North Side Territory: A Chicago Cubs Podcast
Episodes
Cubs mailbag: Your questions on the trade deadline, pitching development and more
19 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Nearing the halfway point of an up-and-down season, the Cubs are searching for answers, and the fans have plenty of questions about the team’s d...
How are the Cubs going to handle the Dansby Swanson situation?
18 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Amid the deep slump that has impacted almost the entire lineup, the calls for the Cubs to bench their $177 million shortstop are getting louder. The A...
The latest on Cubs pitchers Daniel Palencia, Edward Cabrera and Justin Steele
17 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Here we go again. The Cubs are dealing with yet another rash of pitching injuries. Did getting pushed in the World Baseball Classic lead to Palencia&r...
So far, the Cubs’ big offseason moves are backfiring
12 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Signing Alex Bregman and trading for Edward Cabrera were well-received moves by Chicago’s front office, designed to level up the Cubs from a wil...
Cubs keep sliding, PCA's FIRE, Giants series preview w/FP Santangelo
11 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
It's a crossover! Patrick Mooney joins Splash Hit Territory host FP Santangelo to preview the weekend series with the San Francisco Giants. The guys d...
Alex Bregman’s “terrible” first impression is sinking the Cubs
08 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
There’s no sugarcoating it. The big-name free agent signed to a five-year, $175 million contract hasn’t lived up to expectations, and his ...
Cubs mailbag: Who’s to blame if this season keeps slipping away?
05 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
After the giddiness during the Cubs’ two 10-games winning streaks, the entire tone of this campaign has changed dramatically. It’s reflect...
What we’re hearing about the Cubs’ downward spiral: lineup issues, pitching plans, trade deadline
04 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
It’s not a great marketing slogan for Wrigley Field, but Cubs manager Craig Counsell perfectly summed up the experience of watching this offense...
Three things to watch in June, a potential make-or-break month for the Cubs
02 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
After expectations soared with two separate 10-game winning streaks early in the season, the Cubs crashed in May, falling out of first place and erasi...
Now what? Updating the Cubs’ outlook on the division race and trade deadline
29 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
It’s a long season, but one-third of the way through a 162-game schedule is a good time to reassess, especially given the extremes of the club&r...
What we’re hearing: Making sense of the Cubs’ streaks and Justin Steele’s timeline
28 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The 10-game losing streak is finally over. To put these wild swings of the season into context, listen to The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patr...
Are the Cubs really this bad?
26 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
An extreme downturn has made those two 10-game winning streaks feel like ancient history. Even if it’s not quite time to panic, it’s fair ...
The Cubs are falling apart: How is this happening?
22 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Once again, the Brewers showed they are a superior team, dominating a three-game sweep at Wrigley Field from start to finish. As the Cubs try to regro...
With the Cubs in a funk, Pete Crow-Armstrong’s season is spiraling
21 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
PCA looks like he needs a break. After his vulgar exchange with a White Sox fan on the South Side went viral, the Gold Glove center fielder has commit...
Pete Crow-Armstrong gets into it with a White Sox fan and more takeakways from the Cubs’ rough road trip
18 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The PCA Show came to the South Side, which generated an electric atmosphere for the latest installment of the crosstown rivalry. In winning that three...
What we’re hearing about the Cubs: Trade deadline ideas
16 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Do the Cubs have enough top prospects in their farm system to make a blockbuster deal this summer? The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Moo...
Cubs news and notes: Ben Brown steps up, Liam Hendriks’ comeback and more
15 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Ahead of another crosstown series on the South Side, The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney empty their notebooks in Chicago. How has ...
The pitchers the Cubs could target at the trade deadline
11 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Chicago’s front office does not expect to execute a major trade in May. But that process of scouting players, gathering information and reading ...
Cubs mailbag: Questions about the trade deadline are already starting
09 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Blockbuster trades do not typically happen at this point in the baseball calendar. Still, it is not too early to start asking about how the Cubs will ...
After 15 straight wins at Wrigley Field, how will the Cubs reassemble their pitching staff?
08 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
It has been an unbelievable stretch at the Friendly Confines, where the Cubs last lost a game on April 11 while simultaneously dealing with a multitud...
Why this great start for the Cubs is sustainable
04 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
It’s still early, but the Cubs have already overcome several challenging moments and demonstrated so many different ways that they can win. The ...
Three things to watch with the Cubs in May
01 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
You have to start with pitching. More than a month into the season, the Cubs have weathered an alarming amount of injuries. How much more can they wit...
Cubs news and notes: Pete Crow-Armstrong heating up, the latest on Justin Steele and more
30 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
After a 3-3 road trip through Dodger Stadium and San Diego that has to be considered a success, the Cubs are back at Wrigley Field this weekend and lo...
