For Cubs president Jed Hoyer, the offseason agenda is clear: Add a ton of pitching, catch up to Brewers

Within every end-of-season briefing with the Chicago media, the Cubs’ top baseball executive always has a few talking points, some things you might not have thought of before, and bigger ideas and themes that will shape the club’s planning and internal messaging. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and P…

The End: Cubs’ season is over after no-show performance in playoffs

What just happened? Yes, the Cubs looked a little shaky near the end of the regular season, but the Padres absolutely dominated this Wild Card Series from start to finish. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney provide insights and information directly from the clubhouse at Petco Park. Li…

With Cubs on brink of elimination, we’ll see how resilient they really are

What a clunker to open this Wild Card Series in San Diego. The Cubs looked overmatched in every phase of Game 1 as the Padres pushed them to the brink of playoff elimination. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney share their reporting and insights from Petco Park, where the Cubs definite…

As Cubs limp into playoff rematch with Padres, a look at what matters now (and what doesn’t)

What a finish to the regular season — Alex Bregman’s freak accident, Pete Crow-Armstrong’s 40-40 moment, a clinch party in Wrigleyville, a last-minute doubleheader at Fenway Park and a detour to Florida. It all leads into another wild-card series against the Padres. Before the Cubs travel to San Di…

What we’re hearing about Alex Bregman and the Cubs’ playoff planning

Bregman Watch is on. In an unexpected, overwhelmingly positive update — under the circumstances — the Cubs expressed their belief that the All-Star third baseman will play again this year, and maybe even during the final weekend of the regular season. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Moone…

Alex Bregman’s freak injury clouds the Cubs’ playoff picture

Even with their magic number to clinch a postseason spot cut down to one, the Cubs weren’t necessarily in a celebratory mood. The Bregman moment was that unsettling, and his presence is that important to the team. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney share what they heard and saw in Cin…

Cubs are on the verge of clinching a playoff spot, but are they trending in the right direction?

The magic number is dwindling to a point where the Cubs will almost certainly qualify for the playoffs. Maybe it doesn’t matter how they get there. But heading into the final week of the regular season, it’s easy to spot the areas of concern. You also have to acknowledge the good things that put th…

With offense/defense clicking, Cubs have everything except their bullpen in order for playoffs

Pete Crow-Armstrong appears to be a lock for National League MVP. Alex Bregman continues to show why he was such a coveted free agent. And Shota Imanaga is locked in again. The Cubs would be rolling into the playoffs — if their bullpen wasn’t such a big question mark. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma …

How the Cubs stack up in the National League wild-card race

The next two weeks will define the Cubs’ season. Making the playoffs is an annual goal that remains within reach, even a likely outcome. But until the first bottle of champagne is popped, the Cubs are going to have to sweat it out with the Phillies, Padres and Diamondbacks. The Athletic’s Sahadev S…

Cubs mailbag: Why do they keep getting lapped by the Brewers?

With the Cubs getting swept out of Milwaukee, it seems like a good time to hear what the fans are thinking. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney answer questions from listeners who want to know: Are Cubs officials as frustrated as Cubs fans when the Brewers are running away with the div…