The Cardinals and Cubs are winning—and the ToR crew is actually in a good mood. For now. Before diving into baseball, the guys kick things off with a detour into movies and TV, living up to their promise: “everything you want to hear, from the big sports to the big screen.” Expect unsolicited recommendations, sharp takes, and Pete’s signature brand…

Pete's back, and he has questions. With Elliott mere hours away from vacation and madly packing the Family Truckster, Ron and Pete dive deep into the world of baseball and beyond, tackling everything from the clown show in St. Louis to the Cubs' continued early-season success to the Cardinals' surprising stretch of good baseball. The show starts wi…

With Pete out, Ron and Elliott get to go wild on Star Wars talk, but not before covering some interesting ground on the baseball front. MLB reinstates Pete Rose, Shoeless Joe Jackson, and others. The Cubs call up one of their top prospects, Cade Horton, while sending Ian Happ to the IL (which will make Pete HAPP-y). The Cardinals are on a nine-game…

Ron and Pete trade places this week, with Pete in the role of Road Warrior, checking in from Orlando, Florida. That's why this week's pod recorded during their original Thursday night slot. With both the Cubs and Cardinals nearing Ron's critical 40-game mark, it's only a little too early for the guys to engage in a spirited debate about the perform…

This week, the Team discusses the Cubs’ impressive early-season performance, having navigated the toughest schedule in baseball to sit six games over .500. The hosts marvel at the Cubs’ 9-0 thrashing of the Pirates, highlighting breakout performances from Carson Kelly and Pete Crow-Armstrong, while debating whether this team echoes the 2015 Cubs’ u…

Dive into the electric energy of this week's episode, as Ron, Elliot, and Pete deliver a rollicking blend of sports, nostalgia, and unfiltered banter. The trio dives headfirst into the MLB season, breaking down the Cubs’ red-hot offense and basepath chaos that’s got fans buzzing, while dissecting the Cardinals’ pitching woes and looming trade deadl…

This week, the Team discusses the Cubs' surprising roster moves, including Matt Shaw's demotion to Triple-A and the implications for prospects like Gage Workman. They debate Shaw's unorthodox batting stance, drawing comparisons to legends like Stan Musial and Barry Bonds, while unpacking the team's strategy against a tough upcoming pitching schedul…

After two weeks "off", Ron, Elliott, and Pete reunite for a lively discussion about the latest in Major League Baseball. The guys kick things off with a light-hearted chat about Yohel Pozo, the recent passing of Octavio Dotel, and the dangerous of MLBers in the Dominican Republic. They eventually dive into the current state of the Cubs and the Card…

Ron takes the reins this week as Pete ventures out west to catch the Chicago Cubs in action at the temporary A's complex in Sacramento. Joined by co-host Elliott and special guest Don Glenn from Gateway Sports, the trio dives into the excitement of the MLB opening weekend. They discuss the surprising start to the season, including the undefeated Do…

In this episode of the Team of Rivals Podcast, we take a deep dive into the current state of the St. Louis Cardinals as the 2025 season approaches. With Ron away on the road, Elliott and Pete are joined by special guest Derek King to discuss the palpable apathy among Cardinals fans and the looming changes in the organization. They dissect the end o…

In this week's episode, the guys dive headfirst into the "excitement" of the 2025 MLB season kickoff! With Ron logging in remotely from a convention in Orlando, Pete and Elliott kick things off with a lively discussion about the Cubs’ frustrating first loss to the Dodgers in Tokyo. The duo reflects on the early morning game, the challenges of inter…

It's a special Sunday evening episode of the Team of Rivals Podcast this week. Exciting things lie ahead for the formerly UNDEFEATED Cubs, the UNDEFEATED City FC, and the Star Wars franchise. (Well, maybe not the latter.) In this lively episode, Ron, Elliott, and Pete tackle the latest in sports and pop culture with their signature humor and insigh…

