North Side Territory: A Chicago Cubs Podcast

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 discountStart your FOX One 3-day Free trial today at FOXOne.comKalshi - 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 #adStart your FOX One 3-day Free trial today at FOXOne.comSee 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 #adSee 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.