The North Side Baseball Podcast

Shota Imanaga accepted the qualifying offer to return to the Chicago Cubs. What does it mean for the rotation and could Chicago still go big game hunting for another arm?

Let's talk Cubs offseason! Will Shota Imanaga take his qualifying offer? Odds are, Kyle Tucker will be elsewhere in 2026, so where might Chicago go big game hunting in free agency? Could Dylan Cease be an option?

Mitch and Jason break down the Cubs' heartbreaking Game 5 loss in the NLDS.

Matthew Boyd and the Cubs dominated the Brewers in the final NLDS game at Wrigley Field. Mitch and Jason talk about the Cubs' performance and what it will look like to head back to Milwaukee for game five.

Mitch and Jason break down the Cubs' game three win against the Brewers. It turns out that the Cubs can also score multiple runs in the first and win a baseball game!

The Cubs (again) jumped out to an early lead against the Brewers, and (again) gave up the lead in the bottom of the first. With their backs now against the wall, the team returns to Chicago and Wrigley Field for game three.

Craig Counsell and the Cubs were roughed up from the get-go in the first game of the National League Divisional Series against the Brewers. While Matthew Boyd and Michael Soroka struggled, Aaron Civale pitched important innings to keep the Cubs bullpen fresh for later in the series.

Mitch and Jason break down the winner-take-all game three against the Padres, and look forward to the Brewers series, which starts in Milwaukee on Saturday.

Mitch, Jason, and Brock talk about the Cubs being shut out against Dylan Cease and the Padres, forcing an elimination game three on Thursday at Wrigley Field.

Mitch and Jason are joined by Brock Beauchamp as they break down the Cubs' crucial game one win against the Padres.

Kyle Tucker is back in Chicago, and Jed Hoyer said Tuesday the hope is to have him for a couple of regular-season games before the playoffs. Where's your concern level with Tucker? Should Daniel Palencia take over as closer upon returning? Are the Cubs and Padres on a collision course?

Nico Hoerner has been an underrated star for the Cubs all season. How valuable will he be come postseason time? Who should the Cubs' number two starter in the playoffs be? Does Michael Soroka have a role in the bullpen when the postseason begins?

With Daniel Palencia on the shelf and it being unknown if he'll be back for the postseason, who steps up in the Cubs' bullpen? What's the data say about the year Carson Kelly has had?

What do the additions of Carlos Santana and Aaron Civale do for the Cubs? Will either make the postseason roster? What's the data saying about Pete Crow-Armstrong? Let's look at the playoff picture!

Cade Horton continues to dazzle on the bump for the Cubs. Is Kyle Tucker waking up? The schedule remains light for Chicago moving ahead. Can they capitalize?

Some of the critical pieces of the lineup for Craig Counsell have been slumping. Who is the most concerning of the bunch and the least concerning? Is the rotation sustainable for a postseason run? Let's talk Matt Shaw!

Michael Soroka landed on the IL with a shoulder injury after just two innings with the Cubs. How worried should everyone be? Reaction to the trade deadline and what Jed Hoyer did and didn't do. What's going on with Kyle Tucker? Let's take a look at the playoff picture!

 Is Ian Happ a victim of bad luck at the plate this year, or are there deeper issues going on? Is Cade Horton figuring it out? Plenty of Cubs trade deadline talk too!

Craig Counsell has made a switch at the top of the lineup. What do we think about it? Ben Brown struggled again but what do the numbers say? The division race between Chicago and Milwaukee is just heating up.