North Side Territory: a Chicago Cubs podcast

With the World Series nearing a conclusion, The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney take questions from listeners to give Cubs fans a preview of what to expect this winter. This edition of the mailbag gives insights into Jed Hoyer’s front office, the shape of the 2026 pitching staff and which players might be up for a contract extension. Follow North Side Territory all offseason for the latest news and notes on the Cubs.

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The Cubs are probably going to pour their resources into the pitching staff this offseason. Without making any moves, the club could right now put together a competitive 2026 Opening Day lineup. But where’s the fun in that? The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney go over the names you need to know this winter – and there are several familiar faces on this list of hitters with the potential to take the Cubs to the next level.

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Already shifting into offseason mode, it’s not too early to start thinking about which pitchers the Cubs will be targeting this winter, both via trades and the free-agent market. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney give you five names to consider, based on their reporting and institutional knowledge, as well as the reasons why (or why not) they would fit into the organization’s plans. After a shortened playoff run that exposed some issues with Chicago’s pitching staff, this will be a clear area of focus.

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After winning a playoff round and then losing to a small-market rival, the Cubs are trying to build a team for the next level, which would mean finishing ahead of the Brewers in the division and seriously competing for a World Series trophy. Changes to the roster are inevitable. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney give you their best guesses on who won’t be back, and how the front office is looking at this offseason opportunity.

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After processing Jed Hoyer’s entire end-of-season news conference, The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney share their latest takeaways. The answers (and non-answers) from Chicago’s president of baseball operations were telling. The Wrigley Field interview room provided a good snapshot of where the Cubs are as an organization (and where they still have to go). The offseason will revolve around Shota Imanaga’s complicated contract decisions, a rebuild of the pitching staff and the Kyle Tucker situation. North Side Territory will have it all covered.

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The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney take you inside the visiting clubhouse in Milwaukee, where Cubs players processed the disappointing end to a good (but not great) season. What happened against the Brewers? How is there a chance that Kyle Tucker comes back to Wrigley Field? And where does the front office turn its focus now? Listen to North Side Territory throughout the offseason for the latest information.

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In winning two elimination games, the Cubs put the pressure back on the Brewers as this National League Division Series returns to Milwaukee. The fans sensed the moment, too, chanting “Fred-dy! Fred-dy!” as Ian Happ finally delivered his signature postseason moment against Brewers ace Freddy Peralta. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney share their reporting and insights from the clubhouse, getting you set up for the decisive Game 5 as October rolls on.

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Fans will get at least one more night of playoff baseball at Wrigley Field this year. An electric atmosphere greeted the Cubs on Wednesday as they returned home facing an 0-2 deficit in their best-of-five National League Division Series against the rival Brewers. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney share their takeaways from Game 3, outline the pitching plans for Thursday’s Game 4 and identify what has to happen in order for the Cubs to advance.

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What a letdown for Cubs fans, and a team that believed it could do something special. A National League Division Series that began with so much promise and potential has fizzled out, at least from a Chicago perspective. The Brewers keep showing why they were the best team in baseball during the regular season, and how this is playing out has to be embarrassing for the Cubs as an organization. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney break it all down with their insights straight from the visiting clubhouse in Milwaukee.

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After all the hype surrounding this grudge match, the Brewers came out and completely dominated the Cubs at the start of this National League Division Series. What just happened? How do the Cubs regroup? Where does this best-of-five matchup go from here? The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney are reporting from Milwaukee, giving you insights directly from the field and the clubhouse.

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The Cubs are fully in postseason mode, making spectacular defensive plays, deploying their bullpen aggressively, and spraying champagne and beer all over the clubhouse. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney take you behind the scenes to explain the moments won the Wild Card Series that eliminated the Padres, and describe the current vibes in the clubhouse. Plus, a look ahead to a must-see series in Milwaukee, where Craig Counsell will return as the villain and try to end the Brewers’ magical season.

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What was Craig Counsell thinking? And does it really matter when the offense scores zero runs? The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney are back to break down Game 2 of a National League Wild Card Series that suddenly shifted when San Diego’s stars came out at Wrigley Field and the Cubs’ curious pitching plans did not work out. It’s also time to look ahead and identify what will determine the elimination game.

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What an atmosphere. In taking control of their National League Wild Card Series, the Cubs restored the big-game energy at the Friendly Confines. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney break down Tuesday’s Game 1 win over the Padres. Between the huge swings by Seiya Suzuki and Carson Kelly, Craig Counsell’s bullpen usage and Dansby Swanson’s momentum-shifting defense, the Cubs showed their blueprint for October.

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There’s a full scouting report within this Wild Card crossover episode between North Side Territory and Friar Territory. Who's going to be the hero (or the goat)? Which team has the pitching edge? Will home-field advantage matter? Kyle Glaser, Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney break down the star personalities, matchups and X-factors that will decide this best-of-three series at Wrigley Field.

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Maybe there’s a scenario in which Cade Horton throws another pitch for the Cubs this year. But for now, the club is operating under the assumption that Horton will be unavailable until at least the National League Championship Series. And that’s only if the Cubs advance that far and Horton recovers from a fractured rib in time. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney detail the Horton situation and how the Cubs are planning for their wild-card matchup against the Padres.

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The Cubs still want to make sure this wild-card series will be played at Wrigley Field, but their playoff opponent is now set. In some ways, the Padres are a lot like the Cubs heading into the postseason. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney give you their early scouting report and the storylines they are already monitoring, beginning with Cade Horton’s status, Shota Imanaga’s recent struggles and why Moisés Ballesteros is someone who could step up in a big moment.

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How concerned should Cubs fans be right now? The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney try to separate it all out during the final week of the regular season. Instead of cruising into the playoffs, the Cubs are dealing with a Cade Horton situation and a still uncertain timeline for Kyle Tucker. There is also added context around Matt Shaw’s decision to miss a game and attend Charlie Kirk’s memorial service.

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Following their big celebration in Pittsburgh, the Cubs were swept out of Cincinnati. The final week of the regular season continues with the Cubs on their longest losing streak of the year. How concerned should Cubs fans be right now? The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney share what they’re hearing in and around the clubhouse as October approaches.

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Is the offense still a concern heading into the playoffs? And why would anyone other than Cade Horton start Game 1 for the Cubs? The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney dig into those questions and more, assessing a lineup that’s missing Kyle Horton, and tracking Horton’s development into one of the sport’s best young pitchers. Internally, those postseason conversations have already begun.

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The Cubs are advancing to the postseason for the first time since 2020, an achievement that the team celebrated wildly in Pittsburgh. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney take you behind the scenes to capture the sights, sounds and smells from PNC’s visiting clubhouse. The moment revealed so many parts of the team’s identity, and served as a reminder that these opportunities should never be taken for granted.

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It feels inevitable. The Cubs are so close to clinching their first playoff berth since 2020 that even the people in uniform are thinking ahead and looking beyond that night’s game. For a behind-the-scenes perspective on what it’s like in the clubhouse right now, listen to The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney. The beat reporters explain how Cubs manager Craig Counsell is lining up the pitching staff for October, and why Pete Crow-Armstrong is looking forward to a reset in the playoffs. Plus: Is it time to be concerned about Kyle Tucker yet?

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With the playoffs approaching, you have questions, and Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney have answers. The Athletic’s Cubs writers respond to listeners who want to know who will be starting Game 1 at Wrigley Field: Matthew Boyd, Cade Horton or Shota Imanaga? Plus a look at who might be the Opening Day right fielder next year, and what the Cubs will be targeting on the free-agent market this winter.

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One of the most popular players in franchise history is returning to Wrigley Field. Ahead of the ceremonial weekend marking Anthony Rizzo’s retirement and new role as a Cubs ambassador, Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney look back on what made that era so special, and why people gravitated toward the big first baseman. The Athletic’s Cubs writers also dig into the decision to (finally) put All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker on the injured list, and how general manager Carter Hawkins is emerging as a strong candidate to take over the Nationals.

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Where to begin? Cubs closer Daniel Palencia is now on the injured list, though his recent performance was already putting his bullpen role in doubt. Kyle Tucker and Pete Crow-Armstrong seemed to benefit from their mental resets, but then the All-Star outfielders got hurt. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney explain how Cubs manager Craig Counsell is looking at the bullpen situation, and why he is sounding frustrated with the offense. It raises a question: Does this team look ready for the playoffs?

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As the Cubs prepare for October, The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney are here to answer questions from listeners who want to know about the Cade Horton plan and what it could look like in the playoffs. Pitching is a focus throughout the episode, explaining how Craig Counsell and his staff could map things out in a postseason series. Also, does anyone remember what the Cubs got in return for Cody Bellinger in that offseason deal with the Yankees? Follow the money.

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With Chicago’s playoff odds holding steady, The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney are back for a rundown on some of the club’s most important players. How the Cubs handle Kyle Tucker’s latest injury issue will be interesting. The hope is that Pete Crow-Armstrong will benefit from the kind of reset that Tucker took recently. And what has been the reaction within the clubhouse to the very conservative approach to Cade Horton’s workload? 

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With the wild-card odds overwhelmingly in their favor, the Cubs can use this final month of the season to their advantage. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney start with Pete Crow-Armstrong, who has cooled off considerably after an MVP-level stretch that carried the team. What does Kevin Alcántara’s promotion from Triple-A Iowa mean for Crow-Armstrong? Plus, a full analysis of Chicago’s recent additions for the stretch run, including an explanation of the move for Carlos Santana, the impact on Justin Turner, and why it is not too soon to start thinking about the playoff rotatio...

You have questions, we have answers. Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney are back with another edition of their mailbag, which not surprisingly revolves around Craig Counsell’s decisions at a time when the offense is struggling. The Athletic writers explain what the Cubs manager is thinking and what they’re observing in the clubhouse. In addition to context on Matt Shaw’s development and Seiya Suzuki’s struggles, there are insights into the club’s pitching plans as October begins to come into focus.   

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With a West Coast trip in full swing, Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney get together to bring you the latest on the Cubs. There are updates on Jameson Taillon and the club’s pitching plans for October, vibe checks in San Francisco, and first impressions of the 2026 schedule that just got released. Inspired by pitching Tommy Hottovy – who recently put Kyle Hendrick on his “Mount Rushmore of Cubs pitchers” – The Athletic writers offer their ideas.

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After a mental reset/three-game benching, Kyle Tucker again looked like the difference-maker the Cubs will need to go on a long playoff run. How did it get to this point? And what were the reactions in the clubhouse and the dugout? The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney compare notes and share reporting from Angel Stadium after a three-game sweep that put a little heat on the Brewers in the division race.

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In a recent TV appearance, Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred fueled talk about expansion and reconfigured divisions. How would that impact the Cubs? Even if these concepts are off in the distance, Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney have some ideas. The Athletic’s Cubs beat writers also get into the state of the pitching staff and the idea that maybe it’s time to just focus on the wild card.

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Recognizing that a moment had slipped away, Cubs manager Craig Counsell was not overly enthusiastic after his club won a five-game series against the division leader. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney analyze where things stand after the Cubs did not gain a lot of ground on Milwaukee. Plus more on the Kyle Tucker situation and the organization’s deliberate development plan for Owen Caissie.

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What once would have seemed unthinkable suddenly became inevitable. With Kyle Tucker going through the worst offensive stretch of his career – and the Wrigley Field crowds turning on him – Cubs manager Craig Counsell decided to give him a break during a huge series against the first-place Brewers. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney analyze what led to this point and how the Cubs could get out of it. Plus more news and notes from the Friendly Confines.

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The fallout from an underwhelming trade deadline continues. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney are back to take more questions from listeners, beginning with Carter Hawkins’ recent comments to ESPN. What did the Cubs general manager mean by the 2032 quote that has gone viral? Plus, much more on what makes the Brewers so good, and so frustrating for Cubs personnel and Cubs fans.  

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At this point, it’s not an overreaction. The Cubs are playing an uninspired brand of baseball while continuing to lose ground in the National League Central. It’s time to sound the alarm bells. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney explain the current mood within the clubhouse as well as the larger organizational forces that have created this environment. While the Cubs still have time to turn things around, any changes have to happen fast.

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It’s happening again. That small-market team in Milwaukee has taken control of the National League Central, leaving the Cubs to play catch-up and making their recent performance look even worse. What’s the current mood inside the clubhouse? The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney share their insights and explain whether it’s time to panic. Their discussion also involves recent developments with young players such as Matt Shaw and Pete Crow-Armstrong, as well as how Craig Counsell is handling the situation.

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After another rough showing by the offense Friday night in St. Louis, Sahadev takes your questions about why this group always has extended slumps at the plate, whether the lack of deadline moves impacted this team mentally and more.

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After an MVP-level start carried the Cubs into the summer, and fueled more talk about the huge contract he could command this winter, Kyle Tucker has slumped at an inopportune time. Is this a physical issue, a mechanical flaw or simply just the nature of a long baseball season? Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney pass along what they’re hearing. The Athletic’s Cubs beat writers also discuss the emergence of Cade Horton and the faith the organization showed in the young pitcher at the trade deadline.  

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Hindsight is 20/20, but this was an immediate question following MLB’s trade deadline: Why didn’t the Cubs acquire another starter for the stretch run? Michael Soroka’s shoulder injury only amplified those concerns. What did the Cubs know about his time with the Nationals? How did his velocity dip factor into the deal? The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney share what they’ve learned. Plus the latest from Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts on Jed Hoyer’s contract extension, and a look ahead to the 2027 All-Star Game at Wrigley Field.

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Both of these things can be true: The Cubs significantly improved their roster and missed a great opportunity. Time will tell whether the Cubs made the right moves at the trade deadline, but Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney are here to give you their instant analysis. The Athletic writers break down each deal, relay what Jed Hoyer’s front office was thinking and explain why the Cubs didn’t acquire that top-of-the-rotation starter for Game 1 of a potential playoff series at Wrigley Field.
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