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 them in this position. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney break it all down, including a full report on the team field trip to Churchill Downs that Alex Bregman and Craig Counsell helped organize.

<p>The magic number is dwindling to a point where the Cubs will almost certainly qualify for the playoffs. Maybe it doesn&rsquo;t matter how they get there. But heading into the final week of the regular season, it&rsquo;s easy to spot the areas of concern. You also have to acknowledge the good things that put them in this position. The Athletic&rsquo;s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney break it all down, including a full report on the team field trip to Churchill Downs that Alex Bregman and Craig Counsell helped organize.</p>

North Side Territory is your go-to podcast on the Chicago Cubs. Hosted by Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma, NST brings you inside info and analysis on the Cubbies all year long. North Side Territory is part of the Foul Territory Network: Baseball the way it should be covered!

North Side Territory: A Chicago Cubs Podcast

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

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/d7f4c4b2-4867-4d0b-9fd9-b4ca00fc6f6a/transcript