North Side Territory: A Chicago Cubs Podcast
Episodes
Is this the letdown after the Cubs clinched their playoff spot?
22 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Following their big celebration in Pittsburgh, the Cubs were swept out of Cincinnati. The final week of the regular season continues with the Cubs on ...
How the Cubs are lined up for October
19 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Is the offense still a concern heading into the playoffs? And why would anyone other than Cade Horton start Game 1 for the Cubs? The Athletic’s Saha...
The clubhouse scene as the Cubs clinched their playoff spot
18 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Cubs are advancing to the postseason for the first time since 2020, an achievement that the team celebrated wildly in Pittsburgh. The Athletic’s...
Cubs close to switching over to playoff mode
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It feels inevitable. The Cubs are so close to clinching their first playoff berth since 2020 that even the people in uniform are thinking ahead and lo...
Cubs mailbag: The postseason rotation, Kyle Tucker plans and more
12 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With the playoffs approaching, you have questions, and Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney have answers. The Athletic’s Cubs writers respond to listen...
Anthony Rizzo is back where he belongs
11 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
One of the most popular players in franchise history is returning to Wrigley Field. Ahead of the ceremonial weekend marking Anthony Rizzo’s retireme...
The Cubs have to deal with some glaring issues
09 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Where to begin? Cubs closer Daniel Palencia is now on the injured list, though his recent performance was already putting his bullpen role in doubt. K...
The Cubs mailbag is back with more of your questions
05 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As the Cubs prepare for October, The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney are here to answer questions from listeners who want to know about...
Cubs news and notes from Wrigley Field
04 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With Chicago’s playoff odds holding steady, The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney are back for a rundown on some of the club’s most i...
How the Cubs are positioned at the start of September
02 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With the wild-card odds overwhelmingly in their favor, the Cubs can use this final month of the season to their advantage. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sh...
Cubs mailbag: The lineup, pitching outlook and more
29 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You have questions, we have answers. Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney are back with another edition of their mailbag, which not surprisingly revolves...
Cubs news and notes plus the “Mount Rushmore of Cubs pitchers”
28 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With a West Coast trip in full swing, Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney get together to bring you the latest on the Cubs. There are updates on Jameson...
The Cubs believe Kyle Tucker is back
26 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After a mental reset/three-game benching, Kyle Tucker again looked like the difference-maker the Cubs will need to go on a long playoff run. How did i...
What would realignment mean for the Cubs?
23 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In a recent TV appearance, Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred fueled talk about expansion and reconfigured divisions. How would that impac...
The Cubs missed their opportunity against the Brewers
22 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Recognizing that a moment had slipped away, Cubs manager Craig Counsell was not overly enthusiastic after his club won a five-game series against the ...
Amid boos and a brutal slump, Cubs star Kyle Tucker gets a reset
20 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What once would have seemed unthinkable suddenly became inevitable. With Kyle Tucker going through the worst offensive stretch of his career – and t...
Cubs mailbag: Why are they talking about 2032?
14 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The fallout from an underwhelming trade deadline continues. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney are back to take more questions from li...
The negativity is surrounding the Cubs right now
13 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
At this point, it’s not an overreaction. The Cubs are playing an uninspired brand of baseball while continuing to lose ground in the National League...
The Brewers are pulling away from the Cubs in the division race
11 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It’s happening again. That small-market team in Milwaukee has taken control of the National League Central, leaving the Cubs to play catch-up and ma...
Cubs mailbag: What happened to this offense?
09 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After another rough showing by the offense Friday night in St. Louis, Sahadev takes your questions about why this group always has extended slumps at ...
What’s going on with Kyle Tucker?
08 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After an MVP-level start carried the Cubs into the summer, and fueled more talk about the huge contract he could command this winter, Kyle Tucker has ...
Maybe the Cubs should’ve gotten another pitcher at the trade deadline
07 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hindsight is 20/20, but this was an immediate question following MLB’s trade deadline: Why didn’t the Cubs acquire another starter for the stretch...
Trade deadline recap: Did the Cubs pass or fail?
