OFF THE IVY: 10-game winning streak was fun BUT Chicago Cubs come back down to earth in series loss to Dodgers

Summary

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Off The Ivy: 10-Game Winning Streak Was Fun BUT Chicago Cubs Come Back Down to Earth in Series Loss to Dodgers

Podcast: Dan Bernstein Unfiltered
Host: 312 Sports (Dan Bernstein, Matt Abaticola, Cody Delmendo)
Date: April 27, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of "Off the Ivy" on 312 Sports analyzes the Chicago Cubs' recent three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. After a thrilling 10-game winning streak, the Cubs lost two of three in L.A., bringing them solidly "back down to earth." The hosts discuss the streak, roster challenges due to injury, bullpen struggles, the state of the Cubs’ defense, and how Craig Counsell is managing adversity. They also reflect on broader MLB trends, including payroll implications and parallels in other teams’ performances.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

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1. Series Recap: Highs and Lows

• Friday’s Game: Seen as one of the most exciting of the year, with top-tier pitching and defense from both sides.
  • “Friday was awesome, but the last 18 innings have been 18 innings I’d rather forget about than talk about.” (Matt, 02:14)
  • Cubs scored a thrilling comeback win.
• Saturday and Sunday: Cubs' offense stalled, bullpen depleted, and the team was "flat."
  • “Over 20 with runners on base is not going to get it done against any team.” (Matt, 02:58)
• Big Takeaway: Losses to an elite Dodgers team not a cause for panic, but exposed flaws amid injuries and roster strain.

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2. Runners in Scoring Position Frustrations & Context

• The Cubs struggled (4-for-24 RISP over the series).
  • Defense of Approach:
    • “The best offenses just have more situations with runners in scoring position. … just don’t make outs, keep guys on base, and eventually those come through for you.” (Dan, 05:02)
  • Emphasizing process over short-term results—the ability to create opportunities matters most.

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3. Depleted Bullpen: Names You’ve Never Heard

• Injuries: Cubs are missing most of their established bullpen arms, leading to unfamiliar names surfacing.

  • “If you knew who Yaxel Rios was when he came into the game yesterday, then more power to you.” (Matt, 09:49)
  • “Is there like a big wheel of pitchers in the dugout that Craig [Counsell] just spins…Every day now it’s like, who?” (Cody, 10:28)

• Management Praise: Despite circumstances, Counsell gets credit for maximizing available arms.

  • “One thing that I always give credit, Counsell knows how to lose a game correctly.” (Matt, 11:30)

• Notable Bullpen Performers:

  • Unheralded arms like Ryan Rolison and Corbin Martin closed out Friday’s win.
    • “Rollison to go out there and get nine outs…and Corbin Martin to close the game out…just, I think, the common thread for these guys that come out of nowhere.” (Cody, 12:59)
  • Rollison’s gutsy outing highlighted.

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4. The Role of Injuries and Finding Positives

• Workload Feels Like July:
  • “It feels like we’re 70 games in instead of 28…with these injuries.” (Dan, 15:29)
• Silver Lining?: Injuries give younger/unknown pitchers a chance to prove themselves.
  • “Maybe there’s a guy that comes up…forced into a role…and it just clicks.” (Cody, 16:39)
  • Riley Martin’s emergence discussed, along with his unfortunate injury.
    • “From a human standpoint, I feel terrible for the kid…this guy almost went to pharmacy school…” (Matt, 17:09)

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5. Defensive Excellence Anchors the Cubs

• Stat Domination:
  • “The Cubs are the best defensive team in baseball, and it’s not even really close.” (Dan, 22:13)
  • Leads in defensive runs above average and Statcast outs above average.
• Standouts:
  • Pete Crow-Armstrong in center field—“just magnificent.”
  • Friday’s defensive highlights cited: Bush’s barehand play, Suzuki-to-Horner relay, multiple outfield assists.
    • “If you’re not into defense, you gotta see that highlight reel and that’ll get you into defense.” (Matt, 24:03)
• Why It Matters: Team design emphasizes defense to support a patchwork rotation/bullpen.

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6. Aggressive Third Base Coaching Debate

• Quentin Barry’s Sends:
  • Aggressive base-running decisions sparked discussion, with Dan supporting “pro send” mentality.
    • “My belief is force that…the number of things that have to go right to make that play…spin that wheel, make that happen.” (Dan, 24:49)

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7. Offense: Power Outages & Trending Players

• Alex Bregman’s Sluggish Power:
  • “His ISO—or isolated power—is at .122, his career average is .206.” (Dan, 28:10)
  • The crew discuss stat-based concerns but believe it could trend up as weather warms and luck evens.
    • “He did hit that homer on Friday that was a no-doubter…he’s on his way.” (Matt, 30:15)

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8. MLB Trends: Payroll, Losing Streaks, and Parity

• Historic Losing Streak Facts:

  • Only 4 teams in MLB history have made playoffs after a 10-game losing streak; none after losing 12.
    • “The 2026 New York Mets lost 12 games in a row.” (Cody, 32:44)

• Payroll Paradox: High-spending teams (Mets, Phillies, Red Sox) are underperforming.