Cubs takeaways from Dodger Stadium: “This is the standard.”
27 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
While it’s too soon to label this a playoff preview, the Cubs got an up-close look at the two-time defending World Series champs. With the Dodge...
Cubs roll into Dodger Stadium as the hottest team in baseball
24 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Riding a nine-game winning streak, the Cubs will see how they measure up this weekend against the two-time defending World Series champs. The Athletic...
Cubs news and notes: Craig Counsell calls out MLB’s “bizarre” Shohei Ohtani rule
22 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Right now, the Cubs are rolling, but everyone in baseball is still ultimately chasing the Dodgers. Why did Counsell bring up the two-way superstar and...
How the Cubs are using their entire roster to stay on track
20 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Amid a wave of pitching injuries and a few hitting slumps, the Cubs are in a relatively good position at this point of the season. How are they doing ...
Cubs mailbag: Lineup questions, offseason choices, pitching development concerns
17 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
With the Cubs off to a so-so start, The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney open the mailbag to answer questions from listeners and pla...
Three Cubs trends we’re watching early in the season
16 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Three weeks into a long season, three particular developments have caught our attention (besides the recent rash of pitching injuries). The Athletic&r...
The Cubs are in the market for more pitching
15 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 Moon...
Cubs mailbag: Bullpen panic level, trade deadline thoughts and more
09 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
With the Cubs starting to get into the flow of the season, The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney answer timely questions from listene...
How will Cubs respond to Cade Horton’s season-ending injury? | North Side Territory
08 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 pitch...
It’s early, but issues around the Cubs are mounting | North Side Territory
07 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 Matth...
Cubs mailbag: What’s the level of concern with Cade Horton? | North Side Territory
04 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The Cubs are sending mixed signals about Horton, their potential ace who’s now dealing with a forearm issue. With the club waiting for more info...
Three things to watch in April | North Side Territory
02 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
As the Cubs get into the flow of the season, The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney spot some of the early trends and share what they&...
How Pete Crow-Armstrong’s deal with the Cubs came together
30 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
It’s never easy for Crow-Armstrong to hide his emotions, but it was almost impossible during Friday’s news conference at the Wrigley Field...
What’s going on here? Explaining the Cubs’ big moves
30 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In one financial quarter, the Cubs committed $431 million to Nico Hoerner, Pete Crow-Armstrong and Alex Bregman, solidifying them as building blocks a...
Extension Week continues for Cubs and Nico Hoerner
27 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Opening Day at Wrigley Field was kind of dud, but the Cubs delivered a six-year agreement with Hoerner, a homegrown Gold Glove second baseman and a fa...
What you need to know about Pete Crow-Armstrong’s contract extension
25 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
With Opening Day being treated as a deadline, the Cubs and Crow-Armstrong’s camp came together to finalize a six-year, $115 million deal that so...
What we’re hearing about Moisés Ballesteros plus scouts on the Cubs’ pitching staff
20 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Nearing the end of spring training, The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney open their notebooks for some information on how the team i...
Daniel Palencia’s huge WBC moment and more Cubs pitching notes
19 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
What did the Cubs really think of how Team Venezuela handled their closer? The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney explain Palencia&rsq...
Is Seiya Suzuki still in the Opening Day picture?
18 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Near the end of a relatively smooth spring training, the Cubs are dealing with some uncertainty. The club continues to monitor Suzuki, who injured his...
Cubs roster outlook: Cade Horton’s next level, bullpen questions and more
15 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
With Opening Day fast approaching, The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney analyze some of the decisions that club officials will be fa...
Matthew Boyd earns Opening Day assignment at Wrigley Field
13 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney break down the latest news from Cubs camp, where Boyd returned after his stint with Team USA. The Athletic’s C...
What we’re hearing about the Cubs: Dansby Swanson, WBC takeaways and more
11 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
As spring training continues and the World Baseball Classic entertains, The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney are back with some nugg...
Cubs mailbag: Nico's value, the next Brad Keller and more
08 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Is there another Brad Keller surprise in camp for the Cubs this spring? How would Nico Hoerner's ability to play shortstop impact the team's chances o...
Cubs guide to the World Baseball Classic
05 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Team USA’s unbelievable collection of talent includes two Cubs stars who could play prominent roles in this global event. Alex Bregman and Pete ...
Cubs news and notes halfway through spring training
04 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
What’s the current timeline for Justin Steele as the All-Star pitcher comes back from elbow surgery? And should you be concerned about Jameson T...
