Brett and Michael are back for the fifty-fourth episode of the Bleacher Nation Cubs Podcast (Presented by Ankin Law)! With Opening Day just one week away—set for Wrigley Field against the Nationals—the excitement is building as the Cubs wrap up Spring Training.

The guys break down a pitching staff that has looked sharp throughout camp, highlighted by strong swing-and-miss stuff and encouraging early results. Cade Horton’s emergence is a major talking point, including his nasty change-up and him getting the Opening Day nod.

They also discuss how the Cubs’ defensive strength has played a key role this spring, allowing pitchers to attack the strike zone with confidence and trust the defense to handle balls in play. It’s a combination that could raise the overall ceiling of the staff if it carries into the regular season.

Overall, Brett and Michael share their optimism about where the team stands heading into the year, with a rotation that feels both top-heavy and deep, and a roster that looks ready to compete right out of the gate.

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Brett and Michael are back for Episode 53 of the Bleacher Nation Cubs Podcast (Presented by Ankin Law)! With the regular season fast approaching, the guys dive into a mix of Cubs news and broader baseball storylines, starting with the excitement surrounding the World Baseball Classic. The Cubs had a presence in the tournament as well, with pitcher Matthew Boyd appearing for Team USA before departing early to return to Cubs camp and continue preparing for the season. Shortly after that move, the Cubs announced Boyd will be their Opening Day starter, a decision that sparks discussion about how much the Opening Day designation really matters and why the matchup might actually make a lot of sense.

The guys also dig into some of the roster experimentation happening in Spring Training. The Cubs have been giving top prospect Matt Shaw reps all over the field—including first base—as they explore whether he can truly become a multi-position weapon. At the same time, Moisés Ballesteros has been getting significant time behind the plate, raising questions about how the Cubs might deploy their catching depth and lineup flexibility once the games start to count.

A special thank you to Ankin Law for sponsoring this podcast!
Visit Ankin Law's Website ➡️ ankinlaw.com

Read more Cubs coverage ➡️ bleachernation.com

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Brett and Michael are back for the fifty-second episode of the Bleacher Nation Cubs Podcast (Presented by Ankin Law)! With Spring Training underway, baseball is officially back in the air, and the guys settle into the rhythms of camp and the early days of the preseason.

They talk about the World Baseball Classic, which continues to draw heavy interest around the league—including strong representation from the Cubs organization. The conversation touches on how teams and players balance tournament play with preparation for the MLB season, and what it means when elite pitchers try to maintain their routines during a mid-spring international event.

From there, the discussion opens up into a broader baseball conversation—what a hypothetical Team USA roster might look like over the course of a full MLB season, how talent concentration at that level would translate over 162 games, and how the sport continues to evolve.

The guys also react to recent comments from former Cubs manager Joe Maddon about advanced analytics—when they’re most useful, how managers can implement them effectively, and where the human element still matters most in decision-making.

With camp underway and the baseball calendar ramping up, it’s a wide-ranging conversation about the sport, the upcoming season, and everything that makes this time of year exciting.

A special thank you to Ankin Law for sponsoring this podcast!
Visit Ankin Law's Website ➡️ ankinlaw.com

Read more Cubs coverage ➡️ bleachernation.com

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