Cubs Now

Marquee Sports Network

Alex Cohen is a play-by-play announcer, and Lance Brozdowski is a player development analyst -- Chicago Cubs insiders who see the game from completely different angles and aren't afraid to have a conversation about it. So, they do, bringing their press-pass access and insight to Marquee Sports Network's brand-new Cubs podcast. Twice per week. All season long.

Subscribe Listen in podnod RSS feed Show website

471 episodes
Updated Monday

Episodes471

Newest first

Aug 3, 2022 · 43 min
A trade deadline full of surprises
The MLB trade deadline came and went and there was no shortage of surprising moves - by the Cubs and around the league. Juan Soto and Josh Hader are among the stars switching teams while the Cubs held on to a pair of stars of their own in Willson Contreras and Ian Happ. Even one of the moves the Cubs did make - trading away young reliever Scott Effross - was surprising, though the trio of veterans shipped out was predictable. Our panel of Elise Menaker, Andy Martinez and Tony Andracki break down all the deadline madness and how it affects the Cubs moving forward. Full rundown: 00:35 - Trivia 03:10 - Reaction to Contreras/Happ remaining with Cubs 09:29 - How does this affect the final two months of the Cubs' season? 14:46 - Is Contreras now more likely to sign an extension with the Cubs? 18:22 - Jed Hoyer on the Cubs' deadline haul 20:29 - What stands out to you most about the Cubs' deals? 28:35 - Who needs to step up for the Cubs post-deadline? 33:41 - What surprised you most about the deadline? 37:25 - How did the Soto trade impact the market for the Cubs?
Jul 28, 2022 · 43 min
A convo with Carter Hawkins
Cubs GM Carter Hawkins sits down with Cole Wright to discuss Willson Contreras' future, Nico Hoerner's emergence and more. Plus, the Cubs Weekly panel of Elise Menaker, Andy Martinez and Tony Andracki recap the emotional series at Wrigley Field for Contreras and Ian Happ. The trio also previews the upcoming trade deadline and the stories they're following leading up to the busy day. 00:46 - Trivia 02:51 - Recapping emotional series at Wrigley Field for Contreras, Happ 07:34 - All eyes on the trade deadline 13:11 - Cole Wright sits down with Cubs GM Carter Hawkins 40:27 - Story of the week
Jul 20, 2022 · 32 min
Dan Kantrovitz analyzes 2022 Draft
Cubs vice president of scouting Dan Kantrovitz drops by the Cubs Weekly Podcast to dissect the organization's 2022 MLB Draft haul. Lance Brozdowski and Tony Andracki chat with Kantrovitz about the run on pitching (16 of the 20 selections were pitchers), two-way players, the timing of the draft and how the pre-draft plan came to fruition.
Jul 14, 2022 · 35 min
The path to LA
Elise Menaker, Andy Martinez and Tony Andracki chronicle the journey to the MLB All-Star game for a couple of Cubs - Ian Happ and Willson Contreras. Plus: An All-Star themed trivia question, takeaways from the series with Baltimore and where the Orioles are at in their rebuild and how Kyle Hendricks' injury affects the rotation. - (00:28) Trivia - (02:45) Ian Happ's All-Star journey - (10:03) Willson Contreras' path to L.A. - (15:23) Takeaways from Cubs' series with Orioles - (21:29) Kyle Hendricks' injury and how it impacts the rotation - (26:59) HR Derby chatter - (30:48) Story of the Week
Jul 5, 2022 · 39 min
The wonder of Wrigley
The theme of this week's podcast is Wrigley Field, as two members of the "Friendly Confines" crew stop by to detail their day-to-day duties. Mira Emma, a groundscrew intern and an Iowa State soccer player, joins Elise Menaker for an interview on how she helps get the playing surface ready for the Cubs. Also, security guard Fabian De Hoyos chats with Andy Martinez about his sudden rise to fame after going viral during a broadcast last week. And then there was the defense of Wrigley Field that galvanized Cubs fans after a Boston Red Sox pitcher attacked the iconic ballpark. Catch it all on this week's podcast: (00:54) Cubs trivia question (03:56) Seiya Suzuki's return and inside-the-park homer (08:10) Mira Emma interview (21:23) Fabian De Hoyos interview (31:47) The legend of Fabian (35:12) Story of the week
Jun 29, 2022 · 32 min
Making strides
