Bleacher Bunch Network: A Chicago Cubs Podcast

Sara Sanchez joins the show from Miami and the World Baseball Classic! Plus a spin of the B-Clock, as the Cubs head into the final fortnight of Spring. Premium Content at http://www.patreon.com/bleacherbunch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Son Ranto Crew chop it up Cubs style on the first full day of the World Baseball Classic. More at http://www.patreon.com/sonranto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ian Happ might be the most confounding player on the Chicago Cubs. Every season he seems to produce the same profile: around 20–25 home runs, a strong on-base percentage, and a wRC+ comfortably above league average. Over the last four seasons he’s also quietly accumulated more than 13 WAR while playing nearly every day in left field. And yet, if you spend any time around Cubs Twitter or baseball message boards, you know the debate never really stops. Is Ian Happ actually a key piece of the lineup, or is he a player the Cubs should replace? In this episode of CubsPS+, I take a deep dive into Ian Happ’s performance over the last four seasons and try to put his production into context across Major League Baseball. I look at how Happ ranks among qualified MLB hitters, how he compares to other outfielders around the league, and where his offensive numbers stack up using metrics like wRC+, WAR, OPS, walk rate, and strikeout rate. I also dig into leverage splits and situational hitting to see whether the common criticism that Happ “isn’t clutch” actually holds up in the data. Along the way, I explore what a 3-WAR player really means in today’s game, how much that level of production typically costs on the open market, and why players with Happ’s statistical profile tend to show up on winning teams more often than fans might realize. I’m not arguing that Ian Happ is a superstar. He’s not. But when you zoom out and look at the consistency of his production, the numbers paint a much clearer picture of what he actually brings to the Cubs. Sometimes the most interesting players in baseball aren’t the obvious stars or the struggling role players. Sometimes they’re the ones who quietly produce year after year while the conversation around them never quite settles. That’s exactly what makes Ian Happ such a fascinating player to analyze. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Son Ranto Show discusses the first week of Cubs Spring Games, hatred from Dodgers and Sox Fans over PCA and Bleacher Jeff. And we spin the B-Clock! AD-FREE Premium Content http://www.patreon.com/bleacherbunch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sara Sanchez joins the Son Ranto Boyz to discuss the Cubs giveaway calendar and new slogan on the night before the first Spring Training game. Premium Content: http://www.patreon.com/bleacherbunch http://www.sonranto.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 114 marks a reset for CubsPS+ and a simple theme: stop waiting for perfect and start doing something. After a four-month break, I return to break down where the Chicago Cubs actually stand coming out of the offseason. This isn’t about hot takes or dramatic declarations — it’s about roster construction, identity, and what the Cubs’ moves (and non-moves) really signal. In this episode, I discuss: How to evaluate the Cubs’ offseason additions in context A realistic look at the starting rotation and what it can (and can’t) be Whether the Cubs are competing, bridging, or still recalibrating The difference between incremental improvement and true direction Why “doing something” matters — even when it’s not flashy This is a thoughtful, process-driven look at the 2025 Chicago Cubs — where they are, what they’ve done, and what it might mean going forward. CubsPS+ is part of Bleacher Bunch Productions on the Fans First Sports Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Batteries are in Cubs Camp getting into the best shapes of their lives. More at http://www.patreon.com/bleacherbunch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is the intro to the new season of Baseball Rabbithole in which Cotton tries to figure out how to calculate WAR. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lyle, Michael, and Danny shoot the breeze about the Cubs a week before Pitchers and Catcher report. Exclusive Content: http://www.patreon.com/sonranto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tim Sheridan, the "Voice of Spring" joins us to talk about his long career in Mesa as the PA announcer, and his hometown of Minneapolis. Plus, we talk about Jed talking. More at http://www'patreon.com/bleacherbunch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lou Cella, the sculptor of the Cubs statues at Wrigley, joins us for an incredible conversation about art and Cubs fandom. Plus we recap Cubs Con with Mike Waller of Cubs PS Plus. Premium Content at http://www.patreon.com/bleacherbunch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Cubs