North Side Territory: A Chicago Cubs Podcast

Three weeks into a long season, three particular developments have caught our attention (besides the recent rash of pitching injuries). The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney spotlight these ideas and try to project what might be sustainable and what could be a long-term concern. Is there reason to think Shota Imanaga could again be a legitimate Cy Young Award contender? Is Nico Hoerner simply off to a hot start or turning into a potential MVP candidate? And how do you evaluate the offensive struggles of Pete Crow-Armstrong and Michael Busch at this particular moment?

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As the injuries continue to pile up, the Cubs are looking at ways to add to their pitching staff. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney share their reporting on the club’s interest in Lucas Giolito, a one-time All-Star who remains available as a free agent. The two Chicago beat writers lay out the pros and cons of that potential move. For in-depth analysis and unique information, follow this show all season long.

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With the Cubs starting to get into the flow of the season, The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney answer timely questions from listeners. How concerned should Cubs fans be about the state of the bullpen? What are the takeaways from potential aces Cade Horton and Justin Steele suffering serious injuries in back-to-back years? Is it too early to start thinking about the trade deadline? (Never.) Listen to North Side Territory all year round for the latest information on the Cubs.
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This is devastating news for Horton, who will need a major procedure on his right elbow, which will sideline one of the sport’s best young pitchers for the rest of the year. As the Cubs absorb this information, The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney describe the scene in the clubhouse and outline the updated plans for the rotation. One name involved in this discussion is Lucas Giolito, who’s still out there as a free agent. How is the club evaluating Giolito right now? North Side Territory breaks down all the angles to this big story.

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Ten games into the season, the Cubs have already placed 40 percent of their Opening Day rotation on the injured list. The short-term outlook for Matthew Boyd appears better than Cade Horton’s situation, but the organization’s depth is being severely tested in April and the major-league club simply isn’t playing well right now. What’s the real level of concern here? The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney are back to talk it through with insights from the clubhouse and the manager’s office.

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