  • “All the argument about payroll—they’re…the two worst teams in the National League East.” (Cody, 33:43)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The Cubs ran into a team that can remind you that 10 wins are fun, but baseball is hard. And baseball will always reveal truths. One of the truths…the Cubs are dealing with is all their pitchers are hurt.” — Dan Bernstein (01:37)
• “One thing I always give credit, Counsell knows how to lose a game correctly.” — Matt Abaticola (11:30)
• “Defense doesn’t slump. If you’re good at defense, you are good at defense.” — Dan Bernstein (22:13)
• “I’d rather lose a series to the Dodgers than lose a series to a shitty team on the road…it is what it is.” — Cody Delmendo (14:35)
• “Maybe there’s a guy that comes up that was unexpected and forced into a role…and it just clicks.” — Cody Delmendo (16:33)
• “If you’re not into defense, you gotta see that highlight reel and that’ll get you into defense…” — Matt Abaticola (24:03)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:37] – Series sets reality: Cubs pitching injuries, Dodgers as a measuring stick
• [03:34] – Runners in scoring position woes
• [05:00–06:50] – Discussion of process vs. results with RISP, on-base percentage importance
• [09:46–11:47] – Unfamiliar bullpen arms & how Counsell manages losses
• [12:11] – Friday’s improbable closers: Rollison & Corbin Martin
• [15:29] – Injury toll & “feels like 70 games, not 28”
• [17:09] – Riley Martin’s story & bullpen injury “opportunities”
• [22:13] – Cubs’ elite defense dominance—stat breakdown
• [23:34–25:29] – Friday’s defensive highlights & aggressive base-coaching debate
• [28:10–30:15] – Alex Bregman’s power numbers, ISO and expected stats
• [31:43–33:43] – Longest losing streaks & payroll as a baseball leveling force

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Final Thoughts & Look Ahead

• Optimism remains for the Cubs due to strong offense, elite defense, and resilience despite bullpen adversity.
• The next test comes immediately with a tough matchup in San Diego, where the crew is looking for a strong, deep start from Matthew Boyd to help reset the bullpen.
  • “I need six strong from Matthew Boyd tonight so that Craig Counsell can actually manage to win the game tonight.” (Matt, 35:13)
• Big-picture: Team construction philosophies, hitting slumps, and historical context all matter, but the Cubs’ identity as a resilient, defensively elite unit will determine how high they can fly once the pitching gets healthy.

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Summary by 312 Sports (Dan Bernstein Unfiltered)

Transcript

[Dan Bernstein]

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[Matt Abaticola]

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[Cody Delmendo]

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[Dan Bernstein]

No, you don't understand. It went perfectly. Real offer down to the penny. They're picking it up tomorrow. Nothing went wrong. So what's the problem?

[Matt Abaticola]

That is the problem.

[Dan Bernstein]

Nothing in my life goes as smoothly. I'm waiting for the catch.

[Cody Delmendo]

Maybe there's no catch. That's exactly what a catch would want me to think.

[Matt Abaticola]

Wow. You need to relax.

[Dan Bernstein]

I need to knock on wood.

[Cody Delmendo]

Do we have wood?

[Dan Bernstein]

Is this table wood?

[Matt Abaticola]

I think it's laminate.

[Dan Bernstein]

Okay.

[Cody Delmendo]

Yeah.

[Dan Bernstein]

That's good. That's close enough. Car selling without a catch.

[Cody Delmendo]

Sell your car today on Carvana.

[Matt Abaticola]

Pick up fees may apply if you

[Dan Bernstein]

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[Cody Delmendo]

Off the Ivy, a Chicago Cubs podcast with Dan Bernstein, Matt Abaticola, Cody Delmendo on 312 Sports.

[Dan Bernstein]

It's time for off the Ivy on 312, brought to you by Chicago Window Guys. Call 847-302-9171. Check out the five star reviews at ChicagoNow guys.com Getting Windows is a big deal, so make sure you do it right with Chicago Window Guys. And the Cubs ran into a team that can remind you that 10 wins are fun, but the baseball is hard. And baseball will always reveal truths. One of the truths right now the Cubs are dealing with is all their pitchers are hurt. So where do we start?

[Matt Abaticola]

Well, the Friday game was awesome, but the last 18 innings have been 18 innings I'd rather forget about than talk about, to be honest with you, Dan. But you know, the 10 game winning streak was fun. There was a lot of highs in it that I didn't think I would feel this early in the year. But I think reality kind of set in on Saturday. Saturday, the game that we got Saturday, like a. Like a Blowout. I honestly thought we were going to get that Friday because of the pitching matchup and the bullpen and. But instead we got it Saturday. And so I wasn't really that upset about it yesterday. I was a little disappointed and just, you know, you can call it the final score. I call. You could call it the effort, maybe over 20 with runners on base, over eight with runners in scoring position. Just, just would have liked a better effort. And in that game, I'm not upset about losing the series. I just felt like they were flat the entire day. The first two innings you had opportunities with runners on base to, you know, kind of help show to Imanaga after he gave up three runs in the first and you know, they didn't do anything and then it just didn't matter the rest of the game. But again, over 20 with runners on base is not going to get it done against any team. So yeah, Rhonda, San Diego, hopefully they can bounce back tonight.

