Cubbies ROLLING & Blackhawks Lottery Update

Cubs have won 17 of the last 20! Joey and Sam give their take on what has gone right on this season shifting run, and preview what's to come. The Blackhawks land a top 4 pick in the draft lottery. Give a listen!

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:02

Welcome to episode five of the Shy City Den. I am Joey Glickman alongside Sam Van Cleve. We're breaking down the biggest stories, the biggest games which happen just now in all things Chicago sports. If it's happening in Chicago, we're talking about it. We're recording directly after the Cubs walk off the Reds for the second consecutive evening. That that game really resembles how this season has gone in the past 25 games or so. Cubs down 2-0, not early, but down 1-0 early. Nathaniel Lowe makes a 2-0. Cubs come roaring back, have a lot of chances uh throughout the game. First and second, no outs, can't score. First and second, one out, can't score, get a run in the seventh. Michael Bush in the 8th hits a ball that I think landed in Boys Town. And Palencia shuts down the ninth. Rolliston does a fantastic job in the 10th. And Michael Bush, the hero in the 10th, as De La Cruz makes an error. The Cubs find a way to win again. Sam, your thoughts.

SPEAKER_00 1:34

I mean, Joe, this team is buzzing right now, man. Come on. I mean, it's just been impressive baseball the last the last two, two and a half weeks, you know, after we dropped three straight to uh what was it, the Dodgers and in uh Padres, we bounced back in in such a big way here. And it's it's been so fun to watch. Um, this team is really putting some crazy thoughts in my head right now. I can't lie to you. And especially after last night, I'd be um mistaken to not say this, but like right after last night's game, I I kind of had like division champs flashing my eyes, playoff series win flashing my eyes, but that's so far down the road. But this team is playing some incredible, incredible baseball, and we're showing that we can win in so many different ways right now, and that's the most impressive thing for me.

SPEAKER_01 2:26

Right. And and the resiliency that that this club has had in the past two weeks or so has been really, really fantastic. I mean, the the Dodgers comeback, uh, the comeback last evening down 3-0, and the comeback down tonight where it seemed like nothing was going our way. I mean, you had hard line drives right at guys, McLean a nice play, a diving stop. You know, you're you're hitting the guys, kind of not your night, but good teams find a way to win. Um and you look at the NL Central, I'm looking at it right now, you know, these are this is a really good division, probably as of as of now, the best in baseball. And to win the first two against the team that's probably I don't want to say it because the Brewers are the Brewers and they're gonna find a way to be there in the end. But I mean the Reds are probably the closest team to the Cubs right now. And they are, yeah. And to take two the first two of the season series is monumental. It's monumental, and the way they they've done it is it's huge.

SPEAKER_00 3:45

I mean, Joe, you're absolutely right, because the these series against our division opponents are are crucial because these long four-game sets, like we've seen it in the past. You have you get swept by the Brewers or swept by a division opponent that can erase a division lead in a matter of four days, you know. We could be sitting at first, and if we get beat, you know, three out of the four or something, we could be looking up the barrel and being find ourselves in second place. But I think to get out to a fast start in this series was so big for us. And we're we've been doing it in incredible ways. Like we've shown ability to play small ball, um, you know, take it station to station and play with the Chicago weather elements, and then we can show that we can, you know, put eight runs up on the board and then lock it down, um, even with our biggest bullpen arms out. Palencia came back tonight. He's humming sitting one-on-two. The VLO looks great. His command was a little iffy, but I mean, you know, he's been out for the last two weeks, so that shouldn't be a worry for me. But this team is just it's damn impressive right now with with the amount of guys we're kind of who are battling, you know, nagging stuff already earlier in the year. And uh yeah, Joe, I I I'm buzzing right now. This team is, you know, it's it's so fun to watch right now. It really is.

SPEAKER_01 4:58

It's so fun. Um, it's gonna be a very, very exciting summer. I want to talk about Craig and the job he's done with this bullpen. Um, the buttons that he has pushed the the past three weeks have have only been correct. Um, you know, you look at tonight, like a guy like Rollison, who who was a journeyman reliever in Colorado last year straight.

