North Side Territory: A Chicago Cubs Podcast

Within every end-of-season briefing with the Chicago media, the Cubs’ top baseball executive always has a few talking points, some things you might not have thought of before, and bigger ideas and themes that will shape the club’s planning and internal messaging. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney interpret what they heard in the Wrigley Field interview room and explain what it means going forward.

Use our code for 10% off your next SeatGeek order*: seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/TERRITORY10 Sponsored by SeatGeek. *Restrictions apply. Max $20 discount

Start your FOX One 3-day Free trial today at FOXOne.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What just happened? Yes, the Cubs looked a little shaky near the end of the regular season, but the Padres absolutely dominated this Wild Card Series from start to finish. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney provide insights and information directly from the clubhouse at Petco Park. Listen to find out how the club’s stars were processing the end, why the Padres were a bad matchup and where this big-market franchise goes from here.

Start your FOX One 3-day Free trial today at FOXOne.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

Use our code for 10% off your next SeatGeek order*: seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/TERRITORY10 Sponsored by SeatGeek. *Restrictions apply. Max $20 discount

Start your FOX One 3-day Free trial today at FOXOne.com

Kalshi - kalshi.com/r/BASEBALL Deposit and place at least $25 in total trades using code BASEBALL to unlock $55 reward. 18+ only. Restrictions and eligibility requirements apply. Event contract trading involves significant risk and is not appropriate for everyone. Please carefully consider if it is appropriate for you in light of your personal financial circumstances. Kalshi products are not available in all jurisdictions. See kalshi.com/regulatory for more information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

Use our code for 10% off your next SeatGeek order*: seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/TERRITORY10 Sponsored by SeatGeek. *Restrictions apply. Max $20 discount

Don’t sleep on @ultrapouches. New customers get 15% Off with code BASEBALL at takeultra.com! #UltraPouches #ad

Kalshi - kalshi.com/r/BASEBALL Deposit and place at least $25 in total trades using code BASEBALL to unlock $55 reward. 18+ only. Restrictions and eligibility requirements apply. Event contract trading involves significant risk and is not appropriate for everyone. Please carefully consider if it is appropriate for you in light of your personal financial circumstances. Kalshi products are not available in all jurisdictions. See kalshi.com/regulatory for more information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

Don’t sleep on @ultrapouches. New customers get 15% Off with code BASEBALL at takeultra.com! #UltraPouches #ad

Start your FOX One 3-day Free trial today at FOXOne.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 10% off your next order of MLB tickets on SeatGeek*: seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/TERRITORY10 Sponsored by SeatGeek. *Restrictions apply. Max $20 discount

Don’t sleep on @ultrapouches. New customers get 15% Off with code BASEBALL at takeultra.com! #UltraPouches #ad

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 next order of MLB tickets on SeatGeek*: seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/TERRITORY10 Sponsored by SeatGeek. *Restrictions apply. Max $20 discount

To explore coverage, visit aspcapetinsurance.com/FOUL. The ASPCA® is not an insurer and is not engaged in the business of insurance.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 organizational failure that wastes Pete Crow-Armstrong’s likely MVP season, the best defense in baseball and the sport’s highest-scoring offense. Stay tuned.

To get your new wireless plan for just 15 bucks a month, go to MintMobile.com/Territory. That’s it there’s no catch.

Start your FOX One 3-day Free trial today at FOXOne.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 development and bullpen construction? And is anyone coming from Triple-A Iowa to help this team? Listen for behind-the-scenes insights and the latest information on the Cubs.

Go to Quince.com/foul for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns

Use our code for 10% off your next order of MLB tickets on SeatGeek*: seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/TERRITORY10 Sponsored by SeatGeek. *Restrictions apply. Max $20 discount

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.