[Cody Delmendo]

Yeah. At 17 and 11, obviously the 10 game winning streak gets them back into a position where we feel comfortable about this team, where they're supposed to be. They're a game behind Cincinnati, who's just playing lights out to start the year. But at 28 games in 17 and 11, the Cubs are looking good. You lose two out of three in LA, a very hard place to win against a very good team, obviously the two time defending champions. So take that Friday win, which was the only game of the three that I watched on tv start to finish. The other two, I was like a mix of radio and tv and it was one of the more exciting games I think you're going to see, not only because of the outcome of it, but defense on both sides. It's great for the Dodgers and for the Cubs. It was just, it's like you watch that game and I was really happy the Cubs were able to get the win in the fashion they did. It was so exciting to do that. But you, you look at it and go, all right, these are, these are two of the three best teams in the National League. And you saw it on display in multiple avenues in pitching, in bullpen, in offense, in defense particularly. So it was, it was a lot of fun. You mentioned the runners in scoring position, Cody, for the game yesterday, over 8, 1 for 8 on Saturday, 3 for 8 on Friday, 4 for 24. That's just not going to get it done against a really good team. But again, that's what a good defense does to a good offense as well, with good pitching as well too.

[Dan Bernstein]

Let Me make this point too about it. And I'm glad that John Shambi said this on Sunday and it was nice to, to get back to the local broadcast Sunday. Although I much, much, much prefer JD To Rick Sutcliffe. I'm, I'm good on Rick Sutcliffe, by the way. I'm good. I mean, I know that there's a role to be played there, but any inning that he does is an inning that JD doesn't do. And I'm, I'm just, I think JD has never been better. And we sat through what Wayne Randazzo and Dontrell Willis and then it was, I don't even, you know, the he who shall not be named for the Saturday game. And we, we ended up with him saying that the best teams aren't necessarily going to be better in situations with runners in scoring position. The best offenses just have more situations with runners in scoring position. That ultimately one game here, one game there, the pressure that if you just keep making it hard to be out, that's why the on base percentage is so predictive of run scored. Just don't make outs, keep guys on bases and eventually those come through for you. As frustrating as it sounds right now, it is absolutely true that you're never going to be all of a sudden better than you usually are just because runners are in scoring position. You just have to keep giving yourself those opportunities and match them up with your reasonable rate stats and the runs will come.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah, I, I generally agree with you in the fact that the more opportunities you have, the more likely it is you're going to score runs at some point. I just, you know, some of the situational hitting just is, it can be frustrating. You know they struck out. Yes.

[Dan Bernstein]

I'm not saying it's not, I'm not saying it's not. Of course it's frustrating. It sucks to watch it keep happening. But the good news is they keep getting themselves into those situations which generally ends up being good.

[Cody Delmendo]

Yeah, right. And we talked about that. Then in the, in the Philly series, we looked at the numbers where the, the Cubs were in the top five in at bats with runners and scoring business. That that's what you need. That's good and that's, that's why they're going to be one of the better teams in baseball should win plus, you know, 90 plus games because you're going to have more opportunities than the worst teams in baseball. So that's just how it works.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah, the, probably the biggest at bat for, for the game, you look at it at the end was, I want to say it was the second inning. The Cubs had the bases loaded and Nico Horner at the plate and less than two outs. And that's like the, like you wouldn't want a different player up there if you're just trying to generate a run, right? And he strikes out, you know, and like that's him striking out. But runners on base ever at or not is very rare. Like his k rate like 10% or below for his career. So he, he, we've talked about plenty about his back to ball skills, but that was one game where, you know, just something that you don't normally see happen. So I'm not, again, I'm not worried about the offense or anything. It's just, just some, you'd like to see them put the ball in play instead of strike out in, in those situations. And that's, that's my point. So yeah, I, that is a good point that boot made though. As long as you continue to put yourself in good situations to score, that means that your offense is doing the right things. You know, just don't want it to become a trend where you just start getting in those situations and then not coming through. So the offense has been great over the winning streak and you know, even in the blowout on Saturday they, they hit like three or four homers and they just, they just didn't have anyone on base when they did them. So I'm not worried about the offense. It's one bad game and like I said, we'll see what they do in San Diego.

[Cody Delmendo]

Yeah, it was one bad game in the series, you know, yesterday with only four hits. The six nothing loss. But that was the first like bad offensive output, Bad offensive game we've seen in quite some time with this team. 11 hits on Friday, nine hits on Saturday. Yeah, again it's, it's the Dodgers. I mean, I'm not gonna walk away, you know, screaming and yelling about this team because they lost two out of three in la. It doesn't get any easier. As you mentioned, San Diego Tonight, San Diego 18 and 9, second in the NL West. They're 7 and 3 in their last 10. The Cubs among the hottest teams in baseball at 8 and 2 showed Imanaga 5 and a third yesterday, six hits, five earned runs, six K. Still 100 pitches. But it just, it wasn't the Cubs day and it wasn't their weekend and it just wasn't their series. Put it behind you. Let's go to San Diego. Let's start new. Let's get a win tonight in San Diego. It's going to be a tough matchup, though, against Randy Vasquez. But again, this is what good teams do. You know, you're facing good teams. These are the kind of pressures you're going to face as you, as you go through this road trip, particularly playing some better teams in the league.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah. With them going to San Diego tonight. Interested to see how Council manages the bullpen? Because I honestly felt like as painful as it was the last two days, Council managed the bullpen as good as you could have asked the guy to, considering what it is right now. I mean, I know I can't be the only one here. And also, if you're listening to this, but if you knew who Yaxel Rios was when he came into the game yesterday, then, like, more power to you, man.