Where the Cubs’ roster stands a month from Opening Day
27 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney are back with their roster projections and insights from the Arizona complex. Tyler Austin&rsqu...
What we’re hearing about the Cubs: Michael Conforto’s new deal and more
24 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Spring training is fully underway, but the Cubs haven’t stopped making moves. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney get you up ...
Cubs news and notes: MLBPA problems and much more from spring training
20 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The Tony Clark scandal hovered over spring training as union officials visited Cubs camp on Wednesday in Arizona. Sahadev Sharma joins Patrick Mooney ...
State of the Cubs (and their TV network and on-field product)
19 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In what’s become an annual tradition, Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts separately addressed the team and the Chicago media covering spring training in...
Early impressions from a Cubs camp with big expectations
13 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
What is Pete Crow-Armstrong working on this year? And how will Alex Bregman help the young star reach that next level? Sahadev Sharma joins Patrick Mo...
The Cubs are back: Day 1 report from spring training
12 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
After the first formal workout for Cubs pitchers and catchers in Arizona, Sahadev Sharma joins Patrick Mooney for a rundown of the sights and sounds i...
North Side Territory’s Spring Training Preview
07 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
After a rough stretch of Chicago winter filled with snow, ice and bone-chilling temperatures, Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney are looking forward to...
The offseason grades for the Cubs are in
06 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Although another move or two could still be out there, the Cubs checked a lot of boxes this winter, adding to a roster that will be expected to win 90...
Cubs mailbag: Contract extensions, lineup questions, roster decisions and more
30 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
With so many good questions from listeners, The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney broke up their latest mailbag into two parts. In th...
Cubs mailbag: Still looking for more pitching
29 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
With spring training rapidly approaching, The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney are back with a pitching-centric mailbag, answering q...
Cubs news and notes: Freddy Peralta trade, Jon Lester’s Hall of Fame case and more
23 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
As subzero weather grips Chicago, The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney are looking forward to spring training in Arizona and what&rs...
Cubs trade rumors: What’s next for Matt Shaw and Nico Hoerner?
21 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
It could be nothing. But this is a front office that is always willing to listen, never viewing a player as untouchable. And the Cubs are clearly sign...
What we’re hearing: Kyle Tucker’s decision and the futures of Nico Hoerner and Matt Shaw
17 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Now that the Tucker saga has a predictable ending – the top free agent is heading to Dodger Stadium – The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma ...
First impressions of Alex Bregman at Wrigley Field
16 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
What an introduction to Chicago for the two-time World Series champion who purposely chose No. 3 for his new jersey. Yes, Bregman wants a third World ...
The Cubs make a huge splash with the Alex Bregman deal
11 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On an electric night for Chicago sports fans, the Cubs reminded the city and the baseball world that they are still a big-market force, closing a five...
Where the Cubs stand with the “Big Four” free agents
09 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
After trading for Edward Cabrera and upgrading their starting rotation, the Cubs have a clear need for another hitter and a genuine opportunity to lev...
Why the Cubs made the Edward Cabrera trade
08 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney break down all the angles to Chicago’s biggest offseason move thus far – what the C...
Mapping out the potential next moves for the Cubs in 2026
03 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Happy New Year from North Side Territory, the show that covers all the offseason angles involving the Cubs. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Pa...
New year begins with Cubs missing out on Tatsuya Imai
02 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The Imai sweepstakes ended with the Japanese pitcher picking an unexpected team and settling for a smaller contract than projected. The Astros took on...
Previewing what 2026 may bring for the Cubs
24 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Looking ahead to a new season, The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney see a playoff-caliber team that’s approaching a cliff. With so man...
Year in review: What the Cubs showed us in 2025 (and what they didn’t)
22 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Happy holidays from North Side Territory. With a playoff season in the books and the offseason in full swing, The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patr...
Brad Keller gets paid while the Cubs go in a different direction
20 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Cubs are rebuilding their bullpen without Keller, who authored a comeback story at Wrigley Field that landed him a two-year, $22 million contract ...
Where are the Cubs in their pursuit of another starting pitcher?
19 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Reacting to Michael King’s deal with the Padres, Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney map out where the Cubs could go from here. The two beat writers f...
Cubs takeaways from the Winter Meetings
12 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After leaving baseball’s annual convention, The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney are back from Orlando and ready to share the informat...
What have the Cubs been up to at the Winter Meetings?
10 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Checking in from Orlando, The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney share what they’ve been hearing about the Cubs’ various offseason pur...
Winter Meetings Preview: Will the Cubs make a splash?
