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Cubs Questions, WBC Drama & Bears Rebuild Talk | Season 3 Episode 3

 This week on The Shawn Mackey Show, I found myself diving headfirst into uncertainty—and honestly, that’s the theme right now for both the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago Bears.

Let’s start with the Cubs, because the biggest concern right now is Seiya Suzuki. After his injury in the World Baseball Classic, we’re stuck in a frustrating “wait and see” situation. There hasn’t been imaging yet, and that alone is enough to make any fan uneasy. Knee injuries are tricky, and even something as simple as a bruise can linger longer than expected. At this point, Opening Day availability is a real question mark.

And that leads to a bigger issue—depth in the outfield. If Suzuki misses time, now we’re looking at guys like Dylan Carlson, Michael Conforto, and even Matt Shaw potentially stepping into larger roles. That changes everything. What once felt like competition now feels like necessity.

Speaking of the World Baseball Classic, I’ve got mixed feelings. It’s incredible to watch the best players in the world compete for their countries, but playing it during spring training comes with risks. We’ve already seen injuries pile up, and it makes you wonder if the timing is doing more harm than good for MLB teams preparing for the season.

Then there’s the controversy—Team USA nearly missing the knockout round due to confusing tiebreaker scenarios, questionable managerial decisions, and even a debated strike call that could’ve changed everything. Add in the lack of an automated ball-strike system, and it shows how far the game still has to go with consistency and technology.

Which brings me to a bigger conversation—technology in sports. MLB is preparing to implement the automated ball-strike challenge system in 2026, and I’m torn. On one hand, it could fix crucial missed calls. On the other, are we taking too much away from the human element of the game? I’ve seen firsthand how officiating can impact outcomes—and not always for the better.

In fact, I shared a personal story from my time as an umpire, and it’s something that stuck with me. I reached a point where frustration, pressure, and the environment led me to make a call I wasn’t proud of. That moment ultimately made me walk away from umpiring altogether. It’s a reminder that officiating is human—and flawed—but also that accountability matters.

Switching gears to the Bears, there’s clearly a shift happening. Ryan Poles is reshaping the roster again, this time to better fit defensive coordinator Dennis Allen’s system. And that means tough decisions.

The addition of Garrett Bradbury brings reliability to the offensive line, especially reuniting him with Joe Thuney. But let’s be honest—there are still concerns, especially at left tackle. It feels like a position the Bears could have upgraded more aggressively.

What stands out most is how scheme-driven this rebuild has become. We’re seeing players moved not necessarily because they lack talent, but because they don’t “fit.” That’s a risky approach, especially when you’re constantly resetting instead of building continuity.

At the end of the day, both the Cubs and Bears are surrounded by question marks right now. From injuries and roster battles to coaching philosophies and player development, there’s a lot still to be figured out.

And as fans, all we can do is watch it unfold—and hope the answers come sooner rather than later.

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