[Dan Bernstein]

Maybe I couldn't believe it was the same Vince Velasquez.

[Cody Delmendo]

Yeah, dude, I, you know, I saw,

[Dan Bernstein]

I saw Vince versus. I'm like, wow, what are the odds that there's another guy named Vince Velasquez?

[Cody Delmendo]

Oh, no, that's him. Holy shit, it's him. He just hasn't pitched in three years. Like, yeah. Is there like a big wheel of pitchers in the dugout that, that, that, that Craig has now he just spins the wheel of. Because, like, every day now it's like, who? All right, let me grab the phone. I gotta Google Vince Villa. Oh, it is the same guy that hasn't pitched in three years. He was with the player. Yeah, Yexel Rios. Okay, who's this guy? It's, it's like all the time now, and I have to know it, like, as quickly as possible, because then when my 13 year old son sees the excel Rio's pitching. Dad, what's, what's the excel Rio? I, I, I'm reading about him right now. Buddy, hang on, give me, give me a minute. So, yeah, it's crazy.

[Dan Bernstein]

No, see, you see, it's, he will know. It's your son's job. Like, what do you mean you don't know who Yaxel Rios is? Dad, this guy, he was pitching in the Mexican League, and then he pitched in Venezuela, and then he went to Korea, and now you're right, Henry is

[Cody Delmendo]

not quite at Jason's level yet. I mean, it's his point there.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah.

[Dan Bernstein]

What do you mean you don't know? You're the guy who's got a podcast. You're supposed to know all this stuff.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah, the Vince Velasquez. Saturday, Yaxel Rios. Yesterday I Mean, like I. One thing that I always give credit counsel is he, he knows how to, how to lose a game correctly. And you know, it's true.

[Dan Bernstein]

I used to say that about Ozzy Guillen. He was really good at that.

[Matt Abaticola]

I, I'll give Yaxel Rios this. Like, he did throw pretty hard. He got a couple strikeouts. I'm not saying he's earned a role, but like considering the state of the bullpen, it's like we need someone. I mean what, what happened on Friday? You know, you guys were talking about the defense, you're talking about how the game ended. Ryan Rollison and Corbin Martin, anyone have them closing out the Dodgers in spring training? You know.

[Cody Delmendo]

Yeah. Did you like go back to that game Friday and compare salaries of pitchers that finished the games after the starters? Right.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah. And for the Dodgers, they, they blew the lead. Like Tanner Scott making a lot of money. Blake Trine and well known reliever around the league. And then the other guy, Alex Veccia, who was considered one of their high leverage relievers over the years, just didn't have it. And you know that we saw the comeback with Bregman and with the homer and Dansby Swanson with the, the homer and yeah, I mean that was bizarre. And then for Rollison to go out there and get nine outs and then Corbin Martin, I tweeted sarcastically like beginning of Friday, like it'll be funny when Corbin Martin goes out there and closes the game out and then of course he does go.

[Cody Delmendo]

But yeah, I just, I think the, the, the common thread for these, these guys that just come out of nowhere. There's like a special bullpen that they're all just sitting in. Like, I think they have to be like their name has to be a really good Borat name. Dan Yosa, you know, Vince Velasquez. Yeah. My wife.

[Dan Bernstein]

That's now two Yaxels we know, right? Yaxel Lendborg. Lend.

[Matt Abaticola]

The, the basketball player from Michigan. Yeah.

[Dan Bernstein]

And yeah, Yel. Rio spelled differently. But now we're, now we're deep at Yaxel.

[Matt Abaticola]

I think I will say this though, and this is, this is related to the state of the bullpen. I thought show to Yamanaga should have been done after five yesterday. Like he gave up the three runs early and then he kind of settled in and was able to keep it a three run game through five. And they were after five. They had already entered the Dodgers lineup like the third time through. And so I think with a, a bullpen that's healthier, I think Craig probably goes to someone different, but because of the state of it and just the lack of trust in really anyone. Plus you used Assad on Saturday. I mean, maybe you could have used Ben Brown, but do you want to use Ben Brown the way he's been pitching down three? That's one of those where I feel like I understood why he tried to extend Shorty Managa another inning and it didn't work out. And you know, then it's just kind of like throw the towel and wave the white flag after that inning and, but the point is, is because of the, the injuries in the bullpen, I think that's why Council managed the game the way he did.

[Cody Delmendo]

Yeah, I think you guys, you guys just said it and, and Dan backed you up on it. Cody. It's just, Craig Council knows how to lose games well. And you're not going to go out there and bring Assad after. I mean, he's not. That wasn't even a question. Why Ben Brown here? This is not the case. This is just not our day. You're going to lose this series of the Dodgers and it's okay. I mean, it's, it's okay. I'd rather lose a series of the Dodgers than lose a series to a shitty team on the road. So it's, it is what it is under the Padres tonight.

[Dan Bernstein]

And I know that it makes Council's life miserable to not. I mean, if you think we don't know who the pitchers are, it's one thing for us to be like, oh yeah, geez, I got to look at my phone and I got to Google what. But if you, you're the manager of the team and your question that day when you get to work is when you say what pitchers are available, like, who are they and what do they do?

[Cody Delmendo]

Are they righties? Are they lefties?

[Dan Bernstein]

That's.

[Cody Delmendo]

How do they throw?

