Only in Wrigleyville. A Cubs-Cardinals Fog Game, with neighborhood fireworks going off on the Fourth of July, became another chapter to this unpredictable season. The one constant, though, has been Pete Crow-Armstrong as the center of attention. There was no mystery or suspense around who would be the Cubs’ All-Star representative. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney explain how PCA got to this next level and why this performance is sustainable. Plus, a look at the state of the pitching staff with a much-needed All-Star break on the horizon.

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As a heat wave descended upon Chicago, the Cubs turned their games at Wrigley Field into batting practice, setting off some offensive fireworks before the Fourth of July. After questions about whether he should be benched, Swanson has responded with a red-hot stretch. Bregman hasn’t really heated up yet, but he’s in the news for a lack-of-hustle moment and a thumbs-down gesture. And oh by the way, Pete Crow-Armstrong just had one of the best months ever for a franchise marking its 150th anniversary. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney break it all down.

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Big show announcement: Jon Lester, a three-time World Series champion, will be making regular appearances as a special guest analyst on North Side Territory. In his debut episode with The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney, Lester talks about the 10-year reunion tour for his 2016 teammates, what made that championship club so special and how it compares to this year’s squad. Lester also explains what Alex Bregman is going through as a big free agent in a new city, the importance of clubhouse chemistry and how to approach this roller-coaster season.

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In front of three sellout crowds filled with Cubs fans, Craig Counsell’s team cut into the Brewers’ division lead with a gutsy performance. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney give you behind-the-scenes perspectives from the visiting clubhouse in Milwaukee as well as field-level insights. What do you think of the manager and the front office now? Why does David Peterson look like such a good fit? And where does Ben Brown go from here? Listen up to get ready for the second half of the season.

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The Cubs had to do something, given the state of their pitching staff. The David Peterson deal is far from a blockbuster move, but it makes a lot of sense for this team right now. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney explain the direction that Jed Hoyer’s front office is taking, assess the rest of the National League field and identify the trade chips the Cubs will have at their disposal this summer. Plus, what’s up with Justin Steele’s timeline and Hoyer’s recent comments on the radio?

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Amid an onslaught of pitching injuries, Jed Hoyer’s front office made a deal with the Mets out of desperation, hoping a change of scenery and an elite defense can help a one-time All-Star get back on track. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney break down the Peterson trade from multiple angles, including what the Cubs gave up, where they’re trending as the trade deadline approaches, and why they won’t stop now. Plus, updates on Ben Brown and Edward Cabrera from New York.

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Nearing the halfway point of the 162-game schedule, the Cubs, at times, have looked both like a World Series contender and a club that should be broken apart at the trade deadline. Those extremes have still left the Cubs in a decent position to make the playoffs, though the margin for error is much smaller now and winning the division appears to be a remote possibility. To put everything in context, The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney hand out their midseason grades for Jed Hoyer’s front office, Craig Counsell’s coaching staff, the everyday players at Wrigley Field and a battered pitching staff.

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Nearing the halfway point of an up-and-down season, the Cubs are searching for answers, and the fans have plenty of questions about the team’s direction. The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney are back with another mailbag episode that gets into the idea of Matt Shaw as a trade chip, how Jed Hoyer’s front office is trying to fix the pitching pipeline, Craig Counsell’s evolving lineups and more up-to-date information from Wrigley Field.

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