Away Games: A Chicago Cubs Podcast

Well THAT was a big game, so we’re dropping an episode a day earlier than normal. To celebrate Adam’s birthday, Jon Lester and Kyle Schwarber returned to Wrigley. It was emotional, and fun, and the Cubs won — most enjoyable game of the year? We say yes. We also good good offensive performances from almost everybody, a killer Nico defensive play, and a fantastic debut for 30-year-old rookie Tommy Nance. Take a bite out of a Twix that your friend left for you in the field and follow us everywhere @awaygamespod

It’s been a weird week. Every Cub is injured or under the weather, they swept the Dodgers, and basically every game ends 3-2 now. Adam and Kevin talk about literal dreams they’ve had about the Cubs and baseball lately, and after KB was pulled mid-game and some people freaked out about a trade, we take the time to consider — emotionally — what a Kris Bryant trade would mean. Twitter & Instagram: @awaygamespod

DJ (aka Davidjohn AKA Deej) Herz is a top-30 prospect in the Cubs system, a hard-throwing lefty who joins us from his poolside hotel room in Myrtle Beach before the start of the minor league season. DJ is one of the youngest players the Cubs have in full season ball, and makes his debut Saturday, May 8 in the Pelicans rotation.  Follow us! Twitter & Insta: @awaygamespod Follow DJ! Twitter: @DavidjohnHerz Instagram: @dj_herz

Bleacher Nation writer Bryan Smith joins us to preview the Cubs Minor League Season (starting at the 31:00 mark). Topics: what pitchers have made the big leap, what affiliate has the most exciting lineup to watch, who will the Cubs next real homegrown starter be, and a lot more. Use the code PELICANS for $10 off an MILB.TV subscription if you want to catch minor league action on TV all year. Before that, we’ve got your normal weekly episode, with Kevin & Adam talking about the doubleheader wins over the Dodgers, Pitching Ninja graduate Justin Steele, a great debut from Keegan Thompson, Bote’s big game, Javy’s resurgence, that Amir Garrett situation in Cincinnati, and of course, Anthony Rizzo’s pitching dominance over Frederick Freddie Freeman. Follow us @awaygamespod and rate and review if you don’t mind!

Brennen Davis stopped by (via his home in Arizona), to talk to us about his Spring Training experience, getting drafted, learning from veterans like Jason Heyward, spending more time than he ever anticipated in South Bend, the nastiness of Alzolay, and his skills in other areas (golf, video games, nature stuff). Get to know one of the most exciting players in the Cubs system and follow him on twitter @brennendavis__ and on instagram @_bigb_

The Cubs won 4, then immediately lost 4, and now look as hungover as Kevin is on this podcast. We do a little Fernando Tatis talk, get psyched about the debut of big Trevor Megill, the return of Nico Hoerner, the success of Arrieta, and a bunch of nice peripherals that aren’t resulting in production for Bote, Heyward, and most notably, Happ.  Follow us on Twitter & Instagram @awaygamespod!

Kevin & Adam both go to games in person this week: Wrigley & Yankee Stadium, and we tell you everything you need to know about the in-person baseball experience in 2021. We also talk about the signs of life from the offense, a great start for Jake Arrieta, and our hope for Javy to break out of his contact-less approach. Follow us on Twitter & Instagram @awaygamespod!

The Cubs offense is, again, historically bad, so we have to talk about it, but we also talk about fun things like friend of the pod Justin Steele’s impressive MLB debut. Steele, Wieck & Strop joined the team after three relievers were put on the Covid IL (Adam, Workman, Winkler). Other topics: Bauer’s confiscated balls, Eric Sogard’s wife Kaycee liking racist tweets, and Justin Turner’s wife dislikes a trivia question written by Kevin. Follow us everywhere @awaygamespod, and use the code AWAYGAMES for a free $20 deposit on Thrive Fantasy!

Kevin and Adam talk about the Cubs 3-1 start and all the notable events from opening week: Kris Bryant offense, Willson Contreras expert receiver & pitch framer, good Kimbrel, Javy opposite field power, and all around excellent starting pitching. It’s a good week! Follow us on Twitter & Instagram @awaygamespod.

#160 Chicago Cubs 2021 Season Preview (and EXTEND RIZZO) Kevin, Adam, and BFF of the show Ken Schultz (Baseball Prospectus / Outsports) get together to go in depth to preview the 2021 Chicago Cubs season. Predictions: who’s the MVP, who will breakout, who will be dealt, where will this team finish? This is all after we talk about Anthony Rizzo’s current status for the first 18 minutes of the show. But the full season preview starts at 18:00! If you’re looking for a new Cubs podcast, give this episode a try. We think you’ll have fun with us. Twitter: @awaygamespod Instagram: @awaygamespod

We’re one week from ACTUAL baseball, so Adam and Kevin take the time to talk about the most impressive performances of the Spring (Hoerner, Bote, Marisnick, Joc), and what that means for the upcoming roster decisions. We also talk just a little bit about fantasy baseball, and what Cubs you’d want in your fake team. Go to ThriveFantasy and use promo code AWAYGAMES for a $20 credit on your first deposit.