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, that's no fun. And what, what was the quote from Jed Hoyer? He says, like, it feels like we're 70 games in instead of 28 games in. Like, it feels like we're, we're nearly midway through a season when it comes to these injuries. Is there any. Anyway, this is some blessing in disguise? No, because that would presume a finite amount of pitching injury. And it's just not there, There isn't anything to say. And I, and, and I like to think counterintuitively and I, I, I think I mentioned that when the season started, like, say, a Suzuki, at least he's getting that injury sort of out of the way when it comes to Pitching as we look at writ large, it, it could happen all year. It could just be a really unlucky year when it comes to that. And, or maybe, you know, you know, you, you, you give Palencia break after the WBC and those really stressful, intense appearances that he had on the WBC and really just a career defining moment for him in a lot of ways. And he maybe just needed it and if you can get through it the way they got through it, we could be laughing about this in October.

[Cody Delmendo]

Well, I, you know, I'm trying to stay positive with it with looking at the, I was looking at the, all the pitchers on the injury, on the injury list and it's just, it's overwhelming, but trying to stay positive. My positive thought is maybe there's a guy that comes up that was unexpected and forced into a role this year and it's like, oh, this guy maybe, you know, looking at him, we didn't think major league level, but he gets up there and it just clicks, you know, and it's just some guys have that kind of gene in them that it's like when they get to the big show or they get to those big moments, they, they find success. And maybe that's what happens this year. You find a guy maybe a year or two before you even thought you would.

[Matt Abaticola]

Well, with that, I mean, I thought Riley Martin was Riley Martin and unfortunately now he's going back to Chicago because he's got left elbow inflammation, which is alarming and sad. I mean, from a human standpoint, I feel terrible for the kid because this guy almost went to pharmacy school and now he's pitching in Major League Baseball and he's pitching high leverage innings for the Cubs in April because of all these injuries. And he's thriving. You know, he had, he's had one bad inning where he gave up a two run homer to Bryce Harper. You know, like, other than that, he's,

[Dan Bernstein]

what the hell, man? What's wrong with you?

[Matt Abaticola]

Right? He's been really good. And I hope, I hope that his injury is, I hope it's not what I feel like it could be based off it being an elbow thing.

[Cody Delmendo]

Right.

[Matt Abaticola]

But you know, like, you are correct, Matt. It is giving some guys some opportunity and maybe Corbin Martin and Ryan Rolison will be those guys. I really do like Corbin Martin, if to be fair about it. But Rollison, the defense behind him helped him out and then it felt like he got going because he struck out Ohtani on an away pitch like painted and it, the umpire called it a ball but shout out to ABS for, for, for getting that one right. And then he came out in the next inning and got like three outs on, soft contact, pop ups, stuff like that. And we're like going through the heart of the Dodgers lineup. It, it was crazy to watch.

[Cody Delmendo]

Yeah. And you just, you just mentioned two things, Cody, which are, again, a positive in an area where you're bringing guys in left and right out of the secret bullpen that you don't know who's in there is the ABS system and, and the Cubs defense. I mean, so if you're forced to throw guys up in situations, maybe you wouldn't be ready to bring them up. You have the defense behind you. You have an ABS system which you can challenge questionable calls or whatnot. You have a catcher in Carson Kelly who seems to be really good at, at challenging calls. So there's some positives there. Now, it certainly isn't what you want. Like Jed. I'm sure Jed didn't sit down and go, I hope this year we're running through 75 different, you know, bullpen arms in the first three months. So I can understand who we have in this, you know, farm system. That's not what you want. But just trying, trying to stay positive with it. The, the defense and offense are going to be there for you. The pitching, obviously, they're going to have to work that out, and they will.

[Dan Bernstein]

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[Cody Delmendo]

So Randy Vasquez tonight for the Padres. 2 and 0. 188 ERA, 30 strikeouts in 28 and 2/3 innings. Eight walks, one home run. He's thrown a variety of pitches so far this year. He's got seven pitches. He throws mostly the four seam, the cutter and the sinker. He goes anywhere from 84 to 95 on his miles per hour on all seven of his pitches. His hard hit rate is up, which seems to be a trend in all pitchers we've looked at so far this year. His K rate is up. His walk rate is down though it's going to be tough, right? He's lefties, you know, home away. He's, he's, he's just off to a really good start in his first five games of the season.

[Matt Abaticola]

Well, I can't wait to see Moises by Steros get a chance at him because no one can stop him right now. Man. And Michael Bush, Michael Bush had a great week last week.

[Dan Bernstein]

They knew that was coming.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah, yeah, we knew that was coming.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yes, that was, that was a regression that we knew was coming one way or another. I also want to note this here. As of what is the 20th, April 27th, correct, the Chicago Cubs are the best defensive team in baseball and it's not even really close. Number two, actually, strangely enough, the Boston Red Sox, who just had a complete purge of their entire field staff pretty much. But the Cubs right now as far as defensive runs above average are at 11.5. They're also leading all of baseball By a mile in stat. Cast outs above average. So this. This is a special defensive team. It was put together to be that. It is that right now, led by Pete Crowe, Armstrong's just magnificent work in center field. Right now, Beavis is going and getting it out there. And this is a. This is a. It doesn't slump. If you are good at defense, you are good at defense. And it gives me reason to believe that you can keep dreaming big dreams about this Cubs team if they can just get the pitching sorted.