05 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Before traveling to Orlando for baseball’s annual offseason convention, Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney share what they’re hearing about the Cub...
What we’re hearing about the Cubs, free agents and spending
04 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With the Winter Meetings approaching, The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney sit down to compare notes on the Cubs’ approach to the free...
Cubs mailbag: How will the team replace Kyle Tucker?
27 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After Part 1 of the Thanksgiving mailbag focused on pitching, Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney are back to answer more questions from listeners, focu...
Cubs offseason mailbag: Pitching names to know
25 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The baseball industry does not shut down during Thanksgiving week. As the Cubs continue to scour the pitching market, Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Moone...
What’s next for Shota Imanaga and Kyle Tucker?
20 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With the offseason activity beginning to pick up in that window after the GM meetings and before Thanksgiving, The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Pat...
In-depth look at Baseball America’s top Cubs prospects
18 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Do the Cubs have enough young talent to sustain a perennial playoff contender? Geoff Pontes joins the show to discuss his top-10 rankings of the organ...
What we learned at the GM meetings
14 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Back from Las Vegas, Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney compare notes after roaming The Cosmopolitan this week, trying to track down information on the...
Cubs latest: What we’re hearing at the GM meetings
12 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney are in Las Vegas for Major League Baseball’s GM meetings, reporting on the latest developments wi...
Cubs news and notes ahead of the GM meetings
06 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With the offseason underway, The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney break down the latest happenings around a Cubs team that will be very ...
Making sense of the Shota Imanaga decisions
05 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Cubs made their first major offseason move by declining a three-year option to extend Shota Imanaga’s contract. In turn, the Japanese pitcher de...
Cubs mailbag: Let the offseason intrigue begin
31 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With the World Series nearing a conclusion, The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney take questions from listeners to give Cubs fans a previ...
Top 5 Cubs Hot Stove Hitting Targets
28 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Cubs are probably going to pour their resources into the pitching staff this offseason. Without making any moves, the club could right now put tog...
Top 5 Cubs Hot Stove Pitching Targets
23 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Already shifting into offseason mode, it’s not too early to start thinking about which pitchers the Cubs will be targeting this winter, both via tra...
Top 5 Cubs Who Won’t Be Back In 2026
22 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After winning a playoff round and then losing to a small-market rival, the Cubs are trying to build a team for the next level, which would mean finish...
Laying out the Chicago Cubs offseason agenda; Jed Hoyer speaks
16 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After processing Jed Hoyer’s entire end-of-season news conference, The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney share their latest takeaways. ...
The questions looming over the Cubs as offseason begins
13 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney take you inside the visiting clubhouse in Milwaukee, where Cubs players processed the disappointing...
The crowds at Wrigley Field make a difference as Cubs force Game 5
10 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In winning two elimination games, the Cubs put the pressure back on the Brewers as this National League Division Series returns to Milwaukee. The fans...
The Cubs are still alive
09 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fans will get at least one more night of playoff baseball at Wrigley Field this year. An electric atmosphere greeted the Cubs on Wednesday as they ret...
It’s not over yet, but Cubs look completely overmatched against Brewers
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What a letdown for Cubs fans, and a team that believed it could do something special. A National League Division Series that began with so much promis...
How the Cubs reset ahead of Game 2 in Milwaukee
06 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After all the hype surrounding this grudge match, the Brewers came out and completely dominated the Cubs at the start of this National League Division...
After a classic Wrigley Field celebration, Cubs-Brewers should be more great theater
03 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Cubs are fully in postseason mode, making spectacular defensive plays, deploying their bullpen aggressively, and spraying champagne and beer all o...
The Cubs are suddenly on the brink of elimination
02 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What was Craig Counsell thinking? And does it really matter when the offense scores zero runs? The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney are ...
The playoff buzz is back at Wrigley Field
01 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What an atmosphere. In taking control of their National League Wild Card Series, the Cubs restored the big-game energy at the Friendly Confines. The A...
Everything you need to know about the Cubs-Padres playoff series
29 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
There’s a full scouting report within this Wild Card crossover episode between North Side Territory and Friar Territory. Who's going to be the hero ...
How the Cubs regroup with Cade Horton out of playoff picture
28 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Maybe there’s a scenario in which Cade Horton throws another pitch for the Cubs this year. But for now, the club is operating under the assumption t...
Playoff X-factors now that the Cubs know they will face the Padres
26 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Cubs still want to make sure this wild-card series will be played at Wrigley Field, but their playoff opponent is now set. In some ways, the Padre...
The Cubs picked a bad time to have their worst stretch
24 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How concerned should Cubs fans be right now? The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney try to separate it all out during the final week of th...