Pitchers and catchers have reported, Nolan Arenado is still a Cardinal, and Alex Bregman is now a Red Sock. Ron, Elliott, and Pete bring their usual highly rational takes to the latest in MLB on this special Presidents' Day episode. After the obligatory baseball talk, this week's conversation turns to pop culture, chess, and Ron's Soccer minute. • …

What did we do to deserve this? In this Cards-heavy episode of the Team of Rivals Podcast, Ron, Elliott, and Pete are joined by special guests Holy Elle and Dan Buffa for a deep dive into the current state of St. Louis Cardinals baseball. The conversation kicks off with Ron expressing his frustrations about the team's stagnant offseason, drawing pa…

Ron, Elliott, and Pete dive into the lackluster offseason for the St. Louis Cardinals, with Ron expressing his disinterest in this year's Winter Warm-Up and the team's failure to make significant moves. The guys discuss the ambiguous "reset" strategy announced by the Cardinals' management, questioning what it really means for the future of the team…

In this fiery episode of the Team of Rivals Podcast, Ron, Elliott, and Pete tear into the latest MLB drama with all the fire and flair you’d expect. It kicks off with Ron going off on the Dodgers' controversial signing of Roki Sasaki, sparking a heated debate about the growing imbalance in the game. Ron’s so fed up with baseball’s direction, he mig…

This week, Ron, Pete, and Elliott explores Jim Bowden's recent article grading MLB teams' offseasons, sparking a debate on whether the Cubs truly deserve an A-minus and if the Cardinals' inactivity justifies their F grade. They delve into the implications of team movements, the Cubs' bullpen needs, and the Cardinals' potential trade scenarios. Swit…

Welcome to the first Team of Rivals Podcast episode of 2025! Ron, Elliott, and Pete kick off the new year with a passionate discussion on the state of Major League Baseball and the ongoing struggles of their beloved teams. The guys dive into the Cubs' financial constraints and the impact of institutional investors on team operations, questioning wh…

The Team of Rivals is back with a lively holiday episode, diving deep into the world of baseball and beyond. Ron, Elliott, Pete, and special guest Braden discuss the latest happenings with the Cubs and Cardinals, including the Cubs' exciting offseason moves and the Cardinals' puzzling retooling strategy. The guys debate the implications of the Card…

Ron, Pete, and Elliott are back after a long hiatus – just in time for the season's final episode. With the Chicago Bears making headlines by firing head coach Matt Eberflus, the Team of Rivals Podcast dives into the implications of this major shakeup. Could this be the turning point for the franchise? The guys debate the Bears' future and discuss …

The morning after the Cubs make a major offseason move, Ron and Pete jump on, even though Elliott is nowhere to be found. Yes, they're going to go deep on the Cubs' signing of Carson Kelly on Friday night. In this week's episode, the founders kick off Season Nine of the podcast with a lively discussion on the Cubs' surprising acquisition of Kyle…

Elliott, Ron, and Pete wrap up the 2024 season. Smiles, everybody! This week, we dive into the state of the St. Louis Cardinals' player development. Katie Woo’s latest article in The Athletic reveals that the Cardinals' player development team is significantly smaller compared to other National League teams, raising concerns about their future. Ron…

While there's little left of the 2024 MLB season – for the Cubs and the Cards anyway – today's episode is dedicated to honoring the legendary James Earl Jones. His passing warrants a special episode, as his voice has been a constant throughout Ron's and Pete's lives, from the big screen to their favorite sports moments. (We assume the same is true …

It's a joyous time in Chicago because – despite their miniscule playoff odds – the Cubs have been playing fun baseball. However, there is no joy in Mudville, as one of the National League's crown jewels is experiencing shocking levels of disinterest from the Best Fans in Baseball™. How much longer can DW Sticks put up with the incompetence of a fro…

While the regular season is winding down for both the Cubs and the Cardinals, Ron and Pete have plenty to discuss. From inside-the-park home runs to Campfire Milkshakes, from six-inning minimums to Ron's Soccer Minute, it's still a full episode (even without Elliott). The Team kicks things off with an exhilarating inside-the-park home run by Pete C…

