To discuss the deadline and set up a crucial week for the club, Cubs beat writer Patrick Mooney hosted a live Q&A with The Athletic subscribers on Tuesday. Here are some questions that were answered during the chat.

It is not unusual for All-Star MacKenzie Gore to limit his opponents from scoring. What is uncommon for the southpaw is a high walk rate.

Only the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres' starters have recorded worse ERAs than Chicago's rotation among National League playoff contenders. Gore would bring a much-needed swing-and-miss element to the Cubs rotation, and would immediately slot in as the club's third starter behind Shota Imanaga and Matthew Boyd.

With the Yankees' bullpen struggling, Brendan Kuty of The Athletic reports the team could try to trade for the Rockies' Jake Bird. Bird has been the Rockies' best reliever this year, and since Naw York and Colorado have already completed the Ryan McMahon deal, there is familiarity between the two sides this month.

Chicago Cubs are tied with the Milwaukee Brewers for first place in the NL Central and for the best record in the National League. Clearly, this Cubs t