Cubs Bow Out with a Sad Whimper

It's official: Chicago Cubs star Pete Crow-Armstrong has won the 2026 National League MVP award! Unanimously! He beat out Shohei Ohtani in what became a lopsided race towards the end of the season. Alex breaks down the numbers and discusses how we evolved into being an elite MLB hitter. Key Topics: Pete Crow-Armstrong, PCA, National League, MVP, Shohei Ohtani, MLB, Chicago Cubs, Craig Counsell, John Mallee, Alex Bregman PCA wins NL MVP PCA has a unique place in baseball PCA joins the likes of Gabby Hartnett, Ernie Banks, Ron Santo, Ryne Sandberg, Andre Dawson, Sammy Sosa, Kris Bryant, and others Much of his growth is owed to his teammates and coaches Evolving from a struggling hitter to an elite slugger How he changed his stance and approach The Cubs will have PCA for a while to help entertain and bring joy Find Alex Patt: ChiCitySports.com | Bill Swerski Sports Talk Chicago | @chifanpatt2 on Twitter(X) Subscribe to Bleav in Cubs on Apple Podcasts / Spotify / TuneIn / iHeart Radio / Amazon Music Bleav in Cubs is brought to you by Kalshi Prediction Market for Sports, News, Politics, and More! Sign up today using code: BLEAV Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Looking back on some of the 2026 Chicago Cubs' best moments, Alex puts together a list of his top 10 wins of the season. Also discussed is Pete Crow-Armstrong winning both the Rawlings Gold and Platinum Glove Awards. All of this and more on Bleav in Cubs, presented by Kalshi - Prediction Market for Sports, News, Politics, and More! Sign up at Kalshi today using code BLEAV. Key Topics: Chicago Cubs, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Rawlings Gold Glove, Rawlings Platinum Glove, 2026 Cubs, Cubs Walkoffs, Cubs Win, Seiya Suzuki, Alex Bregman, Michael Conforto, Michael Busch, Jordan Wicks, Dansby Swanson, Wrigley Field, Crosstown Series, 2026 MLB Season Pete Crow-Armstrong and Alex Bregman win Gold Glove Cubs win team Gold Glove PCA wins Platinum Glove Chicago Cubs Top 10 wins of the 2026 season Twitter (X) poll helps make list Find Alex Patt: ChiCitySports.com | Bill Swerski Sports Talk Chicago | @chifanpatt2 on Twitter(X) Subscribe to Bleav in Cubs on Apple Podcasts / Spotify / TuneIn / iHeart Radio / Amazon Music Bleav in Cubs is brought to you by Kalshi Prediction Market for Sports, News, Politics, and More! Sign up today using code: BLEAV Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Reports and rumors are already swirling around baseball's biggest free agent, Tarik Skubal. Yes, the Chicago Cubs and their fans would love to have Skubal, as MLB insider Jeff Passan put it. However, the chances of landing the former Tigers and Dodgers ace seem pretty low...to say the least. Key Topics: Chicago Cubs, Tarik Skubal, MLB lockout, MLB rumors, MLB free agents, MLB CBA Ace pitcher Tarik Skubal is the biggest name on the free agent market Jeff Passan reports the Dodgers and Mets are the favorites to land Skubal (shocker) Skubal could sign before the potential lockout next month when the CBA expires The Chicago Cubs would "love" to have Skubal, but probably will not be able to afford the $300+ million he will likely command Cubs fans are not surprised to hear Passan's reports Should the Cubs put all their eggs in one basket? Options like Michael King or Sonny Gray feel more likely Passan reports new proposed salary cap floor and ceilings by MLB Find Alex Patt: ChiCitySports.com | Bill Swerski Sports Talk Chicago | @chifanpatt2 on Twitter(X) -Subscribe to Bleav in Cubs on Apple Podcasts / Spotify / TuneIn / iHeart Radio / Amazon Music -Visit Bleav Network: bleav.com Bleav in Cubs is brought to you by Kalshi Prediction Market for Sports, News, Politics, and More! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Alex breaks down the Chicago Cubs players who have so far declared free agency. Several questions arise on which of the starting pitchers, Clay Holmes, Kevin Gausman, Shota Imanaga, David Peterson, and/or Matthew Boyd should return with how thin the rotation is. Obviously, there is the matter of Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki, who have been discussed on a previous episode. Key Topics: Chicago Cubs, MLB Free Agents, Clay Holmes, Kevin Gausman, Matthew Boyd, David Peterson, Carson Kelly, Shota Imanaga, Ian Happ, Seiya Suzuki, Tyrone Taylor, Colin Rea, Jacob Webb Episode Breakdown A handful of Cubs have officially declared free agency Clay Holmes makes sense to re-sign Should Kevin Gausman be brought back? Carson Kelly says goodbye on Instagram Shota Imanaga and Matthew Boyd served well, but their time in Chicago is probably up Bench/platoon options like Michael Conforto and Tyrone Taylor are free agents Several players have option decisions, including Colin Rea, Jacob Webb, Caleb Theilbar, and Hunter Harvey Find Alex Patt: ChiCitySports.com | Bill Swerski Sports Talk Chicago | @chifanpatt2 on Twitter(X) -Subscribe to Bleav in Cubs on Apple Podcasts / Spotify -Visit Bleav Network: bleav.com Bleav is brought to you by FanDuel. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Must be 21 or older to participate. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Key Topics: Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee Brewers, Craig Counsell, MLB, MLB lockout, MLB offseason Episode Breakdown The 2026 MLB season is over, and the Milwaukee Brewers have won it all Uncertainty as a potential lockout looms Our beloved Chicago Cubs have a ways to go to catch those dang Brewers We took their manager, and yet The Cubs don't currently have much of a rotation Should Jed Hoyer and company go all out in the offseason? Find Alex Patt: ChiCitySports.com | Bill Swerski Sports Talk Chicago | @chifanpatt2 on Twitter(X) -Subscribe to Bleav in Cubs on Apple Podcasts / Spotify -Visit Bleav Network: bleav.com Bleav is brought to you by FanDuel. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Must be 21 or older to participate. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Cubs' pitching staff has been consistently among the lowest in terms of average fastball velocity Other teams are finding ways to feature power arms up and down the staff Last season, the Cubs tried to add more velocity. What went wrong? There is hope that internal changes within the Cubs organization can help solve the issue Fielding Bible Awards have come out, and Pete-Crow Armstrong is on the list PCA is supporting Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears Find Alex Patt: ChiCitySports.com | Bill Swerski Sports Talk Chicago | @chifanpatt2 on Twitter(X) Bleav in Cubs is part of the Bleav Podcast Network. Subscribe on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Must be 21 or older to participate. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

One last look at the 2026 Chicago Cubs season How does one define "failure" in the context of baseball? The Cubs did not reach the ultimate goal Despite not winning the World Series, they accomplished a lot individually. Does that mean anything? Did Pete Crow-Armstrong or Alex Bregman's efforts save the season from failure? Find Alex Patt: ChiCitySports.com | Bill Swerski Sports Talk Chicago | @chifanpatt2 on Twitter(X) Bleav in Cubs is part of the Bleav Podcast Network. Subscribe on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Must be 21 or older to participate. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Seiya Suzuki and Ian Happ are set to be free agents The qualifying offer can be in play, but unlikely to be picked up Ian Happ struggled from the right side, and strikeouts increased, but he still hit for power and walked Seiya Suzuki has his quirks but continued to produce, including a very good defensive performance Happ could take a hometown discount Suzuki could command money the Cubs don't want to get into a bidding war with Find Alex Patt: ChiCitySports.com | Bill Swerski Sports Talk Chicago | @chifanpatt2 on Twitter(X) Bleav in Cubs is part of the Bleav Podcast Network. Subscribe on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Must be 21 or older to participate. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Cubs have played 10 seasons since winning the World Series in 2016 A promising era did not quite live up to expectations The team has averaged roughly 85 wins since 2016 Why did the Cubs underachieve after winning it all? Can we look to a brighter future? Find Alex Patt: ChiCitySports.com | Bill Swerski Sports Talk Chicago | @chifanpatt2 on Twitter(X) Bleav in Cubs is part of the Bleav Podcast Network. Subscribe on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Must be 21 or older to participate. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Cubs swept by the Padres in San Diego The vibes were never there Offense was completely M.I.A. - PCA, Bregman, Happ, Swanson, Busch, all silent Everything accomplished in the regular season feels like it didn't matter now Pitching woes struck again This era of Cubs baseball is good, but not good enough What's next? Does this team have a future? Find Alex Patt: ChiCitySports.com | Bill Swerski Sports Talk Chicago | @chifanpatt2 on Twitter(X) Bleav in Cubs is part of the Bleav Podcast Network. Subscribe on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Must be 21 or older to participate. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.