Elise Menaker, Tony Andracki and Andy Martinez discuss all the latest surrounding the Cubs - particularly how young players are making strides toward the future. Topics include: - (00:35) A Kyle Hendricks trivia question - (06:54) A snippet from a new feature with Hendricks - (11:02) Nico Hoerner's incredible hot stretch - (16:15) Christopher Morel's growing pains - (22:24) Keegan Thompson's future in the rotation - (29:01) Our favorite stories of the week
Jun 22, 2022 · 29 min
Pitching decisions
The Cubs were forced to make a variety of tough pitching decisions this week, including optioning Adrian Sampson and top prospect Caleb Kilian down to the minors. Elise Menaker, Taylor McGregor and Tony Andracki discuss why the Cubs made each move and what comes next for the team. Plus, an All-Star voting update brought about some surprises - and some very unsurprising developments. The panel also provides injury updates and discusses how Nico Hoerner has proved all the doubters wrong.
Jun 15, 2022 · 41 min
Insight from Christopher Morel's minor league coach
Paul McAnulty - the hitting coach at Class-A South Bend in 2019 - joins the Cubs Weekly Podcast to discuss what Christopher Morel was like as a player coming up through the Cubs system and how the youngster morphed into a star rookie in the majors. Plus, Elise Menaker, Tony Andracki and Andy Martinez chat about the state of the Cubs' rotation - including Kyle Hendricks' return to the mound, Justin Steele's development and Caleb Kilian's second stint in Chicago. The panel also dissects Ian Happ's breakout season and how the 2022 Cubs are all about opportunity for players like Eric Stout.
Jun 10, 2022 · 50 min
Young players to keep an eye on
Lance Brozdowski joins Elise Menaker and Tony Andracki on the Cubs Weekly Podcast. The trio discusses a host of young players in the organization, including Christopher Morel's breakout and Caleb Kilian's debut. Plus, what prospects have taken a leap this season? And who are some young players we might see in Chicago later this year following in the footsteps of Morel and Kilian? The panel also dissects Patrick Wisdom's adjustments at the plate and which Cubs players might be ticketed for the All-Star Game next month.
Jun 2, 2022 · 42 min
Christopher Morel's incredible start and checking in on Triple-A Iowa
It would be difficult to script a better first couple weeks for Christopher Morel in the major leagues. Elise Menaker, Tony Andracki and Iowa Cubs broadcaster Alex Cohen dissect Morel's hot start and how he has impacted the Chicago team. We also check in on how rehab assignments for David Bote and Alec Mills have gone in Iowa and updates on top prospects Caleb Kilian and Brennen Davis. Plus, who will be next to make the trip from Iowa to Chicago to help the big-league club? And how is the new pitch clock affecting the game in the minor leagues?
May 26, 2022 · 27 min
Dan Plesac
The Conductor himself, Dan Plesac, stops by the Cubs Weekly Podcast to chat with host Elise Menaker and Tony Andracki. The trio discusses the Cubs' recent stretch of quality play, Christopher Morel's staying power, Frank Schwindel's resurgence and a return to health by Nico Hoerner and Willson Contreras. Plus, who is next to get a statue outside Wrigley Field? And Plesac also weighs in on doubleheaders and his favorite Wrigley and Crosstown memories.
May 21, 2022 · 30 min
Fergie Day and Home Run Derby X
Fergie Jenkins' statue was unveiled at Wrigley Field this weekend and Tony Andracki and Andy Martinez provide their takeaways from the festivities, including what Billy Williams said. Plus, hear from Jenkins as he speaks to the crowd on hand and explains what the honor means to him. Also, Spencer Owen stops by Wrigley Field to detail his status as a Home Run Derby X Wild Card and how he is training to partner with Geovany Soto on the Cubs team in this summer's event.
May 11, 2022 · 34 min
Carlos Peña weighs in on the Cubs and a weird rule
Carlos Peña stops by the Cubs Weekly Podcast to chat with host Cole Wright and Andy Martinez about the Cubs' recent play, including a an all-around team victory Monday night in San Diego. From Kyle Hendricks' dominant outing to a strange week for Frank Schwindel to Nico Hoerner's budding stardom, the trio dissect every aspect of the Cubs roster - complete with pop culture references. Plus, why are players not rewarded with an RBI if they drive in a run while grounding into a double play? Peña, Wright and Martinez debate.
May 2, 2022 · 45 min
April lessons and favorite Crosstown memories with Sean Marshall
Sean Marshall joins Elise Menaker and Tony Andracki to chat about the top takeaways from the Cubs in the first month of the 2022 season. Marshall analyzes Marcus Stroman, Keegan Thompson, David Robertson and some other Cubs pitchers and provides his thoughts on this year's shortened Spring Training. Plus, the panel discusses favorite Crosstown memories, including Marshall's throwback to his playing days. Marshall, Menaker and Andracki also have a chat about the mental side of the game - with some help from Patrick Wisdom.
Apr 25, 2022 · 41 min
Big test looming for 2022 Cubs
Baseball is weird. That is one of the main takeaways our Cubs Weekly Podcast panel (Elise Menaker and Tony Andracki) had from the 4-game set with the Pirates at Wrigley Field. Menaker and Andracki analyze a few key areas of the roster coming into focus - including the batting order and bullpen. Plus, reinforcements could be on the horizon and Keegan Thompson's breakout season. The Cubs' next 14 games are all against playoff contenders, so we will learn a lot about what this team is made of during this upcoming stretch.
Apr 18, 2022 · 47 min
Assessing Cubs’ early offensive successes and Seiya Suzuki’s sizzling start
The Cubs split their road series with the Pirates and Rockies, with their offensive showings catching the eye of our panel — Elise Menaker and Andy Martínez. The pair discuss the hot start for the Cubs’ bats that ranks in the top 10 of baseball in many offensive categories and the showings of Patrick Wisdom and Frank Schwindel. Then, Menaker and Martínez breakdown Seiya Suzuki’s torrid start and what’s been most impressive so far. Menaker and Martínez discuss the Cubs’ rotation and how the pitching staff will look as they continue to get stretched out and into full game rhythm.
Apr 12, 2022 · 46 min
Opening Weekend takeaways and new prospect rankings
With the Cubs taking 2 of 3 from the Brewers in the first series of 2022, our panel (Elise Menaker, Tony Andracki and Lance Brozdowksi) discuss the top takeaways from the weekend. Topics include Seiya Suzuki's historic debut, the success of the rotation and surprising developments. Then, Brozdowski takes the group through his latest Top 25 Cubs prospect rankings, explaining why players slot in at each spot. Who made the biggest leap? Who is poised to shoot up the list in 2022 or beyond? Which players just missed the cut? Brozdowski answers these questions and more.
Apr 5, 2022 · 55 min
2022 preview and predictions plus a sit-down with Nick Madrigal
The 2022 MLB season is upon us! Our panel (Elise Menaker, Tony Andracki and Andy Martinez) previews the Cubs season and provides predictions on a variety of topics, including: -Favorite Spring Training moment -2022 Cubs breakout player -Under-the-radar players to keep an eye on -Who will lead the Cubs in homers? -Who will lead the Cubs in saves? -Biggest surprise of the season -Bold predictions -Must-watch series for the season Plus, Cubs second baseman Nick Madrigal stops by the podcast to chat about his unicorn approach at the plate, his thoughts on walk-up songs and how he will work with the team to stay healthy in 2022.
Mar 23, 2022 · 16 min
Suzuki, Contreras and other updates from Spring Training
Reporting from Mesa, Ariz., host Elise Menaker is joined by Bruce Levine and Tony Andracki to touch on all the latest updates from Cubs camp. From Seiya Suzuki's upcoming Cactus League debut to Willson Contreras' contract news to how the bullpen and pitching staff are shaping up, our crew discusses the most pertinent news.
Mar 17, 2022 · 29 min
Cubs make a splash in free agency and return of baseball
On this week’s edition of the Cubs Weekly Podcast, Andy Martínez, Cole Wright and Bruce Levine discuss the news on the reported signing of Seiya Suzuki. Then the trio breakdown the newest additions to the roster, including Marcus Stroman, Wade Miley and Andrelton Simmons. The crew also discusses some injury updates and Levine gives some insight on additions to the Cubs roster, all while celebrating the return of baseball.