Windy City Breakdown

Happy Friday the 13th! The Windy City Breakdown panel goes off on an entertaining tangent on superstitions and how they impact the sports world and athletes. Plus, Andy Martínez, Tony Andracki and Kyle Millinowisch react to Pete Crow-Armstrong's dominant season that ended in the NL MVP (among other accolades) and take a big-picture view on the superstar's place in Cubs history. Andracki also has a doozy of a trivia question related to Crow-Armstrong and the 2026 Cubs. The trio then delves into the Bears Bye week and share their thoughts on the season and how Ben Johnson and this 2026 team has lived up to expectations so far. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Chicago Cubs' 10-year anniversary of their World Series title is a perfect moment to recap that historic Fall Classic.  Tony Andracki and Scott Changnon, who covered that entire World Series, give a behind-the-scenes look of that historic Series and what it was like to be at all seven games. When did they know the Cubs could win it all? What was it like when the Cubs were down 3-1? What was the champagne celebration like? Scott and Tony give co-hosts Andy Martínez and Kyle Millinowisch a peek behind the curtain and why that was the pinnacle of their careers so far. The pair share never-before told stories of the World Series and the 2016 season overall. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Milwaukee Brewers are World Series champions, which should make the Chicago Cubs feel some type of way ... right? Andy Martínez, Tony Andracki and Kyle Millinowisch dissect the Brewers' championship and how it affects -- or should affect -- the Cubs moving forward. Does it change how we view the 2026 Cubs season? Will it have an impact on how Jed Hoyer and Co. conduct business this offseason? The panel analyzes the biggest takeaways from the playoffs and what those takeaways mean for the Cubs. Plus, each host provides their biggest offseason prediction for the Cubs' winter. On the Bears front, they swung big with the Jeffery Simmons trade to shore up the weakest area of the roster. What does that do to the team's Super Bowl chances and can the Cubs take some lessons from their city counterpart? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Bears put together another big statement victory Thursday night against the reigning AFC champion New England Patriots, including some gutsy calls and impressive leadership from Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams. With all this success over the last year-plus, where does Ben Johnson's approval rating sit with Bears fans and in the NFL in general? Andy Martínez, Tony Andracki and Kyle Millinowisch attempt to answer this on the latest Windy City Breakdown Podcast while also providing their top takeaways from the Bears victory and Williams' ascension into the "elite" realm of Bears quarterbacks. Plus, Luther Burden III's growth into a No. 1 receiver, Rome Odunze's relatively disappointing career to date and what are the Bears' chances of winning the NFC North? On the Cubs front, where do they rank among MLB's best teams? The panel debates, with wildly differing views. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Milwaukee Brewers could be staring down their first World Series championship ever as they have flipped the script on the powerhouse Los Angeles Dodgers. What does that mean for the Cubs? Could that actually mean ... good news ... for Cubs fans in a strange way? Andy Martínez, Tony Andracki and Kyle Millinowisch react to the MLB playoffs on the latest Windy City Breakdown Podcast, including how the Brewers are getting the job done by zigging while the rest of the league has zagged. Also, do we need to rethink everything we've learned about offense in Major League Baseball? Plus, was the Bears' loss to the Packers the worst defeat in the Ben Johnson era? How do they rebound from that, even with Caleb Williams potentially returning? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Cubs offense disappeared in the postseason for the second straight year. Is there anything to that? Is it just a product of playoff baseball? Or is there something the Cubs can tangibly point to and address in future seasons? Andy Martínez, Tony Andracki and Kyle Millinowisch examine this issue while also taking a look at the delta between the Cubs and Brewers and providing thoughts on how the North Siders can close that gap in the future. Plus, did Seiya Suzuki live up to expectations during his time with the Cubs? And is Ben Johnson already one of the best head coaches in Bears history? The crew also provides their predictions for Bears-Packers Week 5 and who will be the top fantasy performer on Chicago's squad. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The 2026 Cubs season ended in disappointment in a Wild Card sweep at the hands of the Padres in San Diego. President of baseball operations Jed Hoyer met with the media Friday afternoon, providing an honest assessment of the season and explaining how the Cubs "let one slip away." Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki react to Hoyer's comments while Kyle Millinowisch provides his thoughts and instant reaction in written form. What were the main takeaways from Hoyer's presser and what does it mean moving forward? And how did this compare to similar press conferences Hoyer and his predecessor, Theo Epstein, had in the past? Plus, Martínez and Andracki put a letter grade on the overall Cubs season and explain their rationale. The duo also discusses the one aspect of the year that hurts the most heading into the offseason. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

ESPN and Marquee Sports Network reporter Taylor McGregor joins the Windy City Breakdown Podcast to preview the Cubs-Padres NL Wild Card Series and chat about her career on the North Side of Chicago. McGregor and the WCB panel of Andy Martínez, Tony Andracki and Kyle Millinowisch each predict how the Wild Card Series might play out in San Diego, including their choices for X-factors on each team as well as potential MVPs. Plus, the group takes a look back at Pete Crow-Armstrong's historic season and how the Cubs got to this point in the year. And McGregor reflects on her seven seasons covering the Cubs before moving to ESPN in her new full-time role. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Chicago Cubs have clinched a playoff spot, but there is still much to be decided as far as seeding and opponent for the Wild Card Series goes. Kyle Millinowisch and Tony Andracki attempt to answer the most pressing questions surrounding this team, including: -What can we expect from Alex Bregman now that he has returned to the Cubs lineup? -How will the Cubs roll out their rotation and pitching staff for the Wild Card Series? -Will Kevin Gausman be healthy enough to pitch next week after suffering a shoulder injury? -What does Craig Counsell do with the bullpen in a shortened playoff series? -Who are the biggest X-factors in the lineup that need to step up for a slumping offense? -What's the latest with Justin Steele and will he make an impact on the postseason roster? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Chicago Cubs have less than a dozen games before the postseason -- so what should give fans optimism and what should cause them concern? The Windy City Breakdown analyzes the stretch run for the Cubs, then they discuss a big Week 1 win for the Bears.Tony Andracki, Kyle Millinowisch and Andy Martínez share why the Cubs should give you optimism for a deep run, then they discuss why you should be concern. The trio recap another incredible performance by Pete Crow-Armstrong in the series-opening win over the Braves, then offer some historical nuggets after the center fielder hit his 42nd home run of the season. Later in the pod, they recap the Bears historic, 59-37 win over the Panthers and why they're excited by the start of the season. The panel then discusses a controversial ranking for Caleb Williams after his incredible Week 1 performance.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.