The club’s performance over the next two-plus weeks absolutely matters. The Cubs can nudge some of the bubble teams they’re trying to do business with, the Twins and Tigers, and then create more separation in the division race during their road trip to Pittsburgh and St. Louis. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney lay out what Jed Hoyer’s front office is looking for, explain how Craig Counsell’s staff can remodel the bullpen and give updates on some pitchers the Cubs are counting on in the second half.

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