As September approaches, the Cubs are still staying in the playoff picture. Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic try to make sense of the offensive explosion in Pittsburgh and this recent surge that has pushed the club above .500. There are also newsy items to discuss regarding Drew Smyly and Jorge López, two key pieces of a bullpen that will be tested down the stretch. Can the Cubs defy the odds and finish strong, the way Craig Counsell’s teams typically did in Milwaukee?

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The rookie known as “PCA” is becoming a dynamic player, someone who can deliver a highlight-reel moment at any given time. Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic discuss what this development means for the future and how the center fielder has combined style and substance.

Miguel Amaya is another young player who has shown significant growth in the second half of a disappointing season. Should the Cubs trust that development or look for an upgrade at catcher?

Plus an update on first-round pick Cam Smith, who's tearing it up in the minors.

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Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic respond to listener questions about how the Cubs will approach Juan Soto and the free-agent market this winter and what might be different this time. Anthony Santander, for example, would be a good name to file away. There’s also an in-depth discussion about how to fix the bullpen and whether the Cubs are going to follow the same process and hope for different results.

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The montage on the Wrigley Field video board was essentially the only highlight for Báez in his first game back since getting traded at the 2021 deadline. Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney explain what it was like covering “El Mago” and watching him struggle mightily with the Tigers. The duo from The Athletic also discuss why the Cubs shook up their bullpen, dumping Neris before he gained a $9 million player option for next season. Does this mean Jed Hoyer and Craig Counsell are going to let the kids play?

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Cubs executives have publicly acknowledged that the team will likely finish the year over the $237 million luxury-tax threshold. What does this mean in a season that will very likely end without a playoff appearance? Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney go over some frequently asked questions, explain Sharma’s latest reporting in The Athletic, and look ahead to another monster class of free agents.

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The Cubs refuse to concede that it’s over — and there are still things to play for — but getting swept out of Cleveland damaged the team’s diminishing postseason probability.

But with the way this up-and-down season has gone, a relatively easy stretch of the schedule could pull them right back into the playoff race. Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic also bring you the latest on Rockies catcher Elias Díaz and whether the Cubs would see that as an upgrade — or if they would similarly dump players onto waivers if things don’t turn around fast.

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This isn’t their year. Maybe the Cubs can somehow defy the odds and sneak into the playoffs, but things simply haven’t lined up for this team.

Part of the organization’s frustration and uncertainty moving forward revolves around the pitchers who were supposed to take big steps forward this year. Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic bring you the latest on Ben Brown, Cade Horton and much more.

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