SPEAKER_00 5:28

Yeah, DFA'd by Colorado and White Sox, right?

SPEAKER_01 5:31

Correct. Um had a rough year last year, comes here. Um, other than that blunder the other day, he's been phenomenal. He he looked great tonight. And you know, guys like Milner, guys like like Webb has shown some signs the past couple outings. Um, obviously, you got Palencia. Uh, I know Webb's your guy.

SPEAKER_00 5:53

We were talking about it. I shouted him out, dude.

SPEAKER_01 5:56

You you did, and and and he hasn't given up a base runner since. Um you got guys that are really stepping up to the plate with with relievers out, and it's only gonna help them when they when July comes around, they're gonna get reinforcements, two arms, maybe three arms, um, in the back end of the bullpen. But it's been it's been phenomenal to see what Craig has done with this bullpen. Um, I mean, really the last two years with with the Kellers of the world and the Pomerances of the world, and now you got Ryan Rollison and all these names, it's really been a nice job from Craig from Craig, and you got to give him his credit.

SPEAKER_00 6:37

Yeah, absolutely. And I think he he he instills confidence into the into the guys he puts in in these roles, you know. He wouldn't be throwing them out there if he didn't feel confident in them. Um, so I I really like what Craig's doing the past couple days. I mean, just off the top of my head, I'm thinking of yesterday's game where Mo Baller uh came up in what was the bottom of the eighth. Uh, we were tired or down one still at that point. Uh but Mo bored the walk, uh, pinch ran Mo for a Shaw, uh, just pushing right buttons, you know, and right back to what I said, like he's instilling trust into our guys. And to be able to trust Conforto in that spot when he hasn't made the lineup the past four days, and for Conforto to work that full count A B and obviously end it the way he did was just incredible, man. It's it was one thing for him to you know get a base hit, but for him to go appo, uh, you know, middle way fastball, kind of upper third of the zone, and he took it opposite field and so left field for a homer. I mean, for Craig to kind of have that confidence and come forward on that moment, it's it I think it's pretty pretty darn special. And it kind of speaks to uh you know the kind of ready baseball we're playing right now. Uh it's you know, everyone's got to be ready, it's all hands-on deck type of type of ball we're playing right now.

SPEAKER_01 7:52

Right. And the one thing that's kind of iffy with with Craig is the the Biasteros situation with sometimes pulling them a little too early uh to go to the right-handed hitters. Um like it seems like after the fourth, if if a if a lefty comes in in the ball again to face to face Mo, they're they're gonna go to a Shah or a catcher, another catcher, whether that's a Maya or Kelly. I don't under I I really don't understand that. I think you know uh Mo Mo has struggled a little bit the past week. Um however, I think he's earned the right to see left-handed pitchers. I feel like he's been uh great this year. It's been great. It's been it's it's been a true treat to watch that man hit. He's incredible. And for example, like the homework that he had, what was that Sunday was just the big picture on how good of a hitter that he truly is. And you know, he he he's gonna be a big part of this team in 26 and and beyond.

SPEAKER_00 9:10

Yeah, absolutely. I mean that the ball he hit out on Sunday, what was it like middle or like high in the it wasn't even in the zone. He hit out like incredible ball player. And I think you know, at to that point, at least he was like one for his last 20 or something. Mistake me if I'm wrong, but I think you're cool. Um, but like a young hitter like that, it's pretty easy for um a young hitter to fall in a slump right there, going one for 20, and it kind of speaks to how good of a ball player Mo is to be able to, you know, come in that game, one for his last 20 and to go two for four with one of the biggest at bats in that game. Uh, I think that really kind of speaks to the maturity level he's already grown to. And I'm I'm so excited for his bright future. But I think this is kind of similar to what we've discussed in the past about Michael Bush, is similar to last year, how Bush was getting platooned uh for lefties and with JT. But I I feel like this is a similar situation and similar argument to where Mo is a talented enough hater on to face both right and left-handed pitching no matter the circumstance in my eyes, and he's the type of guy that we're gonna wand up in in big spots come come July, September, October ball, you know.

