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.

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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.

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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.

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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 now are very calm. How long will that last?

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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