[Cody Delmendo]

Oh, let's. Let's mention the play that happened Friday night off of Michael Bush's shoulder that picked out of. Out of the air. My God, what a play.

[Dan Bernstein]

Right Bare hand. What is it? So three, four, one on the put. And the job that Rollison did, getting over there, too.

[Matt Abaticola]

That was great. Yeah. And then the. The play before that, right on the. I think it was a. Was. It was a double trying to leg into a triple by Andy Pahes. Start with the relay from, say, Suzuki Horner. And then Horner threw him out. The. It had like the. The next play that you mentioned first. Like, it all happened in a matter of like, you know, two minutes. And it's just if you. If you get. If you're not into defense, you gotta see that highlight reel and that'll get you into defense because that. That was incredibly fun and a big part in how they came back and won the game.

[Cody Delmendo]

Right. And then let's not, you know, we'll mention Pajes. What? He threw two guys out at home.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Cody Delmendo]

So, I mean, yeah, again, that was just a really fun game to watch. Two really good baseball teams. Love the collapse from the. The bullpen for the Dodgers, but man, defense was on display Friday night and it was a lot of fun to watch.

[Matt Abaticola]

Were you guys okay with the sends on both of them by Quentin Barry?

[Dan Bernstein]

You know what? Generally I am pro send. I.

[Matt Abaticola]

My.

[Dan Bernstein]

My belief. Default belief is force that the number of things that have to go right to make that play. Play. Spin that wheel. Make that happen. Take that chance. I generally like to air on the side of aggressiveness.

[Matt Abaticola]

I would say the second one, I was just more like kind of amazed at the play that PA has did. Making the throw off. Off balance and then Kim making a perfect throw home. Like, Ian Hap was right there. He just. They beat him by like a millisecond. First one, you know, the first one was Bush, right.

[Cody Delmendo]

And yeah, that. That might have been the one I questioned a little bit more.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah, more so because of the, like, the Time of the game, like it was like the second inning. You're, you're down like I think it's three nothing at that point. And like, yeah, you felt like you had the Dodgers on the ropes a little bit there and, and instead you run into an out. Yeah. And there was less than two outs in the inning too. I would have liked to see them hold them up a third on that one, but so I would again, one, one out of the two. I was kind of like eh, but I, I don't mind aggressiveness.

[Cody Delmendo]

Yeah, I, I, I, I agree with Dan. I think you know, like spin that wheel like the, like the bullpen pitcher wheel that Craig has. Like spin that, give it a try. I, oh, very, very much different, Very different wheel. I mean one he knows the plays and the players on it, the other one, he's never heard of them before. So yeah, I'm, I'm all for that. I just, I, I think the game situation for me, down three nothing. You're getting some pressure on here. Leave that guy at third. Let's see what we can, can continue to do, but whatever. And you know, at the end of the day they end up winning that game. So, you know, it's, it's good f. To talk about.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah. As far as other, you mentioned the defense. I, Pete had two really good catches yesterday out in center. He had a tough one out out there on Saturday that he didn't make. He got kind of twisted. Like he, he's so good at defense that when he doesn't make a play, you're, you're just shocked. But that one's a tough play. But overall, I thought, you know, Pete's defense yesterday was one of the highlights of the, of the day. Outside of, you know, really nothing else showed up being okay. But yeah, I mean like you said, Dan, the defense, it doesn't slump. This team prides itself on defense. I think how Jed Hoyer has built the team has been a lot based on defense and whether fans agree or disagree with, with that, how to build a team or whatever. And that, that way the defense that they have, they need it with the kind of pitching staff that they have. So I, I always, I feel like we always have to or I feel like I always have to remind fans of that because the Colin Rays, the Javier Assad's, as, as valuable as they've been for the Cubs. If they don't have a good defense, I don't think the numbers they have are, are the same.

[Cody Delmendo]

Well, no, just, I mean, take a look at the team that, the, that the Cubs just took six games from out of nine in, in the, the Phillies. Their defense is horrible. Horrible. And you saw it. And they have a good game after game and they have, they have a really good offense and they have a good pitching step. Their defense is terrible.

[Dan Bernstein]

I want to bring up one last thing that I'm just on my watch list here, and that is Alex Bregman's isolated power.

[Cody Delmendo]

Okay.

[Dan Bernstein]

Which right now is at.122 and his career average is.206.

[Cody Delmendo]

And break that down for the people

[Dan Bernstein]

ISO or isolated power. It's, it's slugging percentage minus batting average. So it's just basically how extra bases, how when you hit the ball, what are you doing more than a single when you're safe. And it's, it's only at 122. Like I said, it's, it's almost half his career. So the reason I brought it up is there was a ball that he hit, I think it was yesterday where off the bat, it seems like everybody involved thought it was gone.

[Matt Abaticola]

I know a player talking about.

[Dan Bernstein]

And, and it just didn't go. So it's, it's one batted ball event. And I'm not going to, I'm not going to overrate it, but I just want to make sure that he's. The pop is still in the bat. It goes back to what the stuff we read a couple of weeks ago from Joe Sheehan about the, the pitches seen going up. Is he up there trying to walk when he gets his pitch and when he barrels up his pitch, those, those are supposed to be home runs.