are fixed as veteran Alex Bregman signs with the North Siders. Plus we spin the B-Clock and get a visit from Fly the W's Crawly! more at http://www.patreon.com/bleacherbunch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Cubs are putting together their 2026 team as the Son Ranto crew reassembles for our 14th season of Cubs fan derailment. Exclusive content: http://www.patreon.com/bleacherbunch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's the 2025 Ranter Cubsmas Carol Special! Featuring all your favorite Ranters and hosts with Cubs related holiday mayhem! More at http://www.patreon.com/bleacherbunch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Cubs do nothing at the Winter Meetings and Danny returns from Mexico a Venados fan. Plus we give presents to out favorite Cubs players. Join our club! http://www.patreon.com/bleacherbunch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sara, Mike, and Cotton talk deep into the night about Cubs signings, analytics, CBA, and what it truly means to be a Cubs fan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the final inning of Game 3, Cotton goes down the Rabbithole on World Series MVPs and finds some interesting stories and a ton of Dodgers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hola de Mexico! Some thoughts from a baseball town across the border. Ad-Free Access at http://www.patreon.com/bleacherbunch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Award season is over and Danny Rockett wins Most Valuable Podcaster as he rocks out a solo show talking all MLB and Cubs news. More at http://www.patreon.com/bleacherbunch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is Shōta gone? Is Tucker gone? Is Colin Rea the Cubs big off season signing? We hope not! Plus, Cubs trivia! More at http://www.patreon.com/bleacherbunch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Cubs aren't gonna do a damn thing. So...Go Blue Jays? More at http://www.patreon.com/bleacherbunch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cotton goes down the Rabbithole on baseball slang to find out the origins of the terms we already know and to find some new slang he didn't know. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cubs are the Temu Dodgers as the real Dodgers prepare to face the Toronto Blue Jays and their hun homer jacket. Plus, what it feels like on the ground in occupied Chicago. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brewers Fans and Comedian Eric Wielo comes on to Fly the L as we discuss Brewers ICE Karen. More at http://www.patreon.com/bleacherbunch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eric Wielo joins Sara and Danny! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Survive. Advance. Find a way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cotton breaks down how Pat Murphy beat Craig Counsell at Cheesehead Chess. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cubs lose Bigly. Early and ad-free content at http://www.patreon.com/bleacherbunch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A star studded cast of characters joins the Bleacher Bunch to chop it up! Featuring, Friar Phil, Eric Wielo, Billy Devore, Crawly, Danny Rockett and Michael Cotton. Exclusive content at http://www.patreon.com/sonranto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sampler Cubs Pod for the post-season. The Cubs survive and advance and will play Milwaukee Saturday in Wrigley North! October baseball is the very best! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you are listening to this and you are not a Patreon Supporter, this is the Cubs Pod, which is a daily recap of the games. Sometimes, especially when the Cubs do something really bad, Cotton gets angry and rants for way to long. He's kind of like that old dog that sometimes bites people. You know you should probably get rid of him, but he's been with you for so long that you are willing to just deal with it sometimes. Also, he generally bites the people who deserve to be bitten. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cubs Win Game 1 over the Padres! Avenge 1984! Ad-Free and Exclusive Content at http://www.patreon.com/bleacherbunch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Padres enthusiast Friar Phil and Reds comedian podcaster Billy Devore join Sara, Michael and Danny to preview the Cubs-Padres series and the rest of the playoff picture. Exclusive content at http://www.patreon.com/bleacherbunch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cotton goes down the rabbithole on some of the unassailable records in baseball. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Live from Ballhawk Corner! It's the Burning of the Ball! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Live from Binski's Bar in Cincinnati! It's Billy Devore and Chris Weir from The New Nasty Boys with guests Mike Waller from Cubs PS+ and Danny Rockett and Michael Cotton from The Son Ranto Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What a night! My very first live CubsPS+ show just so happened to line up with the Cubs clinching a postseason berth in Pittsburgh. You couldn’t script it better unless you’re Craig Counsell drawing up a getaway day lineup. Here’s what went down: Cubs Clinch & Celebrate 🥂– The Cubs locked it up in Pittsburgh, which feels poetic since they’ve been breaking Pirates’ hearts since the ’80s.– Ian Happ caught the clincher, then gave a clubhouse speech—who says he isn’t a leader?– Craig Counsell even cracked a smile. Yes, really. Someone check if he sprained a facial muscle. Cody & I Relive Our First Clinch Memories 📼– Cody was all about Sosa in ’98 but truly “got it” in 2003.– Me? 1984 and 1989—both in Pittsburgh, so this felt like baseball déjà vu with better lighting. The Vibes vs. The Grumps 🙃– Twitter may complain about champagne showers, but come on—162 games, and you make the postseason? You celebrate.– Cody’s advice: “Hammer the Reds tomorrow, because the Cubs will be hungover.” 🍻 October Roster Math 🔢– Cade Horton is basically 2015 Jake Arrieta reincarnated. Game 1? Pencil him in.– Matthew Boyd might just need a juice cleanse, a nap, and maybe a time machine to 2019.– Taillon on the mound at Wrigley in October? Stranger things have happened…like the Cubs clinching without a full-scale collapse. Young Cubs, Old Cubs, All the Cubs 🐻– PCA is finding his swagger again.– Moisés Ballesteros is hitting bombs like he thinks he’s auditioning for Rizzo’s job—while Rizzo himself returned to Wrigley to nearly catch one of those bombs in the bleachers.– Nico Horner = steady. Ian Happ = streaky in the best possible way. Bonus Fireball Clause 🔥🥃– Cody promised the bleacher faithful he won’t say no to a Fireball shot next weekend. Hold him to it. This episode had it all: clinching euphoria, live banter, roster debates, Anthony Rizzo nostalgia, and plenty of laughs. The Cubs are headed to October, Cody’s Wrigleyville Forever pod is rolling, and CubsPS+ is officially live. Episode takeaway: Baseball is fun again. Drink the champagne, hammer the Reds, and let’s ride. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cubs Clinch! Danny and Mike celebrate and preview the rest of the season and the playoff picture. Exclusive content at http://www.patreon.com/bleacherbunch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anthony Rizzo was back at Wrigley! But this time in the Bleachers watching the Cubs blow a game. Then it's off to Pittsburgh where the Cubs coast towards the post-season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Johnny O has a Bleacher Bum Bachelor party, Ronnie Woo Woo returns to Wrigley, followed by Anthony Rizzo. All while the Cubs play .500 baseball. More at http://www.patreon.com/bleacherbunch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Cubs look anemic with their 40 year old first base triple platoon as they limp down the home stretch. But Sara and Danny are back to discuss it all! Join our Patreon for exclusive content!⁠http://www.patreon.com/bleacherbunch⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Crawly joins to talk about his Fly the W interview with Cubs Superfan Ronnie Woo Woo. Then Sara Sanchez , Mike Waller, and Danny Rockett talk about...you know...the Cubs... More at http://www.patreon.com/bleacherbunch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Son Ranto Show Pregames the Cubs and Braves outside of Wrigley Field with Braves Super Fan Unkzuna! Exclusive Bleacher bunch Content at http://www.patreon.com/bleacherbunch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cotton goes down the rabbitholes to learn about how MLB ended up with the minor league system. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apparently, our podcast service never pushed this out despite it being scheduled for July 31st, 2025. Here it is now. Cotton takes you down a rabbithole about numbers on baseball jerseys. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cubs get swept in San Fran after sweeping Anaheim. Does this team even know who it is? More at http://www.patreon.com/bleacherbunch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Cubs of Occupied Chicago sweep the Angels and then head to San Francisco. More at http://www.patreon.com/bleacherbunch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Cubs won the series against the Brewers at Wrigley, but why doesn't it feel that way? More at http//www.patreon.com/bleacherbunch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Comedian and Brewers fan Eric Wielo discusses Johnny Manziel's interview with Anthony Rizzo and the Cubs-Brewers 5 game series beginning at Wrigley. More at http://www.patreon.com/bleacherbunch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Danny Rockett does a solo B-Clock show and riffs on your complaints as he spins the wheel of Cubs Fan Grievances. More at http://www.patreon.com/bleacherbunch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices