Rahimi, Harris & Grote Show - 5 On It & Meghan Montemurro talks red-hot Cubs (Hour 3)

Episode Date: July 2, 2026

In the third hour, Leila Rahimi and Chuck Swirsky discussed a variety of sports topics in the 5 On It segment. After that, Meghan Montemurro of the Tribune joined the show to discuss the Cubs sweeping the Padres. Later, Rahimi and Swirsky reacted to the Celtics trading star Jaylen Brown to the 76ers in a deal that shocked the NBA.

Yeah. It's time for five. Oh, Brian Harrison Rooney. Bring you five topics on their minds today. On 104-3, the score. I got five on it.

Number one. What was hotter Thursday at Wrigley Field? The temperature or the Cubs bats? I mean, I did not see that coming. I did not see the 23-run outburst coming. I mean, I thought it might be a 9-to-7 special again. And I mentioned this, Ray Diaz, Tyler Feringle, Chuck Swirsky. I mentioned that there were two fans in front of us in our booth at Gallagher Way yesterday.

And one of the guys goes, what do you think the score is going to be? And he's with a buddy of his. And I said, I don't know, probably another 9 to 7 game. And then the buddy goes, I don't know, man. What about 15 to 3? And then he goes, the other guy goes, yeah, 15 to 3. And I was like, I didn't say that. Well, I should have taken credit because he was way closer to the correct score than I was.

The temperature was hot. And I don't recommend for those of you who don't like the hot weather. You don't like the heat. Just stay inside. This isn't even a challenge. It's just the right thing to do. But 23 runs. Do you think the Padres went out the night before?

I don't know. I'm just saying. A day game after a night game? You lose two games. One in the Ivy. And then the next day you give up 23 runs. If I'm the new owners of the Padres, I'm calling a team meeting. Where were you last night?

That was ridiculous. And, you know, the normally solid Walker Bueller gave up nine run runs over four innings. I mean, and that's how you knew that the wheels were off. But here's the funny part, Chuck is. No, the wheels were off at about three in the morning when they went back to their hotel. An allegation by Chuck Swarski. I mean, come on. You can't give up 23.

You just lost two tough games. Yeah. And you come back, you've got to be kidding me. 23 runs. That is an embarrassment. It offended your baseball. sensibilities? It did. And then the third home run hit by Swanson, I get it. You know, it's major league baseball and all that stuff. That was a lollipop. Well, that was a position player pitching.

It was like wiffle ball. There should be an asterisk. Do you know what Dustin Rhodes in our first hour said the same thing? And what's funny is I don't know that Danesby Swanson would disagree. Like he understands. But when he was circling the bases you saw. I love Swanson. I think he's, you know, I've never met the guy. I don't know him. Right. But I, I've heard the interviews, and I've seen him. I think he's a class act. But he was circling the basis. When he got around the third, he put like the Michael Jordan two hands up in the air.

Shruggy. Shrugging, you know, against Portland with MJ, with, you know, beating Cliff Robinson with the three ball, right in the grill, and then Cliff Robinson's, look at the heaven saying, come on. Well, Danesby Swanson did the shrug. I mean, because what are you going to do? Your job is to hit. It's not your fault that there's a position player out there. And it's kind of the fault of the team, if you will,

for being so good that a position player is out there. That's like the guys across from us in the studio. And when they have a bad day at the office, and it happens to all of us. But when they hit the wrong button, they give the shrug. Hey, it happens. It does happen. It does.

See, they're shrugging respectfully right now, Tyler and Ray. I think we should do a segment called The Shrug. The Shruggy. Like, who gets the shrug today? So who gets the shrug then? You think Danes Boussons gives it or do you think the Padres receive it? Oh, the Padres. Okay, then.

Yeah, that was brutal. And how about the fact that the Cubs scored 23 runs? And then, oh, last week, don't forget, the White Sox had 22. Yes, they did. Now, for those of you seamheads out there, there is a question that is being asked by Levi Weaver and Andy McCullough of the athletic. And I think they do tremendous work asking if Major League Baseball, is changing the balls again. And those two games would give you an indication that that might be the case.

Because you know they're in charge of that. They're in charge of ball production. So they are able to do that with Rawlings. And that is at their discretion if they so choose. So what was major league baseball's response? Well, this is just a, they've never actually, they only respond about the process. They never like give an indication as to whether or not the ball changes. And then all these other people will collect samples where they can.

Meredith Wills is a astrophysicist who will collect. select balls to see what the difference is. That's what you majored in, right? Oh, yeah. Yeah, that's definitely where I'm in sports talk radio. I'm terrifying, the astrophysicist. I have a cousin who's a physicist. What do you do for a living? I sew baseballs. Yeah, exactly. But so they measure them, but yeah, it's just, right now they're doing this based on data and runs per game, but the 23 and the 22 might indicate that the ball has changed. Yeah. I mean, you're happy about it because it's us, but, you know. Yeah. Listen, the weather is changing around the country around the globe for that matter.

True. And when it gets hot, balls fly out of the ballpark. Yes. 23 runs. Come on. So here's another nugget since we're here, Chuck. You're talking Denver? No, we can, but yeah. Yes. Who did we see Bagley resigned?

No, so how about this? In the humidity, the ball is more likely to travel far. The humidity will aim to run. So there you go. There you go. We solved nothing. Absolutely nothing. Five on it.

Number two. Come shortstop, Dansby Swanson had his first career three homer game on Wednesday, which included a grand slam. This capped off a 10-game span in which Swanson has hit a total of eight homers and 26 RBI. Here's a multiple choice question for you, Leila and Chuck. Do you believe Dansby Swanson's offense is a sustainable, B, a flash in the pan, or C, somewhere in the middle? I think it is somewhere in the middle.

Yeah. Now, Dansby has not had the best average in the years that he has been the Cubs shortstop, but I do think that he wants to make adjustments. And it sure sounds like there's been some real intent, Chuck, when it comes to him trying to be his best self offensively. And I think that looks a little more like the numbers he had in Atlanta before he left for Chicago. So while I don't think it is necessarily sustainable because you don't expect Danesby's wants him to hit for power,

that was never part of the expectation. I do think that we are starting to see a guy putting good swings on the bat, being more consistent. And then, yeah, when you do that, a home run will come to you. And I feel like that's what we're seeing. The RBIs are as good a vacation as any, though, as to the success he's had over the past few weeks. Well, the quote, Bill Parcell's different sport.

Bill Parcells, you are who you are. Yeah. And sooner or later, those numbers are going to reflect what Swanson is done throughout his career. Mm-hmm. So I would agree with you. I think somewhere in the middle. If not, put him in the hall. Put him in the Hall of Fame.

I mean, he is on his terror. We got a Chuck call for baseball for Hall of Fame? Unbelievable. I did not see that coming. I wonder if Danes v. Swanson is a Hawks stand. Oh, yeah, that's a good question, because he's an Atlanta guy. Yes. Yeah, I guess we should ask him.

Yeah. The Hawks have had an interesting run recently. I like actually what they're doing. But anyway, we digress. No, that's kind of the idea. It's a talk show. We got time. We got time to digress.

Yeah. So, you know, that would be the first question. You come in, like, he, three home runs. Danzby, Chuck Swirsky with the score. Are you a Hawks fan? See, this is why we need more crossovers. Because none of us have asked Danesby Swansden. He's a Hawks fan?

What? Hawks, what? You know, the Atlanta Hawks. Oh, yeah. I just hit three home runs. Have we even asked him about the Falcons? Like we've never, have we as a collective ever asked Danesby Swanson about, you know, the other sport of focus in the South, aka football? Who is your favorite all-time Atlanta Falcon?

Oh, is it Andre Reisen? Is it Julio Jones? Bad Moon Arison. Yep. Why am I only naming receivers? I feel like I'm missing a running back in there somewhere. I have a running back. Dirty Bird?

Junior coffee. Dang. Yes. and when he would make a first down, a little cream in the coffee. I love that. Is that the call? Is that the call that you would use?

No, Junior Coffee was with the expansion ball club way back in the day. But they had a linebacker by the name of Tommy Nobus. Yeah. It was a great player at Texas. Longhorn, yep. Yes. Yeah, that's a good call as well.

You know, we try to. Jamal Anderson probably is up there. You know, dirty bird. But yeah, it might be Hunter. rising for me. Is that is that crazy? Deon Sanders. Deion. I think of him as a cowboy, though, because of me being from Dallas.

There you go. Julio Jones is up there. Yes. Excellent player. Yeah. Yeah. And he was a beast at Alabama. He was. Falcons talk on the score. Number three. This is five out and I-9-104.3. The score with Lailorahorheamy and Bulls Radio Network

Play-by-Play announcer Chuck Swersky. onions, baby onions. Here's question number three. Who is your pick to click for the White Sox series against the Guardians? I've taken the first two questions first. Chuck, I would like you to go. Who's your socks here? Remember, I was on your show. Who's your pick to click? Who's going to lead

the way in order for the socks to get a series win? Yeah, if you had to pick one guy in the lineup that you think is going to do well, who's it going to be? I'm talking Vargas. I like Vargas. Solid choice. Usually one of mine, frankly.

You know what? I think this is, there are a lot of feel good stories in sports. To me, in baseball this year, again, we have a lot to be played. But I think the White Sox are the story in baseball, period. They got what, the third best record in the American League? With all due respect to Tampa Bay. They're right now first in the AL Central, so there's that. So do you have the standings in front of you?

Let me get them right now. MLV.com slash savings. I think they've got the third best record. in the American League. The problem is the American League is just not good. I get it, but somebody has to win. Amen. So I would have said the Yankees, but I forgot they had a bit of a slide.

Yeah, they're in a row. So, yeah, right now, the Braes are 50 and 33. Yankees are 48 and 38. Rangers are 44 and 43, which is basically the entire record of the AL West. Like Seattle's 44, 43, Astros are 43 and 46. The A's are 41 and 46. And then your Chicago White Sox. Yes.

I'm not going to try. Sometimes I try to do the Gene Honda, but Gene is irreplicable. Yes, he is. The socks are 45 and 40. So yeah, that would indicate the third best record. I mean, really think about where this club has been and where they're going. I mean, they've got a really good farm system. They got the number one picking the draft with the kid Cholalsky from UCLA. They might pick Rock Chilowski. I feel like there's been some discussion as to whether or not they want to, but that's kind of the idea of the 1-1, right? You get your freedom. It depends because they got the shortstop that's going to go number two in the draft, the high school kid. And then they got the catcher from Georgia Tech.

Those are the top three players that are going one, two, three, or three, one, two, whatever you want to say it. It's kind of reminiscent of the 2019 draft in that way to me. You know, like Adley Rushman and Bobby Whit Jr. Yep. Yeah. Now, who would you rather have right now? Bobby Wood Jr. Thank you.

Yeah. So that's why I think there is some discussion there, you know. That's why I don't think it's a, it's not necessarily a lock for rock. But I did a show just before that draft, and they asked me, who would I take? And I love Oregon State players. Yeah, great program. Great program in Corvallis, Oregon. But I love Witt.

And you know what? They signed him to a really good contract for KZ. Yeah, the fact that they gave him that contract was really notable. And then he's a perennial also. contract and more. Yeah, absolutely. Okay, so there you go. The White Sox are going to beat the Guardians.

Chuck is picking the White Sox as his pick to click, but specifically Miguel Vergas. So I have to now pick a pick to click. And in the spirit of the midday show, somebody's got to take Sam Antanachi. And that girl is me. There you go. So I will take Sam Antenachi as my pick to click because Chuck Swirsky took Vargas. Well, you know Alyssa Bergamini very well, right? Yeah.

She's a part of our Bulls broadcast. Her dad has even called it to our show. Really? Yeah, Jim. See, Alyssa lives and dies because she works for the entertainment package in game. She's the arena host. She is. And does a great job. She lives and dies, along with her mother, by the way. Rhonda. They love the White Sox. They do. Now, my mom actually taught a former White Sox player. Which one? And there's a little history to this. His name is Bruce Howard. Bruce Howard pitched for the White Sox in the 60s.

He was, here's the story, and it's true. So it came down to an intra-squad game in spring training. They had to take one pitcher, Bruce Howard or Denny McLean. And Bruce Howard got the call from the White Sox and said, you're staying with us. Denny McLean, who won 30 games last 30-game winner in baseball, was released, and he signs with Detroit. Incredible. And my mom taught Bruce Howard in high school.

Well, shout out to Chuck Swirsky's mom. Mama Swirsky. Lover. Number four. United States men's national soccer team striker Flo Bowlagan will miss the team's round of 16 match against Belgium after being red-carded in last night's 2-0 win against Bosnia

and Herzegovina. Is this a World Cup injustice? Yes. I don't know a person who watches sports who thought that that was the right call on the red card. The fact that it was a possible red card and even being discussed. When it happened with Messi and did Messi get a red card? No, he did not. No, but I want to state right here.

And now he's out for the Belgium game. I want to give that referee the red card. He should never, ever do it again. Man, it's just nobody knows corruption like FIFA. You know? Yeah. I mean, let's just state the facts. And that was ridiculous.

That changes the whole World Cup. Did you know that that was Team USA's first win out of the knockout stage in 24 years? And we can't even get to enjoy this because of the ridiculous red car call. Do you know who agrees with me, by the way, other than everybody? Caleb Williams. Did you see he posted about it? Because even he thought it wasn't, this is a ridiculous call. It was a bad call enough to put that guy, the referee, in a one-way flight to Siberia.

I mean, that's where, you know what? It might be nice this time of year, though, actually, given the heat and everything. But you know what else? The fact that it was a VAR situation, too. The whole thing just reeks of a poor decision-making. It was very, very bad. Merga. That is...

What do we think? I think we can do it, guys. I believe in us. Yesterday, friend of the show, Brandon Pope, who is the president of the Chicago chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists, took to X to share the following summertime shy experience. quote, my Chicago summer nightmare is sitting on a CTA bus in sweltering hot temps with no AC going 25 plus stops. And I just lived it, unquote.

So I ask you, Leila and Chuck, what is your summer nightmare? Okay, first of all, shout out to El Presidente Brandon Pope, who is always a storyteller. And this is an excellent and yet unfortunate example of that being the case. Ray Diaz, not to be outdone, didn't you get on a train where the heat was on yesterday? Coincidentally, my morning commute to Wrigley Field yesterday, including getting on the blue line, and the train car I got onto had the heat blasting. So I had to remove myself out of that train car,

went over to another one, and the AC was fine. But that was not the way I wanted to start my morning, Chuck. That is my summer nightmare, is that scenario right there with the heat on. Bus with no 25 stops and no AC is also pretty bad. One of those is probably up there for me. Do you have a summer night? nightmare, Chuck. Well, my summer nightmare is because I take the red line a lot. Yeah, we're CTA people.

I take the red line and it's wall to wall. And it doesn't matter whether it's eight in the morning or eight at night. A lot of people smoke weed and the whole thing, just the, the aroma in the train car. I mean, it's like too strong, too much. Hey, if you want to, if you want to smoke weed, that's, that's your prerogative. But you know what? Just don't come into a red line and everyone's like gagging. It's bad weed a lot of the times too. It just smells bad. I mean, don't they have gummies for that stuff?

I think that is an option for people. Okay. Yeah. So, you know, but there's a lot of people out here publicly, confidently smoking some very bad weed. Wouldn't you guys say so? Oh, no doubt about it. Okay. So, so, I mean, I wouldn't know good weed from bad weed, but,

By the smell is how you know? I think the closer to a skunk, I think the more it's bad. That's how I feel. That's just me. One more quick CTA, PSA. Just saying. Please remove your backpacks when the train car is crowded and you walk in with your backpack. Take your backpack off, you jerk.

Yeah, you just hold it and you set it down so that way you take a less space standing. Common decency, people. And you know what? I was on the red line two days ago and a guy was hitting on a young lady. They had never met. On the train? On the train? And I'm listening.

Game. And I mean, I can't, I mean, I'm watching this. I'm saying, hey, you know, like, what are you doing? You're stalking somebody? No. And the other thing is, like, I don't get it. I just don't get it. Why people are on their phones having a private conversation and 30 people are listening.

Yeah, that's inconsiderate. Is it that important? Sometimes, but not always. Not always. I agree, Chuck. All of CTA etiquette, who knew that that would be the topic of the day on Rahimi Harris and Grody. Megan Montemarro, the Cubs beat writer for the Chicago Tribune,

who has been covering the offensive outburst that is the Chicago Cubs next. Rahimi Harris and Grody. I'm not a fan of any team. I'm just a fan of being right. Middays 10 to 2 on 1043, the score. Now the 3-2 to Taylor from Wix. Hit on the ground ashore. Danesby Swanson makes the play.

Cubs win the ball game. It's an easy one today. 23 to 3. They finish off a three-game sweep over San Diego. The Cubs have won five in a row. They have won nine of their last 10 and 15 of their last 19. Pat Hughes and Ron Cumer of On the Call, courtesy of the Northwestern Cubs Radio Network.

And we go to our hotline for more Cubs talk. That is where we find Megan Montemarrow, the Cubs beat writer for the Chicago. Tribune. She has a new Twitter account. She is at Meg Montemoreau just in case you wanted to know. So happy to have her on our show on this Thursday with Chuck Swirsky. Hi, Megan. How are you? I'm good. How are you guys? Good. Yeah, that's my first public service announcement. I know you're trying to get more people to your Twitter account. Your other one got hacked, right? So it's at Meg Montemoro with two R's. Correct. Okay. So good to know. Everybody make note of that on the on the Twitter

list. In the meantime, did you think that you would be covering a 23 run Cubs output yesterday? Yeah, I mean, when you look at just what the offense has been doing over the last, you know, seven to ten days, I mean, obviously the terrible, you know, four to six weeks stretched ahead offensively where it just seemed like no one was really hitting that obviously wasn't going to last forever. And, you know, I think obviously during that, those pair of, you know, 10-game winning streak. The offense showed what it's capable of doing. And obviously, you know, the conditions against the Padres for all three games were obviously very hitter friendly. And, you know, you saw the offense show up in a big way. We're talking to Megan Montemarro, Cubs beat writer for the Tribune here on Rahimi Harrison Grady with Chuck Swirsky. And what did you make of how Dansby Swanson has kind of talked about the offensive output that he's had pretty much since June 17th. I think a lot of people have isolated that rock. series is when we've started to see a change.

What's his bit, his demeanor been like, Megan, when he's talked about this? Yeah, I mean, I think it's really been a mix of, you know, working to address some of the mechanical issues that had been in his delivery, you know, when at the start of the season, you know, when he had a couple of good weeks to open the year, you know, a real focal point for him in the offseason and into spring training was, you know, being more athletic in the box. You know, he's such an athletic defender. He has a lot of natural athleticism. And so, you know, the focal point was really like, you know, bring that into the batters box.

Like try and not get too much into your head about like, you know, is your elbow at the right angle? Are you perfectly, you know, keeping your shoulder tucked in? Like, you know, he really focused on trying to focus on, you know, what you can control, which is how you set up in the box. And then after that, you know, try and let things take over naturally. And then obviously the other side of it is the mental side. And, you know, he talked about that, you know, even if you've been in the league for years, sometimes you just need, you know, coaches, teammates just to believe in you.

And, like, you know, reiterate, you know, you're a good hitter. Like, you're not, the numbers you're putting up aren't who you are. And so really, I think it was a combination of factors. But obviously, I mean, the slug has been the biggest thing, the number of home runs he's hit. obviously super impressive and you know obviously you know getting that kind of production out of the number nine

spot in the order too obviously really just changes the dynamic top to bottom hey Megan I'm a big fan of yours I'm just Joe bag of donuts here filling in but my name is my name is Chuck Swersky I do the Bulls but he's coming out of the bullpen today but I love your work by the way you covered the Phillies

for a while right correct yes well you're well I grew up with Larry Anderson as kids. Oh, okay. And Larry was a major league pitcher, and he pitched close to 20 years in the big leagues. Yeah. And we grew up together in Bellevue, Washington.

And little known fact. So Larry got traded for Jeff Bagwell. Yeah. Larry was with Houston. And I spoke to him the day after the trade. And he goes, I got some good news. I got some bad news. I said, what's the good news?

He goes, well, I'm going to Boston, and we got a chance to win. I said, what's the bad news? He goes, these guys are telling me around here that they, the number one prospect in their system, Jeff Bagwell. I said, I've never heard of them. Oh, no. So there you go. Anyway, Megan, a little story there. Love the connection.

Which is true. Yeah, the ball world. I'm looking at the division, okay, and Milwaukee is Milwaukee. How they do it every year is amazing. but I'm looking at St. Louis coming to town and the Cardinals, I don't want to say they're a surprise, but they kind of are. And then you get Pittsburgh, and Pittsburgh is doing much better. They're finally at least competitive.

I'm very disappointed with Cincinnati. I don't know what's going on there, whether it's their ownership or GM, and I feel badly for Terry Francona. But I want to talk about the division. How do you look at it right now with 80-plus games played? Yeah, I mean, I still, I understand, you know, the brewers are the brewers, and I'm a believer of, you know, if there's a team that's been dominating the division, like, they need to be considered the favorites until they get dethroned. And so, you know, I think, understandably, you know, Milwaukee is the team to beat in the division right now. But I just feel like it's just too early to really, I didn't count out the Cubs from the division. Like, I understand that Milwaukee has looked really good. I think the biggest question for the Cubs, you know, and trying to, you know, chip away at that division lead is, can they stay close enough and get some of their pitchers healthy?

Because, I mean, I think that's the biggest thing. The offense has shown what it can do when it's locked in. It can be one of the best offenses in baseball. They showed that last year, too. If they get a little bit more consistency in terms of not, you know, such insane peaks and valleys collectively, you know, they're going to be one of the toughest lineups in the majors. And so I think the biggest thing is, you know, you still have a couple more series against Milwaukee left on the schedule.

Obviously, you have to take care of business against the rest of the division, you know, getting a look at St. Louis again this weekend. But I don't think, you know, being five and a half games out, I just, I think it's too soon. You know, they're four back in the win column. So, you know, for the Cubs, they have to get their pitching healthy, especially the rotation. There's too much talent on the aisle right now to make it, you know, another three months of the schedule. And so to me that's really the key for them to run down Milwaukee. Okay, just one question, completely unrelated. But if you can be as transparent as possible, Kyle Schwerver, to me, I mean, I'm thinking this guy has legitimate shot at the Hall of Fame.

Is that too far-fetched or are you buying that? I mean, it's hard to say. I mean, as a Hall of Fame voter, I honestly don't know how I would feel on his candidacy. I would need to see, you know, what, what does the last few years of his career look like? You know, is he able to have pretty steady production, you know, until he retires? I think that's a big question. I know there's the career milestones, you know, 500 career homers and all that. You know, I would need to see what other numbers look like.

I obviously know his bat average isn't great, but that's also not what his strength is. And so I think it's too soon. I think it'll be a very interesting test case if he does get to 500 homers, which obviously he's trending towards. So, yeah, it'll be a really fascinating case. And I mean, obviously, if the Phillies find a way to win a World Series too while he's there, you know, I think you can't overlook that if he's one of the best players on a World Series team. So it'll be interesting to see what his full body of work looks like at the end of his career.

Yeah, I mean, Megan Lila, I mean, he's had seasons of 30, 38, 32, 46, 47, 38, 56, he's already at 30. Yeah, I mean, I do think it helps that, like, you know, I don't think maybe 20 years ago, a DH-only type player, I think obviously would have a much more difficult chance of getting into the Hall of Fame, but I think you have evolved on that, especially now that there's the DH in both leagues. So yeah, I mean, obviously those power numbers are super impressive. No, I think that that's, it's been a discussion, and you know this, Megan, and I feel like it's percolated over the past couple of weeks is based on the power numbers he's put up. It's something that will obviously keep tracking, but the playoffs may matter and their playoff success. The World Series, if that happens, may matter more than anything, especially when you consider the Dodgers. I also want to get back to what we talked about with the pitching.

So the probabilities right now, as it stands for this Cardinal series, it's David P. Peterson, who was great in his first outing with the Cubs, gave up only two earned runs over five and two thirds against Milwaukee. Then you've got Shody and O'Naga, who kept it in the park well in his last outing. And then you've got Javier Assad, who we saw in relief, give up four earned runs. I don't know if that holds on Sunday, but that's it, at least right now. You know, what do you make of Peterson's next outing? What are you looking for?

And then do you end up, do you think we'll see Assad end up pitching that outing on Sunday? Yeah, I mean, in terms of Peterson, I mean, given the. fact, you know, he basically had been around the team for like a maximum of 48 hours before he debuted in Milwaukee. I mean, I thought, you know, he was really impressive in exactly what they need. I know, obviously, you know, he gave up that home run to begin the game. But, you know, they need a guy who can keep the ball on the ground. He has a track record of that.

You know, he showed in that outing he's capable of continuing to do that. Obviously, the defense played well behind them. So he really should get a boost in that regard. And I think it'll help to, you know, talking to Carson Kelly after Peterson's Cub's debut. And, you know, he basically was like, yeah, I didn't have a chance to catch a bullpen. So I didn't really have an idea of maybe how his pitches move in person and fully discussed, you know, diving deep into his repertoire.

And so they really focused on his strengths. And, you know, in a situation like that, it's basically being like, what's your go-to, like, put-away pitch or when you need a strike and what's the pitch that gets your delivery back on track if you're feeling out of whack. And so it was really a crash course and he did well against Milwaukee. And so, yeah, I think it'll be really interesting to see, you know, what he looks like in his second start. But I think the early returns were really valuable.

And then in terms of Assad, I mean, yeah, I would expect him to start Sunday, how many innings that looks like, you know, unclear. But he got enough pitches in release the other night. to think he was around like 55, that he, you know, should be able to go a couple of innings. And the off days obviously help them move things around as needed. Megan Montemarrow, thanks as always for taking the time and have a wonderful holiday weekend. Sounds good. Have a great holiday weekend to you guys as well. Thank you.

That's Megan Montemorrow, Cubs beat writer for the Chicago Tribune. She has a new Twitter account, Meg Montemoreau. You can follow her there. Friendly reminder, we will be out tomorrow. We won't be doing the show. but I will be at many different places. Join me as I lead Budweiser's Celebration Road Show to commemorate America's pastime

and 250th birthday with your chance to win tickets to see the Cubs and Cardinals Saturday night at Wrigley Field. It is five locations, Chuck. You ask me how many? Yes. Five. So here's the timeline.

A chance to win tickets, by the way, at each stop along the way. Billy Goat Tavern at Navy Pier at 5, then Crossroads Bar and Grill on West Madison. That's by Chuck's office at 540. That's going to be the chance. challenge. Can we get to Navy from Navy Pier to almost the United Center? And who's driving again? Mitch Rosen. Mitch Rosen, the czar? Yeah, Mitch is in on this. Then, so after Crossroads,

then we go to the rabbit hole on North Wells at 620. So a little bit north and split the difference. The reveler on North Damon at seven. And then gaslight on North Clark at 740. Wow. I hear the Blues Brothers review like in the back of my head while reading this. Come out to drink fresh Budweiser, for your chance to win a pair of tickets to see Cubs and Cardinals on Saturday night, courtesy of Budweiser, official beer of the Chicago Cubs. There was a monumental trade that went down in the league yesterday, the association, Chuck. We should probably discuss it, right? Well, it's the talk of the NBA.

That it is, and it's going to shake up the Eastern Conference. Boston Celtics, trading away Jalen Brown. We'll do it next. Rahimi Harrison Grody. We are the best show in this town to have the coach and or quarterback sit right here. Because we're here for a good time. We are here for a good time. We're fun. We're funny. We're serious sometimes.

Sometimes we cry. Sometimes we laugh. Like, this is perfect. If you wanted a high chance of a drink spilled all over the studio, we are definitely repeated. Middays 10 to 2. Maybe we're the show for you. On 1043, the score. It is the summertime.

This is Rahima Harris and Grotia. 143, the score. Chuck Swirsky is in for Marshall Harris. with me, Layla Rahimi. And I mean, if we're going to have a basketball guy in, especially on July 2nd, that we have to talk about the massive trade that took place, not Janus, the Jalen Brown trade sends him out of Boston, sends him to Philly. And I think this is one of those, Chuck, where I know you said you, you aren't surprised by this. But I know, I know his name was brought up when it came to the Janus discussion. I understand that probably meant the Celtics were willing to head and part with him. But this still seems like such a, an absolute game changer in the Eastern

conference in the NBA. I don't know what Boston and Milwaukee, what they offered in the honest deal with Jaylon Brown. But once that happened and Milwaukee pivoted to Miami and got a really good package, by the way, but that was it. Once that happened, Jalen Brown was being shopped. And I don't know. I mean, he's a terrific player, great play. on the cusp, if he puts together another three, four years, you could see Jalen Brown in the Hall of Fame, speaking of the Hall of Fame. Put him in the hall. But I'm seriously, there was, everyone in the league knew that he had played his last game in Boston. The question is, where was he going? Now, if somebody told me a week ago, oh, he's going to Philadelphia for

Paul George and Picks, I said, what? But as we talked off the air, I'm a big believer in Brad Stevens. I think he was a great coach with Boston, and as an executive, he has made a seamless transition. He knows talent. He has vision. He has a grasp on players. And something happened along the way that there was a breakdown. And I don't know specifically because I'm not in Boston. Right.

But they obviously reached a point where they said, even with three years to go, Leila, Usually you want to get rid of a player with a year to go, three years where he's under contract and you know exactly what you've got with your cap, right? And they dealt them. Now, Paul George is coming off the books in a year, and you also have picks. So if you're Boston, you're saying, okay,

we are going to not necessarily rebuild, but we're going to reload. And draft capital right now with the aprons and with the CBA, Lela, as you mentioned, this a couple hours ago, first round picks are very, very precious to an organization. And now, if you're Philadelphia, you're saying to yourself, wow, we just got a great player. Can he play with Embed? I'm not worried about Maxie. Maxi can play with anyone. I love Maxi.

