Dan Bernstein Unfiltered – "Cubs' Playoff Run Starts Today" (September 30, 2025)

Episode Overview

This episode of "Dan Bernstein Unfiltered" is a passionate, insightful, and sometimes hilarious deep dive into the Chicago Cubs’ entry into the 2025 MLB playoffs. Dan Bernstein, joined by longtime producer Matt Abbatacola, delivers the no-nonsense, high-standard analysis Chicago sports fans expect, with a primary focus on the Cubs’ expectations, key players, and their playoff outlook. The conversation also touches on Chicago’s broader sports scene, including quick takes on the Bears and recent White Sox moves.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Cubs in the Playoffs: Raising the Bar (01:07–03:59)

• Expectation Setting: Dan and Matt hammer home that making the playoffs should be an annual expectation for the Cubs—not a “special treat.”
  • “This should be every year. Yes, every single year. The bare minimum should be a wild card series. This should be part of your fall every single year.” – Dan (01:18)
• Organizational Resources: Emphasis on the Cubs’ wealth, ability to hire elite talent, and invest in long-term development ("capital S Spending"—scouts, technology, international development) beyond just high-price free agents.
• Comparisons: Pointing to small market teams like the Brewers repeatedly winning the division as further proof fans should demand more from Cubs’ leadership and ownership.

2. The Playoff Rotation and Matthew Boyd’s Story (07:23–24:24)

• Game 1 Starter: The spotlight is on Matthew Boyd as the Cubs’ surprising but deserving Game 1 starter.
  • Recap of his season: Overcame injuries, carried the rotation when needed, and finished as the team’s most valuable pitcher.
  • “To get to where he's gotten this season—age 34 to go 180 innings … finish with a ERA of 321... Well done and a more than workmanlike year for a guy who never has had an ace profile.” – Dan (09:48)
• Unexpected Journey: The oddity that Justin Steele and Shota Imanaga both missed significant time, Cade Horton emerged as a late-season ace but is injured, and Matthew Boyd (not seen as a staff ace) became the team’s most valuable pitcher.
• Reflection: Dan connects his own “comeback” with the Cubs’ journey, sharing his personal resurgence alongside their playoff berth (12:16–13:08).

3. Matthew Boyd’s Emotional Press Conference (13:44–24:24)

• Boyd’s Honesty and Sentiment:
  • Expressing deep gratitude for the opportunity to pitch Game 1 at Wrigley.
    • “It's something you dream of and get to do it ... at Wrigley, get to do it for the Cubs organization. It's something I don't take lightly, and it's an amazing honor.” – Matthew Boyd (13:47)
  • Reflection on the Tokyo season-opening trip as team-bonding and chemistry-building.
  • On picking up for injured teammates (especially Cade Horton): "That's why there's 26 of us in there. ...I think that's the makeup of this team and that's what....makes these runs special. It's never just about one guy, it's about the group." (16:14)
• Emotional High Point:
  • Boyd tears up reflecting on his grandfather, a lifelong Cubs fan, and the honor of pitching in these playoffs.
    • “You think about what a ridiculous build this is...Cool because you never know when the opportunity presents itself. ...To get to think that I would have got this opportunity knowing everything about like grandfather growing up here, you know, be in a Cub. ...He would be extremely happy.” – Matthew Boyd (20:31–22:18)
  • Dan and Matt both get emotional, expressing deeper rooting interest for Boyd after hearing his story.

4. Playoff Matchup Breakdown: Cubs vs. Padres (24:24–29:38)

• Padres Bullpen Worries: Names like Jeremiah Estrada, Adrian Morijon, Robert Suarez, and Mason Miller highlighted as "terrifying" late-game arms—Cubs need to score early.
• Small Edges, Home Field: Regular season splits slightly favor Cubs at home but aren’t considered predictive in a short series.
• Critical Factors:
  • Defensive reliability, especially Seiya Suzuki’s occasional errors in right field, could be pivotal.
    • “That can't happen now. That can't.” – Dan (28:37)
• Offensive Focus: Cubs must capitalize with runners in scoring position and avoid lapses—anything less than aggression and fundamentals could cost them a two-game series.

