After their disappointing showing in the Tokyo Series, the Cubs restarted their regular season with a much-needed win over the Diamondbacks. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma joins Patrick Mooney from Phoenix, where the Cubs showed attention to detail and some of the little things that can add up over the course of a 162-game season. Plus panic meters for Justin Steele and Ryan Pressly, and the Cody Bellinger trade exposed after the Cubs designated Cody Poteet for assignment.

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The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney sit down for the insiders’ look at how this year could unfold in Wrigleyville. Who’s on the hot seat? What are the names you need to know? Which team is becoming the true rival within the division? All that and more predictions in this season-preview show.

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The Cubs wrapped up spring training with a series of roster decisions and an 0-2 record in real games. Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney, The Athletic’s Cubs beat writers, bring you the latest from Arizona, where Justin Steele will try to get back on track against the Diamondbacks. Why is Ben Brown making the rotation such a big deal? And is it too soon to start second-guessing Craig Counsell’s lineup decisions?

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With the Tokyo Series behind them, the Cubs are already back to work in Arizona. Looking ahead, The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney break down a brutal schedule to start the season, the latest on Nico Hoerner, and some more roster maneuvering. Also, have you seen what Cam Smith is doing in Houston’s camp? Cubs fans and the Chicago media will be talking about the Kyle Tucker trade for a long time.

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It wasn’t an accident that the Cubs were picked for the Tokyo Series. While the Dodgers are still the preeminent team in Japan, the Cubs have spent years building up their international presence, which has already paid off with the signings of Seiya Suzuki and Shota Imanaga. How did Yu Darvish give the Cubs credibility in this space? And who are some of the next players positioned to make a jump to the majors? Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic share what they’re hearing.

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The Cubs’ opener was a little sloppy and kind of boring, but this event is truly more than just a game. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma joins Patrick Mooney from Japan, where it feels like Shohei Ohtani is everywhere and the atmosphere is electric. How the Cubs come out of this international trip will be telling.

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Craig Counsell has made it clear from the start of spring training that the Cubs are going to use their Japan trip as a bonding experience. Finally here and close to playing games, that's exactly what they've done early on. Sahadev Sharma shares what the team has done to grow closer, then answers questions about the Cubs pursuit of more pitching depth, whether there is concern for some poor pitching performances this spring, thoughts on prospect depth and trades and then stories from Sahadev's first few days in Tokyo.

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And so has Sahadev Sharma, who’s on the ground in Tokyo, joining Patrick Mooney ahead of a showcase event for Major League Baseball and Nippon Professional Baseball. The Athletic writers wrap up Phase 1 of spring training, dig into more roster decisions and describe the vibes around the team. The Cubs are genuinely excited for Shota Imanaga and Seiya Suzuki, and looking forward to the electric atmosphere that they will encounter inside the Tokyo Dome against the Dodgers.

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After a few twists and turns, the Cubs landed on bringing their top prospect to Japan and almost certainly making him a big part of their Opening Day roster. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney discuss all the roster ramifications and how things set up for the Tokyo Series. How much does the club believe in Rule 5 draft pick Gage Workman? And what to make of Brad Keller’s spring showing? The games are about to get real.

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As Opening Day comes into focus, Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney answer questions from listeners. Once again, the Cubs’ spending pattern is a topic of conversation for fans, media and even people who work for the team. Would winning the division this year change the financial equation? Or are there larger forces at play? Turning their attention back to the field, The Athletic writers also get into which performances matter in spring training, who’s winning the job battles and how patient the Cubs will be if their relievers falter early in the season.

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