sonranto.com/stuff Buy your shirts here http://www.intheclutch.com/sonranto CODE "SONRANTO" for 10% Off! Buy more shirts here http://www.sonranto.com/swag Listen to Bleacher Bum Band! https://open.spotify.com/album/0gedLl... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    2 h y 37 m
  • CubsPS+ #81: Reflecting on the Cubs & A Podcast Journey

    CubsPS+ #81: Reflecting on the Cubs & A Podcast Journey
    Jul 9 2024
    Episode Title: Reflecting on the Cubs & A Podcast Journey Hosts: Mike Waller Release Date: July 9, 2024 Summary: In this special episode of Cubs PS Plus, I reflect on the two-year anniversary of my podcast and the mid performance of the Cubs over this period. I delve into the team's journey, highlighting key moments and players, and intertwine personal anecdotes about my own life changes and how they influenced my passion for podcasting and baseball. Key Topics: Anniversary Milestone: Celebrating two years of Cubs PS Plus. The Cubs’ record of 165-167, equating to an 81-win pace. Cubs Journey: Recap of the Cubs’ performance starting from July 2022. Major trades and player movements . Analysis of the 2022 season strategy of experimenting with players. Player Highlights: Performance reviews of key players like Frank Schwindel, Nico Horner, Ian Happ, and Christopher Morel. The development and impact of new players like Seiya Suzuki and Marcus Stroman. Reflections on Justin Steele’s emergence as a key pitcher. Personal Reflections: Mike’s journey through personal loss and career changes. The role of podcasting as a creative and therapeutic outlet. The evolution of his relationship with the Cubs and baseball. Podcasting Experience: Mike’s love for podcasts and how it influenced the creation of Cubs PS Plus. Learning the technical aspects of podcasting and content creation. The balance between structured content and freeform discussions. Fan Interaction: The importance of listener feedback and engagement. Sharing experiences from interacting with Cubs fans and fellow podcasters. Future of the Cubs: Looking ahead to the potential moves and strategies for the Cubs. The need for bold decisions to transition from mid-level performance to a division-winning team. Listener Interaction: Mike encourages listeners to share their thoughts and feedback on the episode. Call for questions and topics for future episodes. Follow Us: Available as part of the Bleacher Bunch podcast feed Twitter/X, Instagram, Threads, BlueSky & YouTube: @CubsPSPlus Sponsor: Thank you to the CubsPS+ Patreon supporters! Music: “Prospect Park West” by Jerry McHoy Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the hosts and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any baseball organization. Make sure to tune in to the next episode for more insights and analysis on the Cubs and their journey. Thank you for listening and supporting Cubs PS Plus! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 h y 13 m
  • Son Ranto #1001: Chicago Cubs F-Yeah!

    Son Ranto #1001: Chicago Cubs F-Yeah!
    Jul 5 2024
    The Cubs keep losing, but at least this time it's against good teams. Danny and Michael have a good time going through it anyway, with some Rakes, Flakes, Throws and Blows to for June! Early and ad free access when you support the Son Ranto Show by becoming a Super Ranter for only 1 dollar at http://www.patreon.com/sonranto FREE TRIALS AVAILABLE! Buy your tickets here http://www.sonranto.com/tickets Buy your gear here http://www.sonranto.com/shopping Buy your Amazon here http://www.sonranto.com/stuff Buy your shirts here http://www.intheclutch.com/sonranto CODE "SONRANTO" for 10% Off! Buy more shirts here http://www.sonranto.com/swag Listen to Bleacher Bum Band! https://open.spotify.com/album/0gedLl... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    2 h y 7 m