01 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Both of these things can be true: The Cubs significantly improved their roster and missed a great opportunity. Time will tell whether the Cubs made th...
Breaking down Jed Hoyer’s contract extension
30 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With the trade deadline looming, the Cubs took one potential distraction off the table, finalizing a deal with president of baseball operations Jed Ho...
Remembering Cubs icon Ryne Sandberg
29 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The death of “Ryno” hit people hard. The Hall of Famer bonded generations of Cubs fans who watched him perform at Wrigley Field and on the WGN sup...
Cubs mailbag: Trade deadline, Wrigley Field vibes and more
25 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As the baseball industry heats up in late July, The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney are back to answer more questions from listeners. T...
As Cubs look for more pitching, 22 trade names for the deadline
24 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It’s no secret that the Cubs are actively searching for more pitching and trying to make deals within this final week before the trade deadline. Bet...
The trade deadline chatter around the Cubs is picking up
21 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Brewers will not let up, forcing the Cubs to stay on top of their game and turning this into a true division race. With the July 31 trade deadline...
Cubs news and notes: The latest on Kyle Tucker and their trade chips for the deadline
18 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Looking ahead to the second half, The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney explain what Kyle Tucker has brought to the Cubs and the expectat...
Cubs mailbag: Trade deadline, Jed Hoyer’s future, pitching outlook and more
17 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With the All-Star break almost over, The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney answer questions from listeners about the Cubs’ plans for th...
Cubs’ second-half guide: Trade deadline, stars to watch and more
16 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Cubs should enjoy their All-Star break, because they will be immediately tested. From a Brewers team that won’t go away to a pressure-packed tra...
What the Cubs are trying to accomplish at the trade deadline
11 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Through their reporting, Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney have some on the names on Chicago’s radar as the baseball industry approaches the July 31...
Cubs president Jed Hoyer visits North Side Territory ahead of the trade deadline
09 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It’s that time of year. Cubs officials are simultaneously preparing for the 2025 MLB Draft and the July 31 trade deadline. For insights and perspect...
Trade deadline plans, All-Star picks and more takeaways from Wrigley Field
07 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Cubs put on a great show over the holiday weekend, dominating the Cardinals on the Fourth of July and “Sunday Night Baseball.” The Athletic’...
Trade deadline preview: The Cubs will be ultra-aggressive
04 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As a first-place team on the Fourth of July, the Cubs already know what direction they’re heading, planning to make big moves at the trade deadline ...
Will more Cubs join Pete Crow-Armstrong and Kyle Tucker at the All-Star Game?
03 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With two-thirds of the National League’s starting outfield, the Cubs will be well-represented at Major League Baseball’s showcase event. But Pete ...
The Cubs will have money for the trade deadline. What about Kyle Tucker?
02 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
At the beginning of July, the Cubs are in a prime position to add at the trade deadline. Jed Hoyer, the club’s president of baseball operations, con...
The Cubs at the halfway point: Big expectations for what’s next
27 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After 81 games, the Cubs are leading their division and fueling hopes for October baseball at Wrigley Field. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patri...
A low point for Pete Crow-Armstrong and the Cubs
25 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
During this high-flying season, Pete Crow-Armstrong has established himself as a legitimate MVP candidate who does so many things the right way for a ...
The current state of the Cubs-Cardinals rivalry
24 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With a four-game series unfolding at Busch Stadium, The Athletic’s Katie Woo, Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney get together for a crossover episode...
All the Cubs angles to the stunning Rafael Devers trade
20 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A blockbuster deal between the Red Sox and Giants doesn’t necessarily mean that the trade market is about to heat up, but it does reframe certain th...
Pete Crow-Armstrong keeps putting on a show (just not at the Home Run Derby)
18 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Though Pete Crow-Armstrong says he’s not interested in participating in the Home Run Derby this summer, it’s clear that people want to see “PCA”...
Cubs news and notes: Kyle Tucker, Shota Imanaga and more from Wrigley Field
16 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
While the offense has certainly cooled off, the Cubs have actually extended their lead in the division, which is a sign of a good team. The Athletic’...
