North Side Territory: A Chicago Cubs Podcast

Even with their magic number to clinch a postseason spot cut down to one, the Cubs weren’t necessarily in a celebratory mood. The Bregman moment was that unsettling, and his presence is that important to the team. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney share what they heard and saw in Cincinnati, including an interesting update on how the Cubs are already running their bullpen in playoff mode.

Use our code for...

The magic number is dwindling to a point where the Cubs will almost certainly qualify for the playoffs. Maybe it doesn’t matter how they get there. But heading into the final week of the regular season, it’s easy to spot the areas of concern. You also have to acknowledge the good things that put them in this position. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney break it all down, including a full report on th...

Pete Crow-Armstrong appears to be a lock for National League MVP. Alex Bregman continues to show why he was such a coveted free agent. And Shota Imanaga is locked in again. The Cubs would be rolling into the playoffs — if their bullpen wasn’t such a big question mark. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney break it all down after a big series win over the first-place Braves.

Use our code for 10% off your...

The next two weeks will define the Cubs’ season. Making the playoffs is an annual goal that remains within reach, even a likely outcome. But until the first bottle of champagne is popped, the Cubs are going to have to sweat it out with the Phillies, Padres and Diamondbacks. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney break down the state of play in the middle of September. Missing the playoffs would be an organizat...

With the Cubs getting swept out of Milwaukee, it seems like a good time to hear what the fans are thinking. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney answer questions from listeners who want to know: Are Cubs officials as frustrated as Cubs fans when the Brewers are running away with the division title again? Moving forward, how will this late-season slump influence the organization’s strategies around pitcher de...

With the playoffs fast approaching, the Cubs are running out of time to fix their bullpen. The available relief options are also limited in the middle of September. What’s the current mood in the clubhouse? How did it get to this point? And who might be able to help with these issues? The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney share their reporting and insights from Milwaukee.

Shop now at Fabletics.com/Foul and ge...

Another tough loss in Milwaukee spotlighted the gap in the division as well as the manager’s decisions. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney explain what Craig Counsell was thinking and where the Cubs go from here. Within the next three weeks, the Cubs have to figure out their bullpen, finish ahead of the Phillies and try to peak at the right time. Because the Brewers are clearly the class of the NL Central ...

With three weeks remaining in the regular season, Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney assess where the Cubs stand on Labor Day, and how they would match up against the first-place Brewers in a potential playoff rematch. The Athletic beat writers also provide information on the state of the pitching staff, as the Cubs have to prepare for the possibility of making it through four postseason rounds. Who would you trust to start a playof...

Who would you trust to pitch the late innings of a big game at Wrigley Field? That’s the dilemma facing Cubs manager Craig Counsell and his coaches as they try to get a group of relievers back on track before the playoffs. With the Brewers holding a commanding lead in the division and the Phillies surging in the wild-card race, The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney examine the club’s options moving forw...

The PCA Show captivated some of the greatest players in franchise history, who gathered at Wrigley Field over the weekend for a 150th anniversary celebration. Not only has Crow-Armstrong moved ahead of Shohei Ohtani in the National League MVP race, he’s also put himself in the best-season-ever conversation for a club that was founded in 1876. Still, there are areas of concerns as the Cubs enter the final month of the regular ...

Ahead of a big weekend at Wrigley Field, where the Cubs are holding a 150th anniversary celebration, Jon Lester returns to the show to give his perspective on the current team, which just returned from a difficult road trip. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney chat with Lester about Pete Crow-Armstrong’s emotional reaction and pointed comments after a blown balk call. Lester also gives a scouting report on ...

After a 2-4 road trip through Seattle and Arizona, the Cubs look like a team that could use a day off in Chicago. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney share their reporting and observations on PCA’s explosion after a blown balk call and Brown’s setback, which casts doubt on his ability to return this season. Plus, an updated look at Craig Counsell’s circle of trust and how the Cubs will try to ge...

In a moment that demonstrated both the team’s sense of urgency and impressive roster depth, Cubs manager Craig Counsell made Shota Imanaga’s last start the shortest outing of his major-league career, not messing around at this stage of the playoff race. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney break down what it means for Imanaga, Counsell and the plans for October. Plus, reporting from the dugout and the ...

With newfound depth and a number of pitchers working their way back into the roster conversations, the Cubs are facing a series of difficult decisions as they gear up for the stretch run. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney talk through what they’re hearing about the pitching plans for the rest of the season, Game 1 of the playoffs and potentially multiple postseason rounds. Who’s in? Who’s out?...

Chicago sports fans were treated to an awesome spectacle at Wrigley Field with two dramatic walk-offs, a nasty fight in the bleachers that went viral and unforgettable individual performances that made you wonder what it would be like if these two teams somehow met in October. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney share their reporting from the North Side with insights into managers’ decisions, Seiya Suzuki&r...

PCA created another signature moment for the highlight reels attached to his MVP campaign and this crosstown rivalry. That walk-off homer against the White Sox was only the latest example of his magical season, which has elevated his teammates as well as the entire organization. The Cubs need that presence while covering for the absence of Gold Glove shortstop Dansby Swanson and Edward Cabrera’s disappointing year. The Athlet...

With the Cubs rolling into the stretch run, The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney are back to answer your questions. Does this team have enough left in the tank to overtake the Brewers? How will Craig Counsell and his coaches rearrange the pitching staff once Edward Cabrera and Ben Brown are healthy? Who’s closing the first playoff game? How will the front office replace Seiya Suzuki if he walks as a free age...

Jon Lester returns to the show for another wide-ranging conversation with The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney. After attending the 10-year reunion for the 2016 World Series team at Wrigley Field, Lester gives his scouting report on the 2026 Cubs, how they match up with the Dodgers and what works in October. Lester also explains the clubhouse dynamics before and after the trade deadline, plus how the Dodgers recru...

While the Cubs are absorbed in the playoff race, this period after the trade deadline is a good time to reassess the organization’s future. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney break down the roster, the upcoming free agents and some internal replacements on the horizon. Could Ian Happ and/or Seiya Suzuki stick around next season? Would the Cubs consider flanking Pete Crow-Armstrong with Pedro Ramírez and Ma...