Rahimi, Harris & Grote Show - Has the Cubs’ offense exorcised its demons? (Hour 1)

Episode Date: June 18, 2026

Marshall Harris and Mark Grote opened their show by discussing how the Cubs' offense is showing a few signs of life lately, including in an 8-6 win against the Rockies on Wednesday. After that, they discussed the question marks in the Cubs' bullpen. Later, they discussed how the White Sox have failed to measure up in getting routed twice by the American League-best Yankees in the opening two games of their series in the Bronx.

The score! The views and opinions of Laila Rahimi, Marshall Harris, and Mark Grody should not be taken too seriously. Especially when they give advice. Do not take Marshall's analogies, literally. Especially when it comes to Russell Dorsey. The sports thoughts of Rahimi Harrison Grody may change at any time. It's just sports. Okay, thanks.

Bye. Rahimi Harrison Grody, 10 to 2 on 1043, The Score. Cam Jordan, if you were into the idea of the Bears potentially signing some veteran health at the edge. position, you could take who I thought was easily the best candidate for the Bears to bring in terms of his production, in terms of his consistency health-wise. This guy does not miss many games. Does Cam Jordan, he is off the board?

There are still some players on the board. Where is everyone? I have accepted, Mark, and I think I need you to come jump on this with me. It is what it is. It's going to be what it's going to be. Because at the end of the day, the day has to end. And that's where we are with the front for the Chicago Bears. What they have in house.

We have Cam Jordan at home. We have Hassan Redick at home. We have motivated Dio. You guys could maybe spend the 8 o'clock hour going through every splash play you've seen from Dio with Dangbo. You'd probably be done by 802. You've got to watch the day. You've got to see how it affects a game, man.

Come on. I need somebody to get to the quarterback. Can you or can you not get to the quarterback? We're going to find out. But are you on board with me, though? And just the resignation factor? Probably. I mean, I'm not saying that there won't be somebody signed or there won't be extra bodies in training camp, but nobody whose name we know.

No one you just named. No one. You know what? As a matter of fact, speaking of not knowing names. It's good to have fun with names. It's a hilarious exercise we did on the Take the North podcast on the episode. I think that's up and running right now, as a matter of fact, take the North. It's a Bears podcast.

It's called Bears player or Chicago Alderman. Because you have this roster with like 75 to 100 names, it's pretty good. tricky. It's pretty tricky. Even I got tricked up. During what months of pregnancy, does a woman begin to look pregnant? September. So Studs was the one presenting them to you? So no, Studs and I went against each other. Dan Weeder,

he's so mean, man. He knew he was going to make us look stupid. And he did. He accomplished that. Dan Weeter heard he was spot on pretty much for everything. I agree with everything he said. Lela Rahini, Marshall Harris, Mark Grody, Midday's

10 a.m. to 2. On Chicago Sports Radio 104-3, The Score. We are live, Rahimi Harrison Grotia, 104-3, The Score. Actually, Dan Weider did me dirty in that game. I mean, you can check out the episode on Take the North right now, if you would like. But you know how he did me dirty, Marshall? Somehow he rigged it so that Studs would win and he did win? Yeah.

Studs won by a half. Because Stutz is a real fan. No, he wants, here's what happened. The first guy that he said was for me. All right, Grotie, is this guy a bear or an alderman? There was a player for the bears whose name is Placencia. I forget his first name already, okay? And I said, I said, because I remembered the name because it's such a unique name.

So I did know that he was a bear. So here I am, all excited. I'm like, Bear, give me the point. He apparently had been cut the day before we recorded it. So we did her take a half a point away from me. Well, hold up. I thought it was bear or alderman. Right.

He's neither. though. Exactly. I got screwed. Okay, that's fair. By my podcast partner Dan Weeder. The Weedman, Weedman knows it. Prices better be going down, Weedman. I just love that you do a podcast with Weed and Studs. Yeah, and Adam Zitzinski was texting yesterday. He may have texted the show, too. I wasn't able to look. What's up, Twitchers? I know you're out there. I see you guys. Great to have you with us here on the Thursday of the week. But yes, Studs said, oh, you didn't mention that I won.

Well, guess what? And I said it on the podcast. I'm playing the game. The podcast, the game is under protest. I kind of like that for you. I like that you stood up for yourself because if you're done wrong, you've got to stand on something. I was done wrong, wasn't I? Stand for something or you'll fall for anything.

You said, I'm not taking the fall for this one. Oh, that's so good. But I do fall down seven times get up eight. I don't remember that. You've been over this. You can't fall down seven times and get up eight. unless you started on the ground because that means you got up, then you felled out.

You see what I'm saying? Ray, you were the one that was helping me on that last time. Help me out. I don't know how to respond to this guy. Yeah, if you're going, you know, upstairs, up the stairs, you slip, up the stairs, you slip, but then you can get up and go up one. And that's it. That's it.

That's how we figured out. I got you, no, no, no, no, that's it. Cut the tape right there. That's what we've been asking us to do for the Cubs for several days, but they keep rolling them out there. and guess what? Oh. The tape playback isn't as discouraging this morning.

It's not as discouraging this morning. The Cubs won last night, 8 to 6. In convincing fashion, ladies and gentlemen, there it was for everybody to see. Matt Shaw opened it up with a blistering line drive to right field, which turned out to be a triple, which turned out to score two runs. A nice two-to-nothing lead early on in the game. game for the Cubs. It didn't stop there because the guy who has been your cub of the week,

your scrutinyed cub of the week, if I could say that, Dansby Swanson with a two-run homer to be celebrated. How much relief? What did you feel on the Danesby Swanson home run? Did you feel relief? I felt relief for Danesby Swanson and for all of Cubsness at that moment. Okay, so I didn't feel relief because his average went up from 175 to 176 because he went one-for-four. forward the home run. What I will say is this is who Danesby Swanson is. He's a guy that is going to hit around 200, maybe a little bit more, give you some pop, give you some speed on the base pass, and give you gold glove leveled defense. I'm comfortable with that. He's the nine-hole hitter. I don't have a problem with that. I know he's getting, quote, unquote, overpaid for what he does,

but at least we know what he does. So you've accepted it is really what's happened here. Because when he came to the Cubs, this is not the player that the Cubs expected to be getting. They were expecting to get a little bit more offensive balance. And when he first came here, by the way, he had a hell of a hot streak, like for a half of a season and then never really got it back. I think for me, the understanding was Danesby Swanson was never going to be their best offensive player or really one of their best offensive players. He's there for the defense. I think it's been hammered home by everybody involved. Dansