North Side Territory: A Chicago Cubs Podcast

What a clunker to open this Wild Card Series in San Diego. The Cubs looked overmatched in every phase of Game 1 as the Padres pushed them to the brink of playoff elimination. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney share their reporting and insights from Petco Park, where the Cubs definitely won’t get any kind of home-field advantage. How does Chicago’s pitching plan line up for Game 2? What’s the current mood in the clubhouse? Where does the turnaround begin? We’re about to find out.

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What a finish to the regular season — Alex Bregman’s freak accident, Pete Crow-Armstrong’s 40-40 moment, a clinch party in Wrigleyville, a last-minute doubleheader at Fenway Park and a detour to Florida. It all leads into another wild-card series against the Padres. Before the Cubs travel to San Diego, The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney share what they’re hearing and seeing. Should you be concerned about the offense? Is the bullpen actually in a better place? Who’s in the playoff rotation? Listen for an early preview of a must-see matchup.
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Bregman Watch is on. In an unexpected, overwhelmingly positive update — under the circumstances — the Cubs expressed their belief that the All-Star third baseman will play again this year, and maybe even during the final weekend of the regular season. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney interpret this news and also share some of their late-season takeaways from Wrigley Field.

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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.
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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 the team field trip to Churchill Downs that Alex Bregman and Craig Counsell helped organize.
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