A single insane ninth inning can make you feel like the Cubs are turning a corner, and five minutes later you’re right back to asking what’s broken. That’s the push and pull we’re sitting with after the Athletics series: a needed win, a shaky foundation, and a weekend set at Wrigley Field against a Giants team that’s somehow playing even worse lately. With a big chunk of remaining games coming against under-.500 opponents, the next few weeks aren’t just a schedule break, they’re a decision point for how we should judge this roster.
We also get specific about what fans argue over every day but rarely define clearly: slugging percentage. I walk through the simple math, the real-life meaning, and the benchmarks that separate “fine” from “weak” from “unplayable” for everyday MLB hitters. Then we put names on it, starting with Alex Bregman’s early-season slug and what it implies when you’re paid like a centerpiece and hitting in the middle of the order. The 2016 Cubs come up as context not for nostalgia, but to show how much lineup damage used to exist and how rare it feels right now.
From there it’s the rest of the state of the team: Shota Imanaga’s sudden crash, a bullpen that feels faceless, PCA’s potential spark, Michael Busch’s heater, and why I’m setting a June rule to focus more on position players than pitching. We also address the uncomfortable chatter about Craig Counsell and what it even means to “blame the manager” in modern baseball, before closing with a Giants preview including what makes Robbie Ray difficult and why this series needs to go the Cubs’ way. If this helped you see the Cubs with clearer eyes, subscribe, share the show, and leave a review.
Thanks for tuning in!
- Carl & Mahoney
