North Side Territory: A Chicago Cubs Podcast

With the draft over and the trade deadline approaching, Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney zoom out to discuss how the Cubs landed on first-round pick Cam Smith out of Florida State, and what the front office is thinking at this moment. The Chicago-based beat writers for The Athletic also get into whether Moises Ballesteros could make his major-league debut this year. Other names on their radar include top prospects Matt Shaw, James Triantos and Cade Horton. Who could help this year? And who might be mentioned in trade talks?Please leave this podcast page a rating and review so that more people discover North Side Territory. And submit any questions you’d like answered in a future mailbag episode. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A 5-2 road trip through Baltimore and St. Louis at least temporarily delayed any serious talks about a sell-off at the trade deadline. Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic are having the same kinds of conversations that are happening around the team and in the front office, wondering whether this is real or a mirage. No one truly knows what direction the Cubs will take, but at least they’ve given themselves a chance. And any team that’s this close to a playoff spot has to be thinking about adding.Please leave this podcast page a rating and review so that more people discover North Side Territory. Submit any questions you’d like answered in a future mailbag episode. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Cubs still have to go through four games against the Cardinals – including a doubleheader at Busch Stadium – before the All-Star break. How the Cubs perform could have a major impact on how the front office proceeds at the trade deadline. Katie Woo of The Athletic is so good at explaining The Cardinal Way, the pressure in St. Louis and the potential cracks in the franchise’s foundation. She joins Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney for a checkup on the Cubs-Cardinals rivalry. Please leave this podcast page a rating and review so that more people discover North Side Territory. And submit any questions you’d like answered in an upcoming mailbag episode. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just when you think they’re out, they pull you back in. An impressive series win in Baltimore recalls the turnaround before last year’s trade deadline, when the Cubs shifted from likely sellers to actual buyers. There are reasons to believe that this team can play at a much higher level and finish strong. But Cody Bellinger remains an important X-factor.Please leave this podcast page a rating and review so that more people discover North Side Territory. And submit any questions you’d like answered in an upcoming mailbag episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shota Imanaga is a joy to watch, as Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. The rest of the team? Not so much. In fact, Colten Brewer broke his hand while punching a Wrigley Field dugout wall in frustration. Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney try to make sense of it all before a tough road trip ahead of the All-Star break. The Cubs need to rack up wins before the trade-deadline plans are finalized.Please leave this podcast page a rating and review so that more people discover North Side Territory. And submit any questions you’d like answered for potential use in a future mailbag episode.Try AG1 and get a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D3K2 AND 5 free AG1 Travel Packs with your first purchase at drinkAG1.com/foul. If you want to take ownership of your health, it starts with AG1. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s time for more airing of grievances as this Cubs team appears to be going nowhere. Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney respond to questions from fans, trying to explain Craig Counsell’s role in all of this, the perception of Jed Hoyer’s job security, different paths to follow at the trade deadline and the moves that would demonstrate this big-market franchise is serious about winning the World Series.Please leave this podcast page a rating and review so that more people discover North Side Territory.And submit any questions you’d like answered for potential use in a future mailbag episode. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People in Philadelphia love Kyle Schwarber. And Bryce Harper is still a must-see superstar. Imagine how that would have played at Wrigley Field. Matt Gelb, who expertly covers the Phillies for The Athletic, joins Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney to preview the upcoming series against a Cubs team that simply has not shown enough progress in its rebuild.Please leave this podcast page a rating and review so that more people discover North Side Territory. And submit any questions you’d like answered for potential use in a future mailbag episode. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Justin Steele screamed in the dugout in Saturday's win. But two hits and a catastrophic fourth inning led to another loss on Sunday. Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney talk about the Brewers continuing to pull away in the division, Steele's fire not igniting a hot stretch and Jed Hoyer admitting that he has to be realistic and possibly sell come the trade deadline.Please leave this podcast page a rating and review so that more people discover North Side Territory. And submit any questions you’d like answered in an upcoming mailbag episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This Cubs season hasn't gone anywhere close to expectations. This episode Patrick and Sahadev take listener questions and unsurprisingly, the fans aren't happy. Topics range from whether they're selling or still buying at the deadline, was David Ross a scapegoat, who is to blame for the offense's struggles and more.Please leave this podcast page a rating and review so that more people discover North Side Territory. And submit any questions you’d like answered in an upcoming mailbag episode. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s still time to turn it around, but so far this team hasn’t inspired a lot of confidence. Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney evaluate all areas of the roster and wonder what the Cubs are really thinking right now. It’s setting up some difficult questions for players, management, and ownership because the Cubs don’t have many answers.Please leave this podcast page a rating and review so that more people discover North Side Territory. Submit any questions you’d like answered in an upcoming mailbag episode. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are the Cubs coming out flat? Or is this just a poorly constructed roster? Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney break down the latest Worst Loss of The Season, which embodied so many of the issues surrounding the team. Justin Steele’s brilliance is going to waste, and the pattern of losing one-run games is getting old. Hear what the mood is like within the clubhouse right now.Please leave this podcast page a rating and review so that more people discover North Side Territory. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ryne Sandberg will forever be a Cubs icon and a Hall of Famer. ---------What was the legend like behind the scenes? Before Sunday’s statue unveiling ceremony, Barry Rozner joins Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney to discuss Sandberg’s relentless pursuit of greatness and off-the-field persona. Rozner, a longtime Daily Herald columnist and fixture on the Chicago media scene, also explains the evolution of Sandberg once his playing career ended.Please leave this podcast page a rating and review so that more people discover North Side Territory. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Will Sammon, a great reporter with The Athletic, joins Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney to explain what it was like to cover Counsell in Milwaukee and why he’s not that surprised the Brewers are still in first place. With the Mets coming to Wrigley Field this weekend, Sammon explains New York’s evolving approach to the trade deadline. Alonso would be a great fit in Chicago — if the Mets actually sell and the Cubs finally get their act together.Please leave this podcast page a rating and review so that more people discover North Side Territory. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Chicago Cubs imploded in their 7-6 lost against the Giants. Sahadev Sharma and Patirck Mooney put together interview sound from Jed Hoyer and Craig Counsell to help explain the current situation of the Cubs. Between Hector Neris' blown save in the 9th, to the team not producing enough runs, the Chicago Cubs are feeling the summer heat. Please leave this podcast page a rating and review so that more people discover North Side Territory. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the losing continues at Wrigley Field, Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney break down the state of the farm system, identifying players who might be able to help revive a struggling offense or reinforce the bullpen at some point. Maybe there is some light at the end of the tunnel.Please leave this podcast page a rating and review so that more people discover North Side Territory. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney respond to questions from fans about whether Jed Hoyer’s front office should be feeling heat from the Ricketts family ownership group.They also get into how much Craig Counsell has added to this disappointing team, and identify the players whose names will keep popping up between now and the trade deadline.Drop a nice rating for this podcast with a question in your review and we'll answer it during the next mailbag episode! Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Craig Counsell says it’s too early for this stuff, but his team’s lackluster performance has created a lot of questions. Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney trace how the Cubs got to this point, and explain the mindset in Jed Hoyer’s front office. It’s not too soon to start thinking about adding a slugger such as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and seeing what he could do at Wrigley Field.Please leave this podcast page a rating and review so that more people discover North Side Territory. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At this point in their rebuilding cycle, the Cubs have not shown nearly enough progress. It feels like we’ve seen this movie before. The season looks like another slog with the team wasting good pitching, waiting for the offense to click, and hoping for any kind of spark. Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney break down how changing the manager — while keeping a lot of the roster intact — has exposed several issues for the organization as a whole.--Try AG1 and get a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D3K2 AND 5 free AG1 Travel Packs with your first purchase at drinkAG1.com/foul. If you want to take ownership of your health, it starts with AG1. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shotamania has probably been the best part of this Cubs season. But after two subpar starts, what should the level of concern be in Wrigleyville? Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney take an in-depth look at the scouting process in Japan and why clubhouse fit matters. It’s also time to reset after the Cubs clawed back for two wins over a historically bad White Sox team, and begin thinking about the trade deadline.Please leave this podcast page a rating and review so that more people discover North Side Territory!--Try AG1 and get a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D3K2 AND 5 free AG1 Travel Packs with your first purchase at drinkAG1.com/foul. If you want to take ownership of your health, it starts with AG1. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the crosstown rivalry resumes, The Athletic’s Jon Greenberg joins the show to discuss the bromance between Cubs president Jed Hoyer and White Sox GM Chris Getz, who are friends and neighbors in suburban Chicago. Greenberg, Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney also reminisce about some of their favorite Cubs-Sox moments and try to predict who will go viral this time.Please leave this podcast page a rating and review so that more people discover North Side Territory!--Try AG1 and get a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D3K2 AND 5 free AG1 Travel Packs with your first purchase at drinkAG1.com/foul. If you want to take ownership of your health, it starts with AG1. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sixty games in, the Cubs are adrift.There is no positive spin to a team that has a losing record and a negative run differential at the beginning of June. This has gone on long enough that the pressure is ratcheting up on the Cubs. Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney discuss the lack of star power in the lineup, a manager who hasn’t made that much of a difference yet, and how the momentum starts to shift.Please leave this podcast page a rating and review so that more people discover North Side Territory!--Try AG1 and get a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D3K2 AND 5 free AG1 Travel Packs with your first purchase at drinkAG1.com/foul. If you want to take ownership of your health, it starts with AG1. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Cubs keep finding ways to lose.Two months into the season, the Cubs are playing an underwhelming brand of baseball in every phase of the game except for starting pitching. Is this just a rough stretch in the middle of a long year? Or is it a sign of much deeper trouble for this team? Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney analyze Craig Counsell’s impact (or lack thereof) and what the return of Pete Crow-Armstrong means.Please leave this podcast page a rating and review so that more people discover North Side Territory.--Try AG1 and get a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D3K2 AND 5 free AG1 Travel Packs with your first purchase at drinkAG1.com/foul. If you want to take ownership of your health, it starts with AG1. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Cubs did not waste Ben Brown’s seven no-hit innings against the Brewers, a performance that showed how their season can go to another level. In the meantime, team president Jed Hoyer is telling everyone to stay patient and not overreact to what has essentially been the worst offense in the majors for about a month. Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney describe the scene in Milwaukee and Craig Counsell’s reaction to the reaction from angry Brewers fans.Please leave this podcast page a rating and review so that more people discover North Side Territory.--Try AG1 and get a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D3K2 AND 5 free AG1 Travel Packs with your first purchase at drinkAG1.com/foul. If you want to take ownership of your health, it starts with AG1. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Cubs manager heard the jeers from Brewers fans and mostly laughed it off during this highly anticipated matchup. Counsell doesn’t really care what people think, and he has bigger problems to deal with right now. The Brewers just keep rolling while the Cubs have reached a low point. Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney explain how the Cubs are handling the situation.Please leave this podcast page a rating and review so that more people discover North Side Territory.--Try AG1 and get a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D3K2 AND 5 free AG1 Travel Packs with your first purchase at drinkAG1.com/foul. If you want to take ownership of your health, it starts with AG1. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s been a brutal month for Cubs hitters, and a boring brand of baseball for Cubs fans to watch. Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney break down what’s going on at Wrigley Field, and where the team goes from here. At a certain point, the reasons for these struggles begin to sound like excuses. And the frustrations can’t be contained forever.Plus, a preview of the looming series with the rival Cardinals.Subscribe (free of course) to the brand new North Side Territory Youtube channel please!--Try AG1 and get a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D3K2 AND 5 free AG1 Travel Packs with your first purchase at drinkAG1.com/foul. If you want to take ownership of your health, it starts with AG1. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the most impactful pitchers in Cubs history has been moved to the bullpen. Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney explain what it means and how the Cubs plan to deploy the last player standing from the 2016 World Series team. That takes us to the Craig Counsell method and why the manager has instant credibility in the clubhouse. Plus what’s going on with the offense? And is there anyone in the minors who can help?Subscribe (free of course) to the brand new North Side Territory Youtube channel please!--Try AG1 and get a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D3K2 AND 5 free AG1 Travel Packs with your first purchase at drinkAG1.com/foul. If you want to take ownership of your health, it starts with AG1. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s the debut episode with Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney. The two Chicago-based writers for The Athletic take you behind the scenes at Wrigley Field to explain what’s going on with the offense. And why it’s so awkward for the team to watch Kyle Hendricks struggle. And how Shota Imanaga is becoming the kind of star who can change this season’s trajectory.Please leave this podcast page a rating and review so that more people discover the brand new North Side Territory! Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trailer for the new go-to spot for Chicago Cubs podcast coverage! Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE to NST on Youtube!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.