Defense is amazing. Yes. Now, you're right about Embedd, and what's funny, Chuck, is you stumbled into some sound that we have to go along with this segment. back in May when the Celtics were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Sixers. Jalen Brown was on Twitch and had a big discussion about Joelle Embed. This is my personal opinion on basketball. Some of y'all might disagree. You know what I mean? But argue with your grandma.

Flopping has ruined our game. Joel Embed is a great player. One of the best bigs in basketball history. Flops. He'd know it. It ain't break. freaking news. You know what I mean?

It is what it is. I can clip it up. Like I said, y'all can post it on these paid accounts that you're whatever. That's just my opinion. I think he's going to have to have a chat with Joe L&B at some point. He's not wrong about the flopping.

No, he's not. But, and you know what, players talk and they'll work things out. It'll be interesting to see how this comes together with Embed, Maxie, and Jalen Brown. Because I think one thing about great players, they want to play with great players. If you can check your ego at the door, they'll open the door for great players to come in.

So I think this was a dynamic trade, one of the biggest, again, with the Yonnas deal. If you're the NBA, you've got to love it. People are talking basketball in July, in the second day of July. People are talking basketball. If you go to any website right now on a national level, it's either story one or two. Not story five, one or two. And Layla, you know the television world as well as anybody. If you're ESPN, if you're Peacock, if you're Amazon, if you're a holder of national rights,

you don't think you want the first Boston Philly game. Christmas Day, man. You don't want that to be the Christmas Day. Day game. First time Janice returns to Milwaukee in a Miami uniform. You want that game. You want the Lakers now, the new-look Lakers. You want LeBron if he goes to Cleveland in the first Cleveland Lakers game.

I mean, there are so many storylines already in the NBA. And if you're Adam Silver, you know, because there have been a lot of bad stories, you know, about the NBA with the gambling situation, the Malik Beasley situation. the Malik Beasley situation. The three-point barrage that took out a playoff run last year, yeah. And so you've got a lot of stuff, but this is really good for the league because people are talking basketball, and this is a star-driven league. So you think LeBron's going to Cleveland?

I think that if Golden State could manage to get Anthony Davis there, I think LeBron would go to Golden State. I don't know in the cap work. world, and I don't know the assets Golden State has to really make that deal with Washington, that's why I still believe he's going to Cleveland. Yeah, Draymond opted out, so we know that, but that seems to be understood as possible restructure. Yeah, and he and LeBron are super tight, very tight. I initially, my first blush thought is Golden State, but I know there's been a lot,

especially in the last 24 hours, a lot of groundswell for Cleveland, that that seems to have taken the lead. But those are my two is where I assume he'd go. But when you said Cleveland, I had to ask, because you know, you're here and you know the league. Well, thank you. But I've been doing this a long time. Amen. But I think at LeBron at this point, he's chasing another ring.

And while I find that kind of like, well, let's just say I don't like it. I really don't want to go in depth about that because I really think if you're, If you're in that position from an ego standpoint where you want to chase a ring, what are we doing here? I mean, like, but it was very apparent the Lakers didn't want them back. They made some wholesale changes, man. Yeah. They absolutely did.

I mean, I like Walker Kessler. I love Luca. I like Luca. I love Luca. Big money for Austin Reeves. So, I mean, if, for people to complain about these three players, Walker Kessler could start for the majority of teams in the NBA. True.

That's not, you know, I'm not. I am not in agreement, yeah. Okay. Austin Reeves, despite his defense, and he does get targeted defensively, but he would be a starter on most of not all NBA teams. Would you agree with that? I think that that's fair too. Okay, and we know Luca.

Yeah. Now, what we didn't see... Should be the leading score in the league next year. Yes, he should be. And he probably will be. Yeah. And they signed as a free agent, Sandra Mamaski-Lishvili, who played at Seton Hall, played for Toronto last year.

He's a really good role player, very good role player. Colin Sexton, as we know with the Bulls, you know, his sample size with the Bulls, he was playing for a contract, let's be honest. Yeah. And so he wasn't coming back. With the $9 million that the Bulls have, it'll be interesting to see. if Anthony Simons comes here. Or, you know, there are a lot of teams right now,

and Simon's very, very patient, and he's seeing the landscape of what's going on elsewhere with teams, and there are a lot of teams right now who need three-point shooters. Want to make this discussion a three-man weave? Sure. Joelle Lorenzi, the NBA writer of The Athletic, joins us next. I'm Rahimi Harrison Grady with Chuck Swarski.