Wrigleyville Nation's Podcast - Chicago Cubs Discussion, News, & More · wrigleyvillenation.com

Ep 390 - Guest: James Neveau, Tucker & Palencia Injured, Bullpen & Offensive Struggles, & More

·1 hr 10 min·4 clips

Washington was 0-72 when trailing by multiple runs in the ninth, then won after Palencia’s blown save.

1. Wrigleyville Nation podcast episode 390 focuses on the Cubs’ 3-3 week, the injuries to Kyle Tucker and Danny Palencia, and an ESPN core ranking that placed Chicago 17th. 2. Jeremy Diemer hosts with Pat, and guest James Neveau from NBC Chicago adds outside coverage and roster context. 3. The episode asks whether the Cubs’ current record hides a weak long-term core and shallow pitching depth. 4. The week opened with a comeback win over Atlanta, when Pete Crow-Armstrong laid down an 0-2 bunt with two outs and Dansby Swanson followed with extra-base hits. 5. The discussion then turned to Kyle Tucker leaving after a three-run home run with calf tightness and sitting out the rest of the week. 6. Jeremy and Pat said the Cubs seemed reluctant to use the injured-list route and instead kept carrying Carlos Santana and Justin Turner. 7. Cade Horton’s five no-hit innings against Washington became the center of the Wednesday game, along with the choice to pull him after 75 pitches. 8. Ben Brown returned for a second inning, and the hosts blamed that decision for the game slipping into a 5-1 loss. 9. James Neveau tied that loss to the Cubs’ lack of trade-deadline depth and the offense going quiet again after the first two wins. 10. Matthew Boyd’s seven-inning outing in the Saturday game became another example of strong pitching with minimal run support, even though he allowed only two runs. 11. The hosts pointed out Boyd’s pickoff move twice in that game and said Pat Hughes clearly enjoys calling those outs on the radio. 12. PCA’s foul ball off his leg on Saturday was mentioned as a scare, but the x-rays came back negative. 13. Danny Palencia then blew the save against Washington after the Nationals entered the ninth inning with a 0-72 record when trailing by multiple runs. 14. Craig Counsell said Palencia felt tightness in his posterior right shoulder, which raised questions about the bullpen for the stretch run. 15. James Neveau said Brad Keller may be the only reliable high-leverage option if Palencia misses time. 16. The conversation about the ESPN ranking highlighted that Milwaukee, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, and St. Louis all sit in different core positions, while the Cubs lack any elite or plus pitchers. 17. The tone stayed conversational and analytical, with Jeremy, Pat, and James Neveau moving between game reactions, roster speculation, and broader organizational criticism. 18. The format mixed live-game recap, guest analysis, and a long digression into the Cubs’ rebuild and free-agent strategy. 19. Listeners who follow Cubs roster construction, bullpen usage, and prospect development. 20. Listeners wanting only game scores and no offseason context.

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