SPEAKER_01 10:23

100%, 100%. And he's making a case for us to not go get a bat in July. Like, I don't think I don't think right now we need a bat in July. I mean, if you were to tell me after watching this team start seven or nine and be so abysmal offensively, to be probably in the first 36 games, the best offensive baseball. Yeah. After after a tail of 10 games.

SPEAKER_00 10:54

We're like near, I think we're leading the league in on base percentage, or like we we're top three, I know that for sure, but we're top three in nearly most offensive metrics right now, which is just an incredible stat. So if I mean if we were to go out and get a bat at the deadline, like what position or where do you even I don't think like what you said, I don't think we go out and get a bat because at what position would we even need a bat right now? I'm looking at the lineup one through nine, and I'm like, oh nine guys are contributing plus the bench. So everyone's doing their job right now. Even when you know Dan's be struggling a little bit or Pete's kind of gotten off to a slow start this start of the year, other guys in the lineup are picking up the slack.

SPEAKER_01 11:36

They're stepping up, like Michael Bush, for example, uh, had a big home run tonight when when guys were struggling. And even yesterday, like like you said earlier, Conforto stepping up for the team, ice cold, and and shooting the ball the other way, um for a walk-off homer. And that that's really what good team uh well, good teams do. Um you you see uh a Dodger ball club with guys like Pajas who who stepped up early for for them this year, um guys like Rojas, who's hit a big home run, probably the biggest home run in in Dodger history. Uh guys like that, and and that's what good teams do, and you you see it here on the north side with Conforto and Carson Kelly, guys that are unsung heroes, and again, finding ways to win. And it doesn't matter how, but they've done it the past three weeks, and it's it's really uh exciting. I I don't there's no other way to put it. There's no other way to put it. It's been exciting the past 36 games. I'm looking at uh a stat right now on Marquee Sports Network on the postgame. Cubs 13 in a row at Wrigley Field. Uh that ties the 2001 Cubs at 13 games. You want to take a guess at the longest Cubs home win streak? If you get this, uh I'll give you uh $100.

SPEAKER_00 13:18

Longest Cubs home game win streak? Give me like uh 19 games.

SPEAKER_01 13:25

Oh it's 18 games. You want to take a guess uh take a stab wanna take a stab at the year?

SPEAKER_00 13:31

2003?

SPEAKER_01 13:34

No, not even close. That'd be 1935 with Jack Anson Hollow.

SPEAKER_00 13:39

Oh yeah, should've should have known, should have known.

SPEAKER_01 13:42

Or like uh the three Stooges, Moe, Larry, and Curly uh playing for the Cowboys.

SPEAKER_00 13:47

Uh the Plumbers.

SPEAKER_01 13:48

Uh yeah, literally uh Bob Cozy was in the league in the NBA at that time.

SPEAKER_00 13:54

Yeah, maybe Will too.

SPEAKER_01 13:57

Yeah, seriously. Um let's kind of look ahead for the rest of the week if you want to, unless you want to talk a little bit more about this game. But moving ahead, you got Ray tomorrow for game three, uh up against Brady Singer, who hasn't been good as of late. Um and then Thursday the matinee, showed going up against Rhett Lower who got absolutely dismantled on Sunday, or what was that, Saturday? Saturday or Sunday. He got absolutely uh by by the Pirates. Um you got a real opportunity here, Sam, to not only win the series, but you want to get greedy and bring out the Brooms once again. Um, you know, these pitching matchups are definitely in our favor.

SPEAKER_00 14:54

Yeah, and they have been all all series. I mean, the one thing I do want to say about this Reds team is I feel like they're one a little top heavy in their lineup. I feel like they're the bottom of the order guys who really don't concern me. I know Cabrian Hayes went yard yesterday, but he's below one a buck 20 right now on the year. Um, their bottom of the lineup really doesn't concern me. Their pitching staff doesn't really concern me. I know Abbott had a great showing today from and they're most importantly, the back end of the bullpen doesn't concern me as well. And we saw, I mean, Emilio Pagan got carted off tonight. Obviously, you hate to see that. Never good for the game. That was crazy, by the way.

