After 81 games, the Cubs are leading their division and fueling hopes for October baseball at Wrigley Field. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney break down the major surprises, developments and disappointments in the first half, from Kyle Tucker’s huge impact to Pete Crow-Armstrong’s breakthrough to the setbacks that rearranged the pitching staff. Now what? Keep listening for the coming attractions and what to anticipate ahead of the trade deadline. Get up to 10 FREE meals and a fre...
Jun 27, 2025•35 min•Ep. 156
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 first-place team. But the mental mistakes during a rivalry game in St. Louis cannot be ignored. Especially when the rotation looks shaky, the lineup doesn’t seem as deep and the division race has become much tighter. Try Huel with 15% OFF for New Customers today using code FOUL at https://huel.com/foul . Fuel your best performance with Huel today! ...
Jun 25, 2025•30 min•Ep. 155
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 of North Side Territory/Cardinal Territory. The discussion revolves around how these two clubs will approach the trade deadline, the succession plan in the St. Louis front office and Willson Contreras’ attitude during this transition period. The division is still up for grabs, and the Cardinals are still lurking. Download Cash App Today: https://cap...
Jun 24, 2025•35 min•Ep. 154
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 things for the Cubs, an organization that once saw Rafael Devers as a potential fit. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney explain what this trade means on the North Side, where Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow used to work closely with Cubs president Jed Hoyer. The Cubs are very familiar with these dramas, but the vibes right no...
Jun 20, 2025•30 min•Ep. 153
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” running around the All-Star Game. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney describe what it’s like to cover one of the biggest personalities in baseball right now. Plus, with the Brewers visiting Wrigley Field, a look at how Craig Counsell is pushing all the right buttons, showing why the Cubs made such a big investment in their manager. Get up ...
Jun 18, 2025•34 min•Ep. 152
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’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney explain what’s going on with the lineup, and Kyle Tucker in particular. Plus more on Shota Imanaga’s timeline and how the Cubs could rearrange their pitching staff once the All-Star returns. Schedule your PXG golf club fitting today at PXG.com/foul to save up to 20% on your entire order. Restrictions apply, see si...
Jun 16, 2025•31 min•Ep. 151
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 to offer this summer. Geoff Pontes of Baseball America joins the show to deliver his expert analysis and an overall state of the farm system. Having a first-place club with the backing of a strong organization means no trade idea should be off the table. Your new wardrobe awaits! Get 20% off @chubbies with the code foul in lower case at https://www....
Jun 13, 2025•32 min•Ep. 150
With the trade deadline approaching, listeners are curious about Sandy Alcantara as well as Jed Hoyer’s previous discussions with Miami’s front office. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney are back with more answers on trade possibilities, the looming roster crunch (once Shota Imanaga and Porter Hodge are cleared) and how the Cubs are constructed against left-handed pitching and for a potential playoff run. Try Huel with 15% OFF for New Customers today using code FOUL at https://huel...
Jun 12, 2025•31 min•Ep. 149
After a relatively easy May, the Cubs are facing much tougher tests during these road series in Detroit and Philadelphia. The experience should benefit the Cubs in the long run, and every good team goes through those moments. It’s just hard to tell whether this is a blip or the start of a deeper slump. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney give you their insights from the press box and the clubhouse, with perspective on Matthew Boyd, Jameson Taillon, Ben Brown, Matt Shaw and more. Try...
Jun 10, 2025•29 min•Ep. 148
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 missed opportunities doomed previous seasons. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney explain what’s going right for a first-place club that has overcome a lot of adversity and shown real signs of growth. Upcoming series in Detroit and Philadelphia should also be a better gauge as the Cubs figure out what they have – and what they will need a...
Jun 06, 2025•35 min•Ep. 147
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 to a legitimate playoff contender. What will be the calculus and the priorities for Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer? The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney explain the mindset within the front office and answer more questions from the audience. Topics also include Pete Crow-Armstrong’s offensive approach and the Michael Busch/J...
Jun 05, 2025•28 min•Ep. 146
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 this first-place team. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney provide context to Tucker’s injury, the latest on Shota Imanaga and the reasoning behind using an opener in front of Ben Brown. If the Cubs have largely figured out what they have, then the next two months will be about getting what else they need. At this point, the priorities at ...
Jun 02, 2025•32 min•Ep. 145
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 just that, rewinding several eras at Wrigley Field and appreciating some of the loudest personalities and biggest moments in franchise history. Though there are some minor disagreements, this is a fun episode with a ton of behind-the-scenes insights and unforgettable memories from the clubhouse. Get 20% off your first Slab Pack or card purchase by...
May 30, 2025•41 min•Ep. 144
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-place team tick. Cade Horton is prominently mentioned as a potential top-of-the-rotation starter. Matt Shaw has impressed everyone since his reset at Triple-A Iowa. But what is the front office thinking? Which prospects, if any, will be untouchable at the trade deadline? Plus more on the coaching staff’s influence on a dangerous offense. Go to harrys.c...
May 29, 2025•34 min•Ep. 143
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 Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney have it all covered, from Kyle Tucker being better than advertised to Pete Crow-Armstrong turning into a star. The offense is a juggernaut while the pitching staff is the obvious area to upgrade at the trade deadline. In any event, the Cubs can deliver a fun summer, and Wrigleyville will be rocking. Buy or sell your next car...