Cubs prospect watch, looking ahead to trade deadline
13 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With the Cubs expected to be big buyers at the July 31 trade deadline, now is a good time to check in on their prospects and see what they will have t...
Cubs mailbag: Dealing with the Marlins plus more on roster additions and lineup questions
12 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With the trade deadline approaching, listeners are curious about Sandy Alcantara as well as Jed Hoyer’s previous discussions with Miami’s front of...
The X-factors that explain the Cubs right now
10 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After a relatively easy May, the Cubs are facing much tougher tests during these road series in Detroit and Philadelphia. The experience should benefi...
With best record in NL, Cubs keep taking care of business
06 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Good teams are supposed to beat bad teams, so you can’t ding the Cubs for taking advantage of a weaker part of the schedule, especially when those m...
Cubs mailbag: Will this be the most aggressive team at the trade deadline?
05 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It’s still relatively early, but it’s already clear that the Cubs are planning to buy at the July 31 deadline and trade for the finishing pieces t...
Kyle Tucker’s status and what we’ve learned about the Cubs
02 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 th...
Cubs All-Quarter Century Team
30 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Cubs mailbag: Cade Horton, Matt Shaw, trade deadline and more
29 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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-...
Sizing up the Cubs with one-third of the season completed
27 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 Sahade...
Cubs vs. Reds as the division race picks up speed
23 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Pete Crow-Armstrong is built for this
22 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 m...
Cubs give Matt Shaw another chance to show he belongs
20 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 sea...
Cubs mailbag: Now what would a Pete Crow-Armstrong extension look like?
16 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 si...
Justin Turner finally has his big moment as a Cub
15 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 pe...
Moisés Ballesteros is coming to Wrigley Field
13 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 Mois...
The scouting report on Cade Horton
09 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With top pitching prospect Cade Horton lined up to make his major-league debut on Saturday night in New York, The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patr...
How can the Cubs fix their closer situation?
08 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After a historically bad outing, it’s back to the drawing board for Ryan Pressly. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney break down what...
With Shota Imanaga out, Cade Horton could be next up in Cubs rotation
06 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Already down one All-Star pitcher, the Cubs will again have to reshape the top of their rotation now that Shota Imanaga has joined Justin Steele on th...
Cubs mailbag: When is Cade Horton coming to Chicago?
02 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With the Cubs off to a great start, Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney open up the inbox to field questions from listeners and look ahead to what’s a...
Cubs hitting coach Dustin Kelly joins North Side Territory
30 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With the offense rolling through the first month of the season, Cubs hitting coach Dustin Kelly joins Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney of The Athleti...
What we learned about the Cubs in April
28 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After the Cubs passed baseball’s most difficult opening test, The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney share their takeaways from the firs...
Do the Cubs have the best offense in baseball?
25 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It’s not a silly question to ask at this early stage of the season. The numbers are off the charts. The entertainment value is back at Wrigley Field...
Wrigley Field is rocking again
24 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Once again, the Cubs are becoming a must-see attraction. In a city that desperately wants to see a winner, and an iconic stadium that lacked buzz in r...
How to fix the Cubs bullpen
22 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Good starting pitching and an explosive offense have masked some of the issues with Chicago’s bullpen. A winning record and an early lead in the div...
Cubs officials showing sense of urgency with roster
18 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
By demoting Matt Shaw to the minors, Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer and manager Craig Counsell demonstrated that their patience will ...
Why the Cubs and Pete Crow-Armstrong tabled contract talks
15 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After exchanging extension proposals around the start of the season, Cubs officials and Pete Crow-Armstrong’s camp decided to hold off and focus on ...
Justin Steele’s season is over
14 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The bad news coming out of Dodger Stadium overshadowed the Cubs winning two of three games against the defending World Series champs. All-Star pitcher...
Cubs Mailbag: Justin Steele, trade deadline and more
12 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With the Cubs on the West Coast, Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney answer questions from fans about what’s next. The Athletic writers have the lates...
Cubs news and notes: Justin Steele’s setback
10 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A good start has been interrupted by the injury news regarding an All-Star pitcher. Still, the Cubs are in decent shape after the season’s first hom...
What Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s deal means for Kyle Tucker
07 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The impact of Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s 14-year, $500 million megadeal will be felt in Chicago as Kyle Tucker has already started to put together a po...
The Cubs are back for another season at Wrigley
05 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Shota Imanaga again pitched like an ace in the franchise’s 150th home opener. Kyle Tucker continues to show why he might be the sport’s No. 1 free...
Why is payroll such an ongoing story for the Cubs?
04 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney dig into the franchise’s situation, which has impacted the rebuild the Cubs once refused to call ...
Cubs takeaways: As advertised, Kyle Tucker is a star
03 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After a circuitous road trip to start the season, the Cubs return to Wrigley Field with some momentum and the type of player they’ve been lacking in...
Reactions to Opening Day 2.0
28 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After their disappointing showing in the Tokyo Series, the Cubs restarted their regular season with a much-needed win over the Diamondbacks. The Athle...
Bold predictions for a Cubs season that won't be boring
27 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Previewing another Opening Day
26 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
News and notes before the next Opening Day
22 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 bre...
How the Cubs became a destination for Japanese players
19 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
No Opening Day overreactions and more from the Tokyo Dome
19 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 Patric...
Tokyo Mailbag: Cubs bonding, pitching depth and concerns and more
16 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 he...
The Cubs have landed in Japan!
14 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 Profe...
Matt Shaw makes the squad
13 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Cubs mailbag: What’s the payroll moving forward?
07 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As Opening Day comes into focus, Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney answer questions from listeners. Once again, the Cubs’ spending pattern is a topi...
Decisions looming as Cubs prepare for Opening Day
06 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Spring training has largely gone according to plan for a Cubs team that has high expectations. But those vibes are always subject to change. The Athle...
Pete Crow-Armstrong and the Cubs' youth movement
05 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The dynamic center fielder known as “PCA” is an elite defender with a lot of self-awareness and some interesting hairstyles. How good can he be? A...
Would a new White Sox owner push the Cubs to spend more?
28 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In an intriguing development on Chicago’s South Side, billionaire investor Justin Ishbia could be in line to take over the White Sox and reimagine t...
Cubs mailbag: Countdown to Opening Day
27 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What if Nico Hoerner and Matt Shaw aren’t ready for the Tokyo Series? The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney break down the roster optio...
How the Cubs are sizing up their pitching staff
26 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With two weeks until the team is scheduled to leave for Japan, the Cubs are closely monitoring their pitchers and thinking about the shape of the Open...
Why the Cubs signed Justin Turner
21 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This is a smaller move that could have a much bigger impact. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney break down where the 40-year-old fits ...
Cubs mailbag: Communication issues
17 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney field questions from listeners and give answers with insights collected at the start of spring trai...
Kyle Tucker’s future
17 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Too soon to rule out the Cubs signing their new star player to a long-term contract extension? The Alex Bregman negotiations were not a promising sign...
First impressions of Cubs camp
14 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Now that the Alex Bregman saga has ended, the Cubs can look forward and focus on what they have in Arizona. With that in mind, Patrick Mooney joins Sa...
Detailing the Cubs’ offer to Alex Bregman
14 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In the end, it wasn’t even that close. Bregman Watch concluded with the All-Star third baseman choosing the Red Sox, the chance to hit at Fenway Par...
The Cubs are back!
10 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The scene in Arizona as spring training begins on Super Bowl Sunday. Patrick Mooney joins Sahadev Sharma from Arizona as The Athletic’s Cubs beat wr...
Alex Bregman would make the Cubs a legit 90-win team
07 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With spring training about to start, at least one projection system is bullish about the Cubs, and the offseason still isn’t over yet. Sahadev Sharm...
Who’s up and who’s down in the Cubs’ farm system
05 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With spring training around the corner, Baseball America prospect writer Geoff Pontes joins the show to discuss why he’s so high on Matt Shaw, who c...
Cubs still have work to do before spring training
31 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Even with the report dates fast approaching, the offseason still isn’t over yet. This is also when the Cubs like to be opportunistic. What does that...