[Cody Delmendo]

It's certainly something to track and keep a note of because it can go one of two ways that there's a trend that we're seeing happening here with the player. Or all of a sudden you're going to get those doubles and home runs coming in bunches.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah. Who knows? Just something. I just want to keep a base reaction based on the fact that he did everything right in the at bat where you, you work everything and, and you sequence it or you just, you, you have a place where you want that ball. And it looked like he got it and it just. I don't know. I thought, I thought he got it and, and, and just keep an eye on it.

[Matt Abaticola]

For, for anyone who doesn't know, I believe league average ISO is somewhere between like 170 and 180. I want to say. And you said it's 122, so.

[Cody Delmendo]

Yeah.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah. And we've kind of talked about his slow start. He did hit that homer on Friday that was like a no doubter. And I do think the last week that he's had he's, he's, you know, had a handful of extra base hits. That makes me believe he's, he's on his way to, to getting what we think he's going to be. So. But I, I tend to understand where you're, you're coming from with, with the isolated power thing because you know what I mean.

[Dan Bernstein]

The other thing I look at is expected WOBA expected weighted on base based on the stat cast stuff. And it's only 321 which is right in line with his actual at 3:19. So is the ball leaving the bat fast enough at the right angle that

[Cody Delmendo]

maybe, maybe the balls that he was supposed to get Nico was getting early on in the year. 1 One final note for you guys and I don know if, if I looked into this on my own, if I heard it on radio, if I heard it on TV. I had a 12 hour baseball day on Saturday between both boys and then a nine hour day yesterday between both boys. So I was, I was all over the place. The losing streaks that the Phillies and the Mets have had this year so far. I don't know if you guys saw this or heard this again, I don't know if I did this on my own or heard it in one of the broadcasts. The longest losing streak a team has ever had and still made the playoffs. Do you guys hear this anywhere over the weekend?

[Dan Bernstein]

No.

[Cody Delmendo]

No.

[Dan Bernstein]

This is cool.

[Cody Delmendo]

Okay, so there have been four teams in the history of Major League Baseball that have had a 10 game losing streak and still made the playoffs. Only four.

[Dan Bernstein]

And how many of them are in the wild card era?

[Cody Delmendo]

So the 1951 New York Giants.

[Dan Bernstein]

That would be a no.

[Cody Delmendo]

The 1982 Atlanta Braves, the 2017 Dodgers and the 2025 Guardians.

[Dan Bernstein]

I don't know what meaning can be divined from that list. So there interesting one.

[Matt Abaticola]

The 2017 Dodgers went to the World Series.

[Cody Delmendo]

So there were three teams of those four, the Giants, the Braves and the Dodgers who lost 11 consecutive games and still made the playoffs. In Major League Baseball history, there has never ever been a team that has lost 12 games in a row and made the playoffs. The 2026 New York Mets lost 12 games in a row.

[Dan Bernstein]

Wow. Yeah. He Mendoza is the next guy to go.

[Cody Delmendo]

I mean and if the Phillies are to bounce back and get a wild card spot because I don't think, I don't think they'll overtake the Braves anytime soon. This year, if they were to bounce back and get a wild card spot this year, they will be the fifth team ever in Major League Baseball to lose 10 games and make the playoffs.

[Matt Abaticola]

Wow, that's crazy. I mean, coming into the year, I thought the Mets were going to be a top three team in, in the National League.

[Cody Delmendo]

Yeah. And then we talked about this last week, Cody, why it pisses me off that they, that they're playing so shitty, both the Phillies and the Mets is because all the whole argument about. About payroll.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah. Yeah. They're, they're one of the most expensive teams and Ever.

[Cody Delmendo]

Ever.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah. And I understand your reasoning behind it because. Yeah, it would force some of these small market teams to spend more money. And, and then when they go into these owners meetings or collective bargaining agreement meetings once the season is over, they're going to use the Mets as a. Yeah.

[Cody Delmendo]

They're going to say, look at the 2026 Mets. Look at the 2026 Phillies. Look at all the money they've spent on all these players in their payroll. And they're the two worst teams in the National League east right now.

[Matt Abaticola]

And, and there is, this season isn't just that too. I mean, you can look at the Mets a few years ago, the year before they like went to the nlcs. They spent a ton of money on that team and they missed the playoffs as well. And they missed the playoffs last year

[Cody Delmendo]

and it was by, by a game I think they missed.

[Matt Abaticola]

They had, they had their one year where, and it was a, like it was not last season but the season before where they weren't even entering the season with like high expectations. But then they find themselves in the NLCS because, you know, they, they had some young guys kind of pop for them and you know, all kinds of reasons. But yeah, the Mets are, they're the Mets. I don't know how to say it. They're just, they're the Mets.

[Cody Delmendo]

It makes me happy and also frustrated as well, too.

[Matt Abaticola]

Right.

[Cody Delmendo]

Landscape of baseball. What's our, what's our first pitch tonight? Cubs and Padres, 8, 48, 48, 40.

[Dan Bernstein]

First pitch, it's Matthew Boyd against Randy Vasquez, as you mentioned. And I do want to watch to see if Boyd is generating swing and miss in the same way he has been. And I really, I really like that the, the higher part of the zone to his arm side to watch that tonight. See if he can, he can tunnel fastball change and give guys a look using that particular quadrant in a way that he, he hasn't in the past.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah, no, I would like to see that as well because it is something that I'm not used to other than Matthew Boyd in 2026. And whether it's that or I'd like. I've never like demanded this this early in the year, but I need six strong. I need six strong from Matthew Boyd tonight so that Craig Counsel has a. Can actually manage to win the game tonight. That's what I need. I need a real strong start for Matthew Boyd. A guy who made the all star team last year was started Game 1 of the postseason for them last year. A guy who has stepped up in big moments for this team. And I know it's April and we just won 10 in a row, but if you want to win this series against the Padres, they need a big star from him tonight. So that's. I'll.