May 27, 2025•29 min•Ep. 142
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 report on Cincinnati, Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney bring in C. Trent Rosecrans, their colleague at The Athletic, ahead of a Memorial Day weekend series at Great American Ball Park. Tune in for more on Hunter Greene’s next level, the expectations around Elly De La Cruz and Terry Francona’s influence as the Hall of Fame-caliber manager brought i...
May 23, 2025•40 min•Ep. 141
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 most exciting players in the entire sport. To understand why this is happening, listen to Cubs assistant GM Jared Banner, who joins Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney for a conversation about PCA-mania. Banner’s insights are from his time with the Mets, overseeing their farm system when it included Crow-Armstrong, as well as his role in welcoming Cro...
May 22, 2025•23 min•Ep. 140
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 season. After a reset at Triple-A Iowa, Shaw is now back in The Show. What was the message sent to Shaw? How did his swing get so out of whack? Who else is out there if the Cubs want to make a move at the trade deadline? The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney get into all of those topics, plus more on the shaky state of the bullpen, and the inju...
May 20, 2025•33 min•Ep. 139
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 sides view the situation. That is a jumping-off point for more questions on what the Cubs will prioritize at the trade deadline, how much money is available for in-season additions, and where Moisés Ballesteros fits long term. You have questions. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney have answers. Get 20% off your first Slab Pack or card purch...
May 16, 2025•28 min•Ep. 138
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 people wondering if his roster spot was in jeopardy. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney take you inside the clubhouse to understand Turner’s process and his enormous impact on teammates. Plus, first impressions of Moisés Ballesteros and thoughts on the renewed energy at Wrigley Field. Get up to 10 FREE meals and a free high protein item...
May 15, 2025•30 min•Ep. 137
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 Moisés Ballesteros’ big moment, Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney have a scouting report on what to expect from the young left-handed hitter, and why the Cubs are making this move right now. Ballesteros follows Cade Horton, a top pitching prospect who certainly looked like he belonged in New York. These are things that have to happen in order for a team ...
May 13, 2025•36 min•Ep. 136
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 Patrick Mooney give a full preview of what to expect when the Cubs face the Mets this weekend. This goes back to what the Cubs saw leading up to the 2022 draft, and why they reached for the University of Oklahoma pitcher with the No. 7 pick. It’s also a sign of an organization that has evolved on the pitching side, and executed a deliberate plan to get H...
May 09, 2025•31 min•Ep. 135
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’s going on with Pressly and why the Cubs aren’t writing him off yet — while still looking at other options for the ninth inning and trying to put him in lower-pressure situations. Plus, a look ahead to this weekend’s series in New York, where Pete Crow-Armstrong will be a focus for Mets fans and the crowd of media. You just know that the showman side ...
May 08, 2025•27 min•Ep. 134
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 the injured list. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney provide the latest on Imanaga’s hamstring injury, the ongoing internal debate about Cade Horton and what that all means for a top pitching prospect. The Cubs have options, but the best one right now appears to be Horton, an uber-talented starter who’s positioned to make his major-leag...
May 06, 2025•27 min•Ep. 133
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 around the corner. The hot corner is an obvious topic of conversation as the Cubs cycle through options ahead of the trade deadline. From there, The Athletic beat writers discuss Craig Counsell’s influence on roster construction and lineup decisions. That leads into the Cade Horton question and when we should expect to see the organization’s top pitch...
May 02, 2025•32 min•Ep. 132
With the offense rolling through the first month of the season, Cubs hitting coach Dustin Kelly joins Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic for a wide-ranging conversation. Kelly explains the evolution of Pete Crow-Armstrong’s game and the impact since Kyle Tucker’s arrival. Plus, the message sent to Matt Shaw when he got sent down to the minors and why the Cubs aren’t worried about Dansby Swanson’s early offensive struggles. Within this Q&A, Kelly also gets into the vibes at Wri...
Apr 30, 2025•30 min•Ep. 131
After the Cubs passed baseball’s most difficult opening test, The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney share their takeaways from the first month of the season. Pete Crow-Armstrong and Kyle Tucker are the names that jump out in a much-improved offense. Craig Counsell’s blunt assessment of Ben Brown summed up the sense of urgency around the club: “We need better.” Already, it seems clear what Jed Hoyer’s front office will be looking for at the trade deadline. Go to harrys.com/FOUL for a $...
Apr 28, 2025•29 min•Ep. 130
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. And Kyle Tucker might be the best hitter in the game right now. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney explain what’s happening at this moment, from the Tucker effect to Pete Crow-Armstrong’s emergence to a catching group that has become a real strength. Two easy ways to support the show: Leave us a nice rating/review here and SUBSCRIBE t...
Apr 25, 2025•28 min•Ep. 129
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 recent years, the Cubs just put together two wild wins over the Dodgers. The entire scene felt like a potential playoff preview. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney share their takeaways from how the club matched up against the defending World Series champs. Get 20% off your first Slab Pack or card purchase by going to ArenaClub.com/FOU...
Apr 24, 2025•27 min•Ep. 128
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 division have also slightly lowered the concern level at Wrigley Field. But Cubs manager Craig Counsell and president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer are taking a proactive approach to fixing the bullpen. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney explain the trade for Drew Pomeranz, the differences between this group and last year’s unreliable b...
Apr 22, 2025•30 min•Ep. 127