Do you remember the innocent days of April, when all five NL Central teams were over .500? Well, reality has hit hard, and now only one team is above .500, with both the Cubs and the Cards struggling. Ron risks a demotion as he gets utterly embarrassed by an on-time and ready-to-perform Elliott. With Ron conspicuously absent, the first half of the …

This week's show is dedicated to Ruby Jade Nuttall. SPOILER ALERT: Elliott was, indeed, drunk already. Ron and Pete hold down the fort this week, kicking off the episode by discussing the MLB trade deadline, with Ron admitting he didn’t follow it closely. The conversation then shifts to the Cubs and Cardinals, who wrap up their season series tonigh…

This week's episode kicks off with a discussion on the upcoming MLB trade deadline. With just three days left, the Ron, Elliott, and Pete speculate on potential moves for the Cubs and Cardinals. They analyze the trade rumors surrounding numerous Cubs players. Next, the team shifts gears to discuss the blackout issues with MLB.TV and Ron's frustrati…

The I-55 Rivalry resumes, the All-Star Break looms, and Ron, Pete, and even Elliott dive into the chaos of a Saturday doubleheader, where the Cubs have already taken a beating, and it's only the fourth inning of Game 1. They kick things off with a recap of the Cubs' disastrous start and the Cardinals' surprising lead. Ron and Pete discuss the misha…

In this week's episode, we mark a momentous day in Team of Rivals history – Elliott was in the room before Ron! We kick things off with some friendly banter about Ron's ongoing tech struggles, Elliott's surprising punctuality, and the scorching weather in Charlotte. But don't worry, we quickly shift gears to tackle some hot-button topics in the wor…

In this special bonus episode of the Team of Rivals Podcast, we break from our usual schedule to bring you an in-depth conversation with Pete's friend and Dirty Dirty White Sox Fan, Alex Levine. As both the Cubs and Cardinals struggle to stay relevant, we dive into the dismal state of Chicago White Sox baseball and explore the emotional turmoil of …

After a two-week hiatus, the Team returns – with a remote call-in by Elliott! – to discuss the miserable state of baseball in the NL Central, the retirement of Angel Hernandez, and more. First up, Ron and Pete tackle the current state of the NL Central. It's no secret that the division has been struggling, and they break down exactly why it's been …

In this week's episode, Ron and Pete tackle a whirlwind of topics, all while Pete battles a severe case of sleep deprivation. From managing a thousand kids at the Field Museum and Navy Pier, to the disappointment of a rained-out Cardinals vs. Cubs game, the duo navigates through a myriad of sports and personal anecdotes. They dive into the implicat…

In this May the 4th special, the Team of Rivals Podcast takes the celebration outdoors, embracing the beauty of Chicago's spring while diving headfirst into the world of sports and Star Wars. With Elliott MIA once again, Ron and Pete hold down the fort, discussing everything from the Cardinals' broadcast woes to the Cubs' unexpected position in the…

We're all over the map this week – from technology tantrums to the state of the Cardinals, from Kyle Hendricks' decline to the NL Central's predictability. Ron vents about Wirecast woes and flings furniture, while Pete ponders whether it's time for the Cubs to cut ties with their soft-tossing stalwart. Plus, Elliott makes a surprise call-in from th…

Despite some (unsurprising and inevitable) technical hiccups and the absence of our Permanent Occasional Guest Host, Elliott, Ron and Pete take the reins to dissect the highs and lows of the baseball world, from the Cardinals' tenuous position in the NL Central race to the Cubs' surprising tenacity. The duo delves into the curious case of ticket sa…

Happy Holiday to Elliott and all who celebrate! Ron and Pete press on even as the Permanent Occasional Guest Host lives up to his title on a Saturday morning. The founders dissect the latest from the diamond, including the Cardinals' offensive woes and the White Sox's historic struggle at the plate. Is St. Louis's lack of run production just a phas…

Gear up for another high-octane episode of the Team of Rivals Podcast, because the guys got up early on a Saturday because … well, just because!! Your favorite trio of die-hard baseball enthusiasts dissect the latest twists and turns of MLB with their signature blend of insight (ha!) and irreverence. Ron, Elliott, and Pete dive headfirst into the r…

Buckle up, baseball aficionados, as the Team of Rivals Podcast unpacks the latest and greatest (or perhaps the worst) from MLB, including the bombshell that Shohei Ohtani and the Dodgers might be the sport's biggest villains. The Cubs, on the other hand, are proving to be a delightful surprise, earning the title of one of the most objectively enjoy…

Step up to the plate with the Team of Rivals as they tackle the highs and lows of MLB's opening day. The Cardinals may have had a rough start against the Dodgers, but Ron, Elliott, and Pete aren't losing hope just yet. They're breaking down the Cardinals' struggle against the Dodgers and the Cubs' face-off with the World Series champion Rangers. Th…

Strap in for a rollercoaster ride as Ron, Elliott, and Pete tackle the elephant in the room amid a sea of MLB chaos. In this episode, we're bypassing the usual banter on injuries and player movements to zone in on the Shohei Ohtani saga that's got the baseball world holding its breath. Is the golden boy of the Los Angeles Dodgers in a gambling mess…

It's been a month since Ron, Elliott, and Pete have been willing to record, so they try their best to understand why. They discuss Scott Boras finally overplaying his hand, X/Twitter, Rob Manfred, and the new Nike jerseys, but it ultimately comes down to a lack of interest. You see, baseball has lost that lovin' feelin', and the guys try to get to …

The title says it all: THE WORST episode in our history, and the bar was already pretty low. (Let's be honest: It's all Pete's fault.) Where has our motivation gone for baseball? Ron, Elliott, and Pete try to figure out once again why they've lost their connection to our national pastime, while simultaneously mining the incredibly interesting topic…

Cubs' fans inner fire got lit this week, but is that wise? The Cubs guys think so, but Ron throws some shade because he's seen this before (and he's a dick!) Former and current Cardinals pitchers are talking about Wilson Contreras and the tire tracks they left on his back last year. They are saying the right things now, but why didn't they do so la…

The whole Team assembles this week to kick off the start of Season 8! Ron, Elliott, and Pete (with an assist from Ron's son, Braden) cover a lot of territory on this episode. In the midst of a potentially pivotal offseason, the Cardinals announce … a concert. Are the Cubs going to do anything with what's left of free agency? The fans on both sides …

How about a little holiday cheer while you prep for your New Year celebrations? One week before Shohei Ohtani signed with the Dodgers, Ron and Pete jumped on to lament how frozen the market has been because of Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. And while he’s willing to admit that he was wrong about Ohtani’s skill level, Ron is not a fan. Same g…

In a super double secret probation type of way, Jed Hoyer pulled off a doozy right before this year's GM meetings. Nobody saw it coming, not even the "insiders": Craig Counsell is the new manager of the Chicago Cubs. He'll move 90 miles south and be $40 million richer for it. Be warned, though: A relationship with the Cubs can get weird. Just ask D…

On the final Thursday of the regular season, Ron and Pete jumped on to discuss the Cubs' collapse and the impending end of the 2023 season. "God does not want us to be in the playoffs this year." And while Elliott didn't join with a live report from Atlanta, he did send a drunken message to you, the "Team of Rivals Peoples". The guys discuss the of…

As the baseball season fizzles out, Ron and Pete get a chance to do a face-to-face show for the first time in five years. Yeah, it was kinda weird … and the Bears suck. They talk about the rapidly-approaching end to the 2023 baseball season: Will the Cubs hang on to a playoff spot, and is there anything left to say about the Cardinals that hasn't a…

Team of Rivals on a Sunday?!?! When there's this much news to cover, Ron, Elliott, and Pete just can't wait until Thursday. So here you are, a rare Sunday episode that talks about the big unicorn in the room, a terrible hand of Cards, too much analytics, Jordan WicKKKKKKKKKs, City SC, and the embarrassment on the South Side of Chicago. You heard a …