[Cody Delmendo]

I'll. I'll see your six and I'll raise you seven. Give me, give me seven innings. There you go. Let's alleviate another unknown relief pitcher that, that Craig Council meets for the first time on the mound.

[Matt Abaticola]

There you go. One more thing. Yes, one more thing.

[Dan Bernstein]

You.

[Matt Abaticola]

We were talking about the Mets and how they spend a ton of money. Well, to reverse it, to me, the Red Sox are a good reason that like they're a good example to, to push the point that you guys are trying to make that these teams should spend more money because they could have paid Alex Bregman and instead they have Caleb Durbin at third base who has one of the lowest OPS in, in Major League Baseball right now. And they traded Rafael Devers because they didn't want to pay him. And even though they did pay him, but you knew they didn't want to pay him anymore.

[Cody Delmendo]

Right.

[Matt Abaticola]

And that hasn't worked out. And they entered the season too with what I believe were high expectations. And right now they, they just, they not only they fire Alex Cora, they fire the entire coaching staff.

[Cody Delmendo]

Right.

[Matt Abaticola]

With him.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah, I don't think Craig Breslow may be long for that job.

[Cody Delmendo]

No, he's probably gone in a year.

[Dan Bernstein]

You only get to do this once.

[Cody Delmendo]

Is that Chad Tracy, former Dodgers manager? Am I making that up? Is that. Is that.

[Matt Abaticola]

Is that's who I thought it was, but I didn't go.

[Cody Delmendo]

And yeah, he's the Triple A. Yeah, I heard it in the car yesterday and I just, I forgot about. Until you just brought it up just now. Cody.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah. No, yeah, he was there.

[Cody Delmendo]

He was their AAA manager that is now their, their interim.

[Matt Abaticola]

I. I just feel like they. They. Are they. This coaching staff for the Red Sox, it's, it's a full scapegoat situation. Like, Alex Core is looked at as one of the best managers in the league. He's been with the Red Sox for a long time. He helped them win the World Series in 2018.

[Cody Delmendo]

Oh, dude. I heard someone on Espen yesterday on radio compared his fight. I think it might have been bolster. He said, compared the firing of Alex Cora to if the NFL were to fire Sean McVeigh or Andy Reid.

[Matt Abaticola]

Yeah, I mean, I believe.

[Dan Bernstein]

Rich guy. Yeah. By the way, Jim Tracy was the Dodgers guy.

[Cody Delmendo]

Oh, that's right. Yes.

[Dan Bernstein]

Jim Tracy.

[Cody Delmendo]

All right, so are they related?

[Dan Bernstein]

I. I don't have that in front of me.

[Cody Delmendo]

And what is Craig. What can Craig counsel?

[Dan Bernstein]

No, hold on. This is.

[Cody Delmendo]

Are they really.

[Dan Bernstein]

He's his son.

[Cody Delmendo]

Is it really? Okay, so I was, I was right there.

[Matt Abaticola]

We're on the right path.

[Cody Delmendo]

We're in the family picture now.

[Matt Abaticola]

We just look like old dudes.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yes. This is the son of Jim Tracy.

[Cody Delmendo]

Well, hope for yourself. We are right.

[Dan Bernstein]

Dudes. Very good. I hadn't even thought about that. Wow.

[Matt Abaticola]

But anyways, you know, the Red Sox, they're in a. They're in a really bad spot for a team that has just as high as expectations as the Mets. And, and they're a team that hasn't spent enough money, especially for the market that they're in. So that you can make arguments using teams all you want. There's. There's plenty on both sides.

[Dan Bernstein]

Yeah.

[Cody Delmendo]

And as. As my favorite American League team, I hate to see where they're at right now.

[Matt Abaticola]

Same.

[Dan Bernstein]

And that is off the IV for today on 312Sports, brought to you by Russ Armstrong and Chicago Window Guys, 847-302-9171 and check out their five star reviews at ChicagoNowGuys.com off the Ivy, a Chicago

[Cody Delmendo]

Cubs podcast with Dan Bernstein, Matt Abaticola

[Matt Abaticola]

and Cody Delmendo on 312 Sports. Everybody talked about it since I first moved to Oregon.

[Dan Bernstein]

The big one. The earthquake that trashed the whole West Coast. Total destruction. Officially calling it the largest natural disaster in American history. I just didn't know what would help me next.

[Cody Delmendo]

So I took it all.

[Matt Abaticola]

Even the gun. It was time.

[Dan Bernstein]

Cello American Afterlife presented by Pair of Thieves. The number one fiction and drama podcast in America. Listen wherever you get your favorite podcasts available now. Okay?

[Matt Abaticola]

Real talk Shopping doesn't always boost your confidence.

[Cody Delmendo]

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[Dan Bernstein]

That's why Stitch Fix works.

[Matt Abaticola]

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[Matt Abaticola]

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[Matt Abaticola]

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