Skip to main content

Cubs, Cardinals, and Real Baseball Talk — Why This Rivalry Still Matters

 

There’s something refreshing about being able to sit down with somebody who roots for your biggest rival and actually have an intelligent conversation about baseball. That’s exactly what happened on Season 3 Episode 7 of The Shawn Mackey Show when Soup joined me again to break down the National League Central, the Chicago Cubs, the St. Louis Cardinals, and where this MLB season could be heading.

As a lifelong Cubs fan, I’ll admit it — I’m frustrated. Even with the Cubs sitting near the top of the division, I still don’t fully trust this team. Last season is burned into my memory. The Cubs held the division lead deep into the summer before completely collapsing late in the year. That’s why I’m not getting overly excited yet, even during winning streaks.

One of the biggest topics we discussed was Craig Counsell and some of the questionable managerial decisions being made during games that goes all the way back to 2024. I truly believe the Cubs are winning in spite of certain moves, not because of them. Whether it’s leaving pitchers in too long, pulling starters too early, or constantly shuffling the lineup, there are moments where the team succeeds simply because the players overcome bad decisions.

Soup brought a great perspective from the Cardinals side too. St. Louis may not have superstar-level expectations this year, but their young players are competing hard and playing with energy. Mason Wynn, Jordan Walker, and several younger pieces are finally starting to show signs of what Cardinals fans hoped they could become. Even though Soup predicts the Cardinals eventually settle near the middle of the pack, he sees real hope for the future.

We also talked about how baseball fans need to learn how to disagree without acting ridiculous. Cubs fans and Cardinals fans should be able to debate baseball intelligently without turning every conversation into personal attacks. Rivalries are supposed to be fun. They’re supposed to create debate, passion, and respect for the game itself.

Another major topic was pitching philosophy in modern baseball. We compared today’s managers to old-school legends like Tony La Russa and Bobby Cox — guys who always seemed one step ahead of the game. We even discussed Greg Maddux and how a pitcher throwing under 90 MPH could dominate simply because of intelligence, control, and understanding hitters better than anyone else.

That’s what this episode really became about: baseball IQ, leadership, coaching, and how the mental side of sports still matters more than people realize.

We wrapped things up by making our full NL Central predictions, debating Milwaukee’s consistency, Cincinnati’s struggles, Pittsburgh’s inability to sustain momentum, and whether the Cubs can finally avoid another late-season collapse.

If you love real baseball talk without screaming matches and hot-take nonsense, this episode is definitely one you’ll want to check out.

Watch and subscribe here:
The Shawn Mackey Show YouTube Channel
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Super Bowl Recap & Chicago Bears Legends: Building Toward Season 3 of The Shawn Mackey Show

  Season 2, Episode 25 marked the final episode of the season—and it delivered a mix of Super Bowl analysis, Chicago Bears history, and big announcements for Season 3 . From breaking down championship football strategy to honoring iconic Bears players who shaped a generation, this episode blended modern NFL insight with old-school defensive grit. As the show transitions into a more video-focused format, the future promises deeper analysis, graphics breakdowns, and even a Cubs vs. Cardinals rivalry segment with a new contributor. Let’s break it all down. This year’s Super Bowl reinforced a timeless football formula: Elite defense Ball control offense Minimize turnovers Take the points Seattle’s defense proved dominant, applying consistent pressure and forcing critical mistakes. While the opposing quarterback showed flashes, inconsistency and turnovers proved costly. On the other side, the offense stuck to fundamentals—run the ball, control possession, and capitalize ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Breaking Down the Chicago Bears: Key Lessons from a Tough Season Finale

 The Chicago Bears faced a challenging season finale against the Detroit Lions, leaving fans with mixed emotions and plenty to discuss. In this blog post, we will analyze the game and draw valuable lessons that can impact the Bears' future performance.  1. The Game Overview   The Bears’ season finale against the Lions was nothing short of a roller coaster. The game was marked by a series of ups and downs, culminating in a heartbreaking loss. Shawn Mackey, the podcast host, reflected on the game’s events, highlighting the Bears’ offensive struggles and defensive lapses that ultimately led to their defeat.  2. Offensive Struggles   One of the key takeaways from the game was the Bears' inability to capitalize on opportunities. In the fourth quarter, despite a valiant effort to tie the game, the Bears could not secure a field goal range, managing only three plays and five yards before punting. Mackey questioned the decision-making in that crucial moment, s...
Post a Comment
Read more

Why Our MLB Predictions Might Make Some Fans Mad (And That’s Okay)

  I’m not going to lie—this episode of The Shawn Mackey Show might ruffle some feathers. But honestly? That’s what makes baseball great. In Season 3, Episode 5, I sat down with Robert “Soup” Campbell, and we did something every baseball fan loves… we made bold predictions for the National League. And yeah, we didn’t exactly play it safe. We talked MVP, Cy Young, and Rookie of the Year—but more importantly, we talked REAL baseball. Not just stats. Not just analytics. The eye test. The feel of the game. The stuff you only understand if you’ve lived it. I’ll be the first to admit—I even went a little “homer” with one of my picks. But if you’re not passionate about your team, what’s the point? We broke down players like seasoned fans, debated modern baseball versus old-school fundamentals, and called out what we think is wrong with today’s game. Too much analytics. Not enough instinct. And I stand by that. One of the biggest things we hit on? Baseball isn’t just numbers on a screen. I...
Post a Comment
Read more