SPEAKER_01 15:34

What a he looked like he got looked like he got uh assassinated.

SPEAKER_00 15:39

Yeah, I mean, the left hand he probably popped.

SPEAKER_01 15:42

I I've been there myself, so oh man, that that was if if you weren't there, uh I can tell this story briefly. Sam was in a softball league with us two seasons ago, decided to run a ball down, and and his hammy absolutely blew into pieces. Uh off the bones. Um, but go ahead, keep keep keep it going. Sorry, I didn't.

SPEAKER_00 16:13

Yeah, and I mean slight intermission, but I was just saying, I um one, the the bottom of the order of this Reds lineup doesn't really concern me. And two, the pitching staff and bullpen is also like for me, subpar, at least. I mean, we're getting to their bullpen all series now, and we have been dating back to last year, so I'm pretty confident in these remaining two games. Obviously, uh 120 start. Well, if we have a 120 start time um tomorrow, or is it the same time tomorrow? Uh Thursday's 120. So I mean, I I like our I like our odds for these next two. I think it the pitching matchups are in our favor, and I I absolutely playing a 13-game win streak at home is is gonna play in our favor as well. Nothing like playing behind the Wrigley Faithful.

SPEAKER_01 17:05

For sure. Um, it it was I mean, these past two nights, the the Wrigley crowd has been up um and active and loud. I mean, the the these fans were up in the seventh inning like it was a playoff game. You don't see that anywhere else, folks. You don't the only place you see it, don't the only place you see it is in the NFL. Um but i i in the MLB, this is the only the only spot that that does something like that.

SPEAKER_00 17:38

Um Joe, I try to tell my friends this, and I try to tell my friends this here in Saint in St. Louis, all my boys. Um, there's quite literally nothing like a uh a Cubs game in the middle of the springtime when the boys are buzzing like we are right now because it it feels like an October atmosphere. And you don't get that anywhere else. Credit to what you said. Because right now, if I were to go to a Cardinals game, which they're in second place, it kind of looks like a solid team right now. I mean, give it a month, they don't really have pitching, but that's besides the point. You go to a Cardinals game right now, they're they're they're they're playing good ball right now, but you're you're gonna see three-fourths of that stadium empty. I mean, there is truly nothing like it when the Cubs are buzzing in May. And uh this team just got me fired up right now. Um we're we're gonna continue to play good baseball. This lineup's built for October. This team's built for October. Um yeah, I I mean I could go on and on, Joe.

SPEAKER_01 18:34

Um, I mean there's not much else to there's not much else to say, Sam. I mean, it's just been an exciting three weeks. Um, but just I mean, we're gonna record on Sunday for Monday. Um, just looking ahead a little bit, three games against Texas um this weekend. Not really sure the probables are. Quick look at the standings as I'm looking on Marquis. Cubs are five up on Milwaukee early standings check. Uh now move four up on Cincinnati. I don't think it's worth mentioning St. Louis uh just because they they'll fall off. Um but is there anything else that you want to talk about before we move on to our last brief segment?

SPEAKER_00 19:23

Yeah, there's there's actually one thing I do. Um you want to go ahead and take a guess who leads the Cubs lineup in barrel percentage.

SPEAKER_01 19:35

Barrel percentage. Um god. I mean, I I think Nico's a safe answer, but that makes me think that it's not Nico. I'm gonna go, I'm gonna go Ian Hap.

SPEAKER_00 19:49

Hey, Ian Hap is correct. He's leading the Cubs in barrel percentage at 14.8%. Pretty wild, isn't it?

SPEAKER_01 19:58

Okay, okay, yeah. He's looked he's looked great from the right side um this so far this year, which is a very, very great side. I think he has as many homers from the left s from the left or from the right side as much as he does from the left side. Um yeah, he's been great. He's been great. He's exceeded the expectations so far this year in kind of his last dance, um barring an extension, which I don't think will come. Um, but yeah, he's been great. He's been great.

