Dan Bernstein Unfiltered – Special Cubs Playoff Edition

Podcast: Dan Bernstein Unfiltered
Host: Matt Abbatacola (filling in for Dan Bernstein)
Guest: Chris Rongey (KMOX St. Louis, former Chicago sports radio host)
Date: October 2, 2025

Episode Overview

This special edition, hosted by longtime executive producer Matt Abbatacola in Dan Bernstein’s absence, reunites Matt with his old friend Chris Rongey for a lively, wide-ranging conversation. The episode blends personal banter, radio reminiscing, and plenty of in-depth baseball talk—centered on the Cubs’ playoff run, the state of the NL Central, and the dynamics shaping postseason success. There’s signature unfiltered Chicago honesty, affectionate jabs, and a genuine bond between two radio veterans as they break down what matters most to fans in October.

Key Topics & Discussion Points

1. Reconnecting: Catching Up with Chris Rongey

• Location Update: Chris now lives in St. Louis and hosts "Chris and Amy" on KMOX, embracing early mornings despite always being a night owl.
• Personal Updates: Matt shares he’s been sober for 21 months, and both reminisce about past radio days, old friends, inside jokes, and mutual acquaintances (including the elusive “Team Lodge” crowd).
• Radio Reflections: Chris jokes about being “the looks” on his show, and they rib each other about age, bad influences, and missed invitations (03:00).

Notable Quotes

• “You’re always a good, positive male role model for me. If I’d have just followed in your footsteps sooner, I’d have been sooner ahead in life.” — Matt (03:25)
• “I thought you were dead.” — Chris, joking about Matt’s radio disappearance (03:00)

2. Cubs vs. Padres Playoff Breakdown (14:20)

• Discussing the Cubs dropping Game 2 to the Padres and facing a Game 3 elimination at Wrigley.
• Key focus: Why home runs and reducing strikeouts are vital in postseason baseball.

Notable Stats/Quotes

• “When you out-homer your opponent in a playoff series, your winning percentage goes up to 80%.” — Matt (15:10)
• “You can’t strike out 24 times and expect to do very well…If you don’t put the ball in play at all, you’re going to give yourself no chance to win.” — Chris (16:00)

Segment Timestamps

• Game 2 Recap: 14:20–19:00
• Bullpen Dominance: Mason Miller’s impact for Padres (15:47)
• Cubs Struggles at the Plate: Strikeouts, lack of offensive production (16:43)

3. Playoff Strategy: The Power Game & Pitching (20:13)

• Importance of manufacturing runs early and getting production from core hitters.
• Comparative examples: The role of aces like Garrett Crochet, and how teams benefit from dominant starters or big bats.
• Trends: Low-scoring postseason games; “if you’re not going to hit long balls, you need strikeout pitchers.” (21:33)

Notable Quotes

• “These guys are paid to do it in the postseason…if your big boys aren’t producing, it’s a lot tougher to overcome that.” — Chris (19:55)
• “Without hitting the long ball, your pitcher needs to go 6+ innings with 10+ strikeouts to boost your win chances to 66%.” — Matt (21:00)

4. Around the League: Mets, Reds, NL Central (22:33)

• Mets’ payroll disaster and Pete Alonso’s likely departure.
• Reds: Young talent, but skepticism about front office commitment to spending and contending.
• Warning against using the Mets' failure as a reason for other teams to be cheap: “Six out of the top seven payrolls made the postseason.” — Chris (24:33)

Notable Moments

• Recalling the Reds’ president's infamous sentiment: “What are you going to do, go watch something else?” (24:11)
• “Don’t let [the Mets] be an excuse for not being aggressive during the offseason.” — Chris (25:44)

5. AL MVP Debate: Aaron Judge vs. Cal Raleigh (29:17)

• Both agree Judge deserves AL MVP over Raleigh despite Raleigh’s unprecedented 60 HRs as a catcher.
• Discussion on the value of “best overall player” vs. sentimental stories.

Quotes

• “I just think we’re putting too much weight behind [60 HRs].” — Chris (30:16)
• “It’s probably the best story in baseball…but he’s just not the most valuable player for his team, not in the American League.” — Matt (31:00)

6. Cardinals & NL Central Outlook (33:32)

• St. Louis introduces Heim Bloom as president of baseball operations.
• Chris breaks down questionable rotation depth, prospect struggles, and “years away” from true contention (34:10).
• Cloud over 2027 with a possible lockout and the effect on aggressive spending.
• Brewers’ sustained excellence: Repeated division wins and wildcard berths.

Quotes

• “They haven’t left off 2026 in terms of trying to be competitive, but just looking at the roster…I don’t know.” — Chris (34:11)
• “It feels to me like they’re still a couple years away…they are years away from being a World Series contender.” — Chris (35:18)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Reunion & Personal Updates: 00:54–10:06
• Reflecting on Radio, Dan Bernstein, and old friends: 10:29–13:00
• Cubs-Padres Playoff Analysis: 14:20–21:33
• NL Central, Mets, Reds: 22:33–26:00
• AL MVP Debate: 29:17–32:16
• Cardinals Future, NL Central Landscape: 33:32–38:13
• Closeout, Mutual Appreciation, Plans to Reunite: 38:24–end

Other Memorable Moments

• Dan Bernstein’s Movie Review via Text (12:00)
  “I'm in the movie theater by myself. I'm watching the new Naked Gun movie. Do not come see this movie. It is terrible.”
• Relatable Aging & Sobriety Discussion (09:11–10:06)
  Matt marks significant life changes and sobriety: “It was actually yesterday—21 months without a drink.”

Tone & Language

• Playful, affectionate, direct: Plenty of inside jokes, old-school radio banter, and “Chicago honesty.”
• Insightful baseball analysis: Stats and trends delivered in common-sense, conversational style.
• No pretense, just real talk: “It all worked out for the good because eight years later, I get to launch a podcast network with Dan Bernstein.” (10:06)

Listener Takeaway

Whether you’re a longtime 670 The Score listener, a Chicago sports devotee, or just tuning in for smart baseball chatter, this episode delivers warmth, wit, and a ton of veteran perspective. Matt and Chris’s reunion feels like a night at the sports bar—full of candor, strong opinions, and real friendship. The playoff breakdowns are direct, actionable, and, above all, true to the spirit of Chicago boys talking ball.

For feedback, guest requests, or to weigh in with your own unfiltered takes, email:

• mat@312sports.com
• dan@312sports.com

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