5. White Sox Housecleaning (29:38–32:18)

• Complete Staff Overhaul: Chris Getz era kicks off with firing the entire coaching staff to make way for new hires.
• Bob Melvin Speculation: The guys muse on industry practices, loyalty, and Melvin’s future—should the Sox pursue experienced talent like Melvin for their rebuild?

6. Bears Tidbits and Halftime Interview Debate (33:49–44:07)

• Bears on Bye: With the Bears entering their bye week, Dan appreciates the timing—gives full attention to baseball.
• Halftime Interview Sidetrack: A minor Bears controversy over head coach Ben Johnson’s testy halftime TV exchange is dissected, mostly lampooned as a non-story:
  • “Coaches on the field can be dicks. And coaches whose teams are playing badly also cannot be …less than perfectly nice in the moment.” – Dan (36:01)
  • Johnson admits frustration and promises to handle it better; Dan and Matt compare the faux outrage with Gregg Popovich’s intentionally comedic, gruff NBA interviews.
• In-Game Broadcasts: Discussion on the pros/cons of mic’d up players, the value of in-dugout interviews, and how authenticity (or lack thereof) makes or breaks such segments.

7. Further Bears Notes: Offensive Woes and Coaching Transparency (47:38–51:48)

• Ben Johnson’s Self-Assessment: Openly admits struggles with timely play calling and game management, vowing to fix it.
  • "I don't feel like everybody on offense yet is pulling their weight. ...There's a number of things from yesterday's game I have to do a better job of.” – Ben Johnson (48:22)
• Matt & Dan’s Take: Praise Johnson’s honesty, question why headset or communication issues aren’t resolved by now, and urge transparency and practical solutions.

8. Betting, Heisman Odds, and Banter (51:48–55:38)

• College Football Heisman Update: Dan recaps shifting Heisman odds and congratulates Matt on a potentially massive windfall after an early bet on a long-shot candidate.
• Matt’s Response: “I'm right it out, man. That's my guy. I believe in him.” (55:35)
• Dan’s Ethics: As a Heisman voter, laughs about his inability to wager but enjoys seeing Matt’s excitement.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “This should be every year. ... You’re in the big time baseball business and every year. You should have a chance to win the World Series and they have a chance to win the World Series starting today.”
  – Dan Bernstein (01:18–01:59)

• “Well, let’s be fair, though, because inside the walls of Wrigley Field, the Cubs just break even.”
  – Matt (05:44, dryly poking fun at ownership’s profit claims)

• Matthew Boyd gets emotional about his journey and grandfather:
  “My grandfather grew up in Chicago. He grew up a Cubs fan...I get to be a Cub now. It’s pretty cool.” – Matthew Boyd (20:31–22:18)

• On playoff anxiety and rooting for players as people:
  “If you weren’t [rooting for him]—now it’s a different feeling. ...I want Matthew Boyd to do well. Even outside me being a Cubs fan.” – Matt (24:04)

• On in-game broadcast window dressing:
  “Coaches at all levels...can be dicks, because they give orders for a living. ...I didn’t think too much about [the halftime interview story].” – Dan (36:01)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:07–03:59 – Cubs playoff expectations and what fans should demand every year
• 07:23–24:24 – Matthew Boyd’s journey, emotional press conference, and being named Game 1 starter
• 24:24–29:38 – Padres bullpen, series keys, crucial defensive matchups (Suzuki/Tucker)
• 29:38–32:18 – White Sox coaching purge and Bob Melvin speculation
• 33:49–44:07 – Bears on bye, Ben Johnson’s halftime interview, broadcast authenticity
• 47:38–51:48 – Bears offensive issues and coaching transparency
• 51:48–55:38 – Betting talk, Heisman odds update, banter about long-shot parlays

Tone and Conclusion

Bernstein and Abbatacola are candid, passionate, frequently irreverent, and always grounded in the “no excuses, no sentimentality” ethos of Chicago sports talk. They blend emotional playoff anticipation with hard-nosed accountability and comic relief. This episode—anchored by Matthew Boyd’s heartfelt story—captures what playoff baseball in Chicago should feel like: pressure, joy, and an unwavering demand for greatness.

Closing Vibe:
The Cubs are finally back where they belong, and their fans (along with two of Chicago’s sharpest voices) are going to enjoy every nerve-wracking, hope-filled moment—no filter applied.