SPEAKER_00 20:32

One he just extended his on-based streak tonight to 26 games.

SPEAKER_01 20:37

Wow. Wow.

SPEAKER_00 20:39

That's uh so I mean that's that's pretty dang good stuff right there from me.

SPEAKER_01 20:43

So that's noteworthy.

SPEAKER_00 20:45

Um 850 as well. I mean, the slug's there, the the whiff rate's still a little up there, but yeah, I'll I'll trade that for slug. Right.

SPEAKER_01 20:56

Um before we get out of here, I know kind of kind of a shorter show today. We're recording at 10 o'clock at night. Gotta get to sleep. Um Hawks today, real quick. The Hawks got the the draft lottery was today. Hawks got the fourth overall pick. I I know Sam isn't really you know the hockey extraordinary as I am, but I I could talk about this briefly. Toronto gets the first overall pick, which is from the from the stanchions. Uh didn't expect that to happen today. Um kind of a disappointing night for the Hawks. I kind of wanted a top three pick at least. Uh, ended up with four. Will will the Hawks make a move this summer to make this team better, get a top six forward via trade? I don't know. Um Conor McDavid has a European. His deal and a trade is definitely a possibility for him. Will the Hawks put all their chips in and risk a lot of their future with trading a lot of their first round picks to get a guy like McTavid? I think he's worth it, especially with you know, you're only gonna have Connor Bedard for so long. Um, we'll see what they do with the fourth overall pick. They could trade it. I wouldn't be surprised with with the weak free agency class this this upcoming year, but you know, just talking about it briefly. Time to make a move, time to make a splash. Talked about it today with one of my buddies. It's time, it's time. Alright, they've been at the bottom of the barrel the past five years. It's time to make a move in in free agency, get it, get a decent forward, get a solid defenseman, and it's time to make a trade for a top six guy and and make a move that that's actually impactful, unlike assigning like Nick Felino. Okay, it's time. It's time. I'm gonna say once more, it's time. Um, anything, Sam, before we get out of here. Um I I do have some I do have I do have some show news that I don't think you've heard. Um, this is kind of breaking news to you as well. Um Nicholas Diaz, shout out Nick. Gonna be making us a theme song for next episode on Sunday. Looking forward to that. I he doesn't need any any introduction, any help with this theme song. It's all him. It's all him, and he was willing to do it with open arms. So I'm excited personally to hear what what that looks like.

SPEAKER_00 23:54

Man, shout out Mr. Diaz. Let's go.

SPEAKER_01 23:57

It could be interesting. It could be interesting. Um but but this podcast in itself is interesting. So um, any closing remarks before we get out of here?

SPEAKER_00 24:11

Um, yeah, no. Um cubbies are buzzing. Uh, we'll get back on the bears talk soon. There's kind of obviously after the draft right now, it's a little bit of hiatus little downtime, but the boys have gotten back into the building as of late. So good to see Kobe Bryant in the Bears uni. Good to see Rome, Lou, uh Colson back out there. The boys are hitting it hard already with Coach Ben Johnson. So good to see him back out there. And I'm sure we're gonna get some news here as rookie minicamp starts up in the next few weeks, and OTA is following that. Um, so you know, stay tuned with us. Uh, we're gonna take you through all the biggest and latest news within the Bears and obviously continue to cover this electric Cubs season. Um, that's all I got from my angel.

SPEAKER_01 24:58

Yeah, uh schedule schedule comes out May 18th for for the team on the lakefront. Um, so we'll we'll get that news as soon as as soon as we find out. Uh, that'll do it for episode five. Can't believe it's been five episodes already of the Shy City Den. We'll be back posting on Monday uh recording Sunday recapping the the Rangers Cubs series and a whole lot more for Joey Glickman. That is Sam Van Cleave. Thank you for listening, shy City Den, episode five. Thanks.