Opening Day is two weeks away, and there's a fight to make the final roster. We talk about the final bench bat (Maybin, Sogard, Vargas?) and the chess game it will take to keep all the relievers we want without losing any to waivers, after the impressive performances by Shelby Miller, Rex Brothers, and Dillon Maples.

Fans will be allowed at Wrigley on Opening Day, and we give you a rundown of everything you can expect at games this season. We also overreact to some early Spring Training performances (Nico’s hitting .600! Trevor Megill touching 99! Nasty Rex Brothers!), talk about the Cubs fun new prospect Shendrick Apostel, and hit you with a Harry Carey trivia question you probably didn’t know. Follow us @awaygamespod on Twitter and Instagram, and rate and review if ya don’t mind! This was a fun one.

We end the episode with a teaser from Bob Newhart (at 36:39), telling Kevin about his favorite Cubs memories. Clip from radio show “Celebrate!” (on Sirius XM 99, Wednesdays at 4 p.m. Eastern - full interview airs 3/10). Before that, we talk Cubs first Spring Training game, the Cubs history of spring training performance, ESPN’s simulation that has the Cubs winning the division, and we rank best/worst celebrity Cubs fans and 7th inning stretches. Use code AWAYGAMES at ThriveFantasy for $20 credit with a $20 deposit! Follow us @awaygamespod on Twitter & Instagram.

The Cubs are in Arizona, with a couple new/old names joining the team (Cameron Maybin, Brandon Workman). We’re on the lookout for extensions for Rizzo/Bryant/Baez, talking about the over/unders posted in Vegas and how we’d bet the Cubs, and enjoying seeing Jake Arrieta working with Adbert Alzolay. Next week: real Spring baseball games! Use the code AWAYGAMES at Thrive Fantasy for a free $20, follow us on all your favorite socials @awaygamespod.

Pitchers and catchers are finally back in Arizona, and one very important pitcher is back with the Cubs: Jake Arrieta! Baseball is finally back, and Arrieta is finally back with the Cubs on a one year deal. The team is just about finalized, as speedy outfielder Jake Marisnick also joined the Cubs this year. We talk about both Jakes (and possibly a third in Jake Lamb), Joc, and the beginning of this in-between year for the Cubs. We’re actually excited, and THAT is news. Brought to you by Thrive Fantasy: use the promo code AWAYGAMES for a $20 bonus on top of your $20 deposit and get to bettin’.

We are joined by with Greg Huss (Cubs Insider, Growing Cubs Podcast) to talk in depth about the Cubs farm system: strengths, weaknesses, players we can hope to see this season, and what prospects might form the next Cubs core. Greg also talks to us about what we can expect to see of the actual Minor Leagues after a year off. Folow Greg on Twitter @outofthevines and check him and Jimmyu Nelligan on the Growing Cubs Podcast. Follow us! Instagram & Twitter: @awaygamespod Hosts @adammamawala & @kevinmccaff

We specifically asked for good, or at least interesting things to start happening with the Cubs...and then they kind of did! The Cubs signed former Dodger Joc Pederson to play left field (and sometimes center), and starting pitcher/all around fun guy Trevor Williams to compete for a spot in the rotation. Former #4 pick, starting pitcher Kohl Stewart also signed to a deal, as the Ricketts reportedly found several dollars to be put toward winning baseball games. Follow us! Instagram & Twitter: @awaygamespod Hosts @adammamawala & @kevinmccaff

It’s time to talk about how much we’ll miss Jon Lester as the Cubs refused to make a serious offer to keep the most important free agent signing in Cubs history. We also talk about the Cubs offseason approach, what it means going forward, a big Cubs international signing, and we remember the late Hank Aaron and how underrated he still is. Use the code AWAYGAMES at ThriveFantasy for a free $20 credit with your deposit!

Cubs pitcher Justin Steele joins the pod for a second time to fill us in on his offseason workouts and his experience in South Bend and with the big league club in 2020. We also play Quarantine Lightning Round and find out Justin's favorite show to binge, his drink of choice, and the first place he plans to travel post-Covid. And yes, he has a PS5. Use promo code AWAYGAMES at Thrive Fantasy for a free $20 with your first deposit of $20 or more and follow us on all your favorite socials @awaygamespod!