The biggest headline at the moment is Kyle Tucker’s injury scare. But two-plus months into the season, there is a lot for Cubs fans to like about this first-place team. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney provide context to Tucker’s injury, the latest on Shota Imanaga and the reasoning behind using an opener in front of Ben Brown. If the Cubs have largely figured out what they have, then the next two months will be about getting what else they need. At this point, the priorities at the trade deadline are clear.

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How would you put together a roster of the best Cubs players since 2000? Spinning off a project for The Athletic, Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney do just that, rewinding several eras at Wrigley Field and appreciating some of the loudest personalities and biggest moments in franchise history. Though there are some minor disagreements, this is a fun episode with a ton of behind-the-scenes insights and unforgettable memories from the clubhouse.

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As the Cubs continue to roll, The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney take questions from listeners and explain what’s making this first-place team tick. Cade Horton is prominently mentioned as a potential top-of-the-rotation starter. Matt Shaw has impressed everyone since his reset at Triple-A Iowa. But what is the front office thinking? Which prospects, if any, will be untouchable at the trade deadline? Plus more on the coaching staff’s influence on a dangerous offense.

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It’s time to break down a first-place team that is exceeding all expectations. What has gone right? And what could go wrong? The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney have it all covered, from Kyle Tucker being better than advertised to Pete Crow-Armstrong turning into a star. The offense is a juggernaut while the pitching staff is the obvious area to upgrade at the trade deadline. In any event, the Cubs can deliver a fun summer, and Wrigleyville will be rocking.

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Fifty games into the season, the Cubs are 10 over .500 and leading the National League Central. The Reds, however, could be a problem. For a scouting report on Cincinnati, Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney bring in C. Trent Rosecrans, their colleague at The Athletic, ahead of a Memorial Day weekend series at Great American Ball Park. Tune in for more on Hunter Greene’s next level, the expectations around Elly De La Cruz and Terry Francona’s influence as the Hall of Fame-caliber manager brought in to fix the Reds and try to take over the division.

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Undeniably, the breakout star of this Cubs season is Pete Crow-Armstrong, who is quickly gaining notice beyond Wrigley Field and becoming one of the most exciting players in the entire sport. To understand why this is happening, listen to Cubs assistant GM Jared Banner, who joins Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney for a conversation about PCA-mania. Banner’s insights are from his time with the Mets, overseeing their farm system when it included Crow-Armstrong, as well as his role in welcoming Crow-Armstrong into the Cubs organization following the Javier Báez trade.

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The Cubs didn’t really hesitate last month when they demoted Matt Shaw, the club’s Opening Day third baseman and top prospect heading into the season. After a reset at Triple-A Iowa, Shaw is now back in The Show. What was the message sent to Shaw? How did his swing get so out of whack? Who else is out there if the Cubs want to make a move at the trade deadline? The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney get into all of those topics, plus more on the shaky state of the bullpen, and the injuries that are beginning to pile up around a first-place team.

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As Pete Crow-Armstrong blossoms into one of the game’s most exciting players, it’s worth revisiting why contract talks were tabled and how both sides view the situation. That is a jumping-off point for more questions on what the Cubs will prioritize at the trade deadline, how much money is available for in-season additions, and where Moisés Ballesteros fits long term. You have questions. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney have answers.

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This is exactly why the Cubs wanted Justin Turner on their team. And this is exactly what Turner needed after a brutal start to the season had some people wondering if his roster spot was in jeopardy. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney take you inside the clubhouse to understand Turner’s process and his enormous impact on teammates. Plus, first impressions of Moisés Ballesteros and thoughts on the renewed energy at Wrigley Field.

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In what’s becoming a regular occurrence, the Cubs are calling up another elite prospect to make his major-league debut. To get you prepared for Moisés Ballesteros’ big moment, Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney have a scouting report on what to expect from the young left-handed hitter, and why the Cubs are making this move right now. Ballesteros follows Cade Horton, a top pitching prospect who certainly looked like he belonged in New York. These are things that have to happen in order for a team to put together a special season. From this youth movement to under-the-radar contributors such as Colin Rea and Brad Keller, The Athletic’s Chicago beat writers have it covered.

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