With the playoffs approaching, you have questions, and Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney have answers. The Athletic’s Cubs writers respond to listeners who want to know who will be starting Game 1 at Wrigley Field: Matthew Boyd, Cade Horton or Shota Imanaga? Plus a look at who might be the Opening Day right fielder next year, and what the Cubs will be targeting on the free-agent market this winter.

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One of the most popular players in franchise history is returning to Wrigley Field. Ahead of the ceremonial weekend marking Anthony Rizzo’s retirement and new role as a Cubs ambassador, Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney look back on what made that era so special, and why people gravitated toward the big first baseman. The Athletic’s Cubs writers also dig into the decision to (finally) put All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker on the injured list, and how general manager Carter Hawkins is emerging as a strong candidate to take over the Nationals.

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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. Kyle Tucker and Pete Crow-Armstrong seemed to benefit from their mental resets, but then the All-Star outfielders got hurt. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney explain how Cubs manager Craig Counsell is looking at the bullpen situation, and why he is sounding frustrated with the offense. It raises a question: Does this team look ready for the playoffs?

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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 the Cade Horton plan and what it could look like in the playoffs. Pitching is a focus throughout the episode, explaining how Craig Counsell and his staff could map things out in a postseason series. Also, does anyone remember what the Cubs got in return for Cody Bellinger in that offseason deal with the Yankees? Follow the money.

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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 important players. How the Cubs handle Kyle Tucker’s latest injury issue will be interesting. The hope is that Pete Crow-Armstrong will benefit from the kind of reset that Tucker took recently. And what has been the reaction within the clubhouse to the very conservative approach to Cade Horton’s workload?

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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 Sharma and Patrick Mooney start with Pete Crow-Armstrong, who has cooled off considerably after an MVP-level stretch that carried the team. What does Kevin Alcántara’s promotion from Triple-A Iowa mean for Crow-Armstrong? Plus, a full analysis of Chicago’s recent additions for the stretch run, including an explanation of the move for Carlos Santana, the impact on Justin Turner, and why it is not too soon to start thinking about the playoff rotation.

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You have questions, we have answers. Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney are back with another edition of their mailbag, which not surprisingly revolves around Craig Counsell’s decisions at a time when the offense is struggling. The Athletic writers explain what the Cubs manager is thinking and what they’re observing in the clubhouse. In addition to context on Matt Shaw’s development and Seiya Suzuki’s struggles, there are insights into the club’s pitching plans as October begins to come into focus.

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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 Taillon and the club’s pitching plans for October, vibe checks in San Francisco, and first impressions of the 2026 schedule that just got released. Inspired by pitching Tommy Hottovy – who recently put Kyle Hendrick on his “Mount Rushmore of Cubs pitchers” – The Athletic writers offer their ideas.

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