It's Tuesday evening here at BCB After Dark: the swinging-est spot for night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. So glad you decided to stop by. You're always welcome here. I'm sure we can find a table for you. Let us know if you need anything. The show will start shortly. Bring your own beverage.

BCB After Dark is the place for you to talk baseball, music, movies, or anything else you need to get off your chest, as long as it is within the rules of the site. The late-nighters are encouraged to get the party started, but everyone else is invited to join in as you wake up the next morning and into the afternoon.

After Monday's heartbreaking loss, the Cubs pummelled the Marlins tonight, 14-1. When this team's offense is clicking, they are unstoppable. If the offense takes a night off, then it's up to a bullpen that we'll be talking about later.

Last night I asked you if the Cubs should be interested in acquiring Rockies third baseman Ryan McMahon. That idea went over like a lead balloon, as 92 percent of you said "No."

On Tuesday night/Wednesday morning, I don't do movie essays. But I do have time for some tunes, so those of you who skip that can do so now. You won't hurt my feelings.

Nowadays these four musicians are the establishment, the elder statesmen of jazz. But back in 1994, when this video was recorded, they were the Young Turks shaking up that same establishment. This is the Joshua Redman Quartet, with Redman on sax, Brian Blades on drums, Christian McBride on bass and Brad Mehldau on piano.

Welcome back to everyone who skips all that jazz.

It's hard to complain about the Cubs right now with a 29-20 record, which works out to a 95-win season. The offense is the highest-scoring in the majors. The defense is strong at almost every position. The starting pitching, while battered, is still hanging together.

Of course, there's the bullpen where nothing has gone as planned. Ryan Pressly, who was brought in the closer, has been shaky. The backup option and last year's closer, Porter Hodge, is now injured. Julian Merryweather, whom the Cubs were counting on after an injury-filled 2024, is proving to be not someone you can count on.

On the other hand, there have been some pleasant surprises. Brad Keller, who wasn't on anyone's radar coming into the season as a non-roster invitee, has been terrific. Drew Pomeranz, who hadn't pitched in the majors since 2021 and who started the year in the Mariners organization, has been a revelation since coming over for "cash considerations." Veteran lefty Caleb Thielbar, almost an afterthought as a minor free agent singing after a long career with the Twins, has been everything the Cubs could have hoped for.

The Cubs woes as to who should be the closer is something you are all familiar with. If you aren't, please check out Sara Sanchez's piece on that subject from earlier today. But tonight, I'm not going to ask you who you think should close. Until someone establishes themselves or the Cubs make a trade, that's probably going to be determined by matchups. Instead, I'm going to ask you who you think the Cubs' best reliever is, regardless of role. If the bases are loaded with one out in the sixth, which reliever would make you the least nervous? Who do you want facing Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts in the eighth inning?

Daniel Palencia may have melted down on Monday and gotten the loss against the Marlins, but he was one pitch (and about six inches from Kyle Tucker) away from getting the save. He's made huge strides in his control this year. Chris Flexen has only pitched nine innings for the Cubs, but he's only given up six hits and no runs.

So as of right now, who is the best reliever on the Cubs?

Thanks for stopping by tonight. The place is always better with you around. Please get home safely. Tell your friends about us. Recycle any cans and bottles. Tip your waitstaff. And join us again tomorrow night for more BCB After Dark.