A relief-first Cubs check-in that turns one good week into a rotation problem.
The piece keeps its focus on relief first: a Cubs conversation that starts with a bleak Monday loss in Philadelphia and lands on a much better two-of-three finish.

Cubs therapy with roster-level context.
Cubbies Crib follows the Cubs through the season with a steady mix of game reaction, roster evaluation, and fan-level anxiety. The conversation moves from one series, injury, or player slump into bigger questions about depth, development, season chances, and what the front office should do next.
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Cubbies Crib is a Cubs conversation built around the week-to-week pressure of following one team closely. It has the feel of writers stepping away from the page and talking through what the games just did to everyone’s expectations. The show is casual, but it is not loose in the way generic fan chatter can be. Jordan Campbell and Jacob Meisner usually begin with the immediate series result, then widen the lens toward roster construction, player development, injuries, lineup production, and the front office choices waiting just offscreen. A bad April matters here. So does the reminder that it is still April. That tension gives the show its shape. One episode can wonder whether the Cubs are drifting toward doomsday after losses to Cleveland and a hard schedule ahead. Another can ask, with only half a grin, whether the Cubs are back after taking series from Tampa Bay and Philadelphia. The hosts spend time on the players who become emotional weather systems for Cubs fans: Nico after an extension, Matt Shaw at a crossroads, Matthew Boyd trying to stabilize the rotation, Shota Imanaga raising concern, Cade Horton’s absence changing the pitching picture, and Jamison Tyone giving the team needed innings. They also understand that Cubs fandom is partly about the setting. Opening Day at Wrigley, the neighborhood energy, and the familiar overreactions after one bad game all sit beside talk of whiff rates, rotation depth, offensive regression, and possible veteran additions such as Lucas Giolito. The show’s best moments often come when a domestic aside or a quick joke turns back into baseball logic. A story about assembling a credenza becomes a neat mirror for watching the Cubs dig an early hole, then find a way out. That is the register: everyday, specific, slightly anxious, and committed to seeing the full season rather than only the box score. Cubbies Crib fits fans who want the emotional truth of following the Cubs without losing the writerly habit of asking what each result changes.
Made for: Cubbies Crib is for Cubs fans who want regular, conversational reaction to series results, roster movement, player performance, and the mood around Wrigley. It especially fits listeners who enjoy fan emotion tempered by practical baseball context.
What sets it apart: The show’s edge is its blend of Cubbies Crib editorial familiarity and working-fan immediacy. It connects one game, one slump, or one injury to the larger season without sanding off the anxiety that makes Cubs talk feel real.
The official Cubbies Crib show, featuring Fansided writers Alex Patt and Adam McGinnis. We occasionally bring on special guests to discuss certain Cubs-related topics with us. Check out cubbiescrib.com/
Based on 4 episodes we listened to · September 2026
Cubbies Crib turns Cubs statistics, roster gaps and player histories into practical arguments about what the team should do next.
Cubbies Crib treats Cubs baseball as an ongoing argument about what the roster needs and what recent performances actually mean. Alex Patt and Adam McGinnis work through spring training, player confidence, labor negotiations, draft picks and farm-system implications in a…
Tuffy Rhodes gets his Opening Day flowers, and your Cubs nostalgia has to bring the numbers.
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Short reviews from the PlayNext desk, based on the episodes we processed.
A relief-first Cubs check-in that turns one good week into a rotation problem.
The piece keeps its focus on relief first: a Cubs conversation that starts with a bleak Monday loss in Philadelphia and lands on a much better two-of-three finish.
A steady Cubs check in built around the Darvish versus Hendricks opening day decision.
This Cubs discussion feels like an early season checkpoint. Scrimmages are already happening at Wrigley Field, most of the roster picture is set, and the unsettled pieces sit around the edges.
A practical Cubs rotation debate centered on Quintana's injury, bullpen depth, and the chance of a six-man rotation.
Alex Patt and Jake Meisner turn a Cubs rotation dilemma into a clear, grounded conversation, with Jose Quintana hurt and spring training 2.0 already sharpening the stakes.
A practical Cubs draft conversation that singles out Burl Caraway as a pitcher who could move quickly.
The episode starts with a messy week in baseball, then settles into a Cubs draft conversation that stays grounded in fit, farm system needs, and what the organization still lacks.
A loose Cubs conversation that turns labor news and one-year wonders into lively baseball talk.
This Cubs conversation starts with baseball labor talks, notes that the owners and players remain far apart, and then moves through a Twitter note before settling into one-year wonders.
A loose, fan-level Cubs spring check-in, with its strongest stretch built around Yu Darvish.
The episode uses spring training as a frame, treating the first games as a starting point rather than a final judgment. Alex Patt and Adam McGinnis move from the new Marquee launch to the familiar Comcast frustration, then settle into the smaller items worth tracking, including…

Daily Blue Jays therapy after every swing.

Mets panic, patience, and prospects.

Tech news with the patience removed.

Mets anxiety, translated into roster logic.

NHL chaos, argued quickly.

Fort Myers to Fenway, one swing at a time.
The Cubbies Crib host says the Cubs must spend on starting pitching to fix their 2027 rotation and contend in the National League Central.
The Milwaukee Brewers’ sweep of the Dodgers frames Jordan and Jake’s argument that Cubs resources have not produced Milwaukee’s consistent organizational success.
Jake and Jordan’s Cubbies Crib mailbag says Jed Hoyer and Craig Counsell are staying this offseason despite Cubs fans seeking leadership changes.
Jordan Campbell and Jacob Meisner open with the same feeling a lot of Cubs fans may have: the Cubs are back.
The hosts discuss the Chicago Cubs' near-sweep by the Pittsburgh Pirates, a dramatic comeback win, and a personal story about assembling furniture that parallels the team's struggles and resilience.
The hosts discuss the Chicago Cubs' recent performance, including winning 2 of 3 games against the Tampa Bay Rays, offensive improvements, and upcoming series against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The hosts discuss the Chicago Cubs' concerning early-season struggles, including offensive issues and a tough upcoming schedule, as they risk falling behind in the division race.
The hosts discuss the Chicago Cubs' recent series against the Angels, highlighting Matthew Boyd's strong pitching performance and the team's ability to capitalize on opportunities.
The hosts discuss the Chicago Cubs' disappointing opening series against the Washington Nationals, analyzing fan reactions and setting expectations for the season.
Hosts Jordan Campbell and Jake Meisner launch a new season of the Cubbies Crib podcast, discussing their expanded multimedia platform and recapping opening day vibes at Wrigley Field.
Hosts Alex Patt and Adam McGinnis discuss the Chicago Cubs' recent series and trade deadline moves in an emotional episode marking Alex's departure.
Hosts Alex Patt and Adam McGinnis discuss the Chicago Cubs' recent series against the Cardinals and the team's performance in the shortened 2020 season.
Alex Patt and Adam McGinnis discuss the Chicago Cubs' 9-2 start, upcoming series against the Royals and Cardinals, and the new extra inning rules.
Hosts Alex Patt and Adam McGinnis discuss the Chicago Cubs' early 2020 season performance, focusing on offense, starting rotation, and bullpen concerns.
Hosts preview the delayed MLB season, discussing the Cubs' outlook and the unusual circumstances of the 2020 season.
The episode checks in from Cubs scrimmages at Wrigley Field with the season about a week away.
Alex Patt fills in without Adam and brings Jake Meisner back to talk Cubs spring training 2.0.
Alex Patt and Adam McGinnis discuss the return of baseball with a 60-game season, rule changes, and concerns about the pandemic.
Alex Pett and Adam McGinnis finally get around to the Cubs draft.
The show opens with baseball labor talks and the distance between the two sides.
This episode features an interview with ESPN's Tim Kurkjian discussing Kerry Wood, conducted by site expert Jake Misener on a Chicago Cubs-focused podcast.
A solo episode discussing the wait for baseball's return and recent MLB news, with listener shout-outs.
Hosts Alex Patt and Adam McGinnis discuss the impact of COVID-19 on the Chicago Cubs and Wrigley Field, sharing personal reflections and news.
Hosts Alex Patt and Adam McGinnis reminisce with guest Brandon Bender about favorite regular season Chicago Cubs memories.
Hosts discuss the uncertainty of the 2020 MLB season due to the pandemic and share personal anecdotes about quarantine life.
Hosts discuss the cancellation of MLB opening day due to the pandemic and share memories of past opening days.
Hosts discuss the MLB shutdown due to COVID-19 and offer encouragement to listeners during the pandemic.
Emergency podcast discussing the suspension of baseball and other sports due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Alex Patt and Adam McGinnis open on spring training, the Cubs' first games back, and the reminder that the results do not really matter yet.
Hosts Alex Patt and Adam McGinnis discuss Chicago Cubs spring training and briefly touch on Chicago Bears predictions.
This episode discusses the start of Cubs spring training, comments from former manager Joe Maddon and Theo Epstein, and a minor team move.
Hosts discuss MLB trade rumors, focusing on the Cubs and a major three-team trade involving Mookie Betts.
Host Alex Patt and editor Jacob Meisner discuss the Chris Bryant grievance ruling and the slow Cubs offseason.
Hosts Alex Patt and Adam McGinnis recap the 2010s decade for the Chicago Cubs, discussing best moments, trades, players, and games.
Hosts Alex Patt and Adam McGinnis discuss the Chicago Cubs' financial situation and offseason moves during the holiday season.
Hosts Alex Patt and Adam McGinnis recap the Chicago Cubs' 2019 season, discuss missing the playoffs, and preview upcoming changes.
The hosts discuss the Chicago Cubs' recent struggles in the baseball season, particularly their failure to gain ground on the Milwaukee Brewers and a frustrating loss to the San Diego Padres, focusing on player Nico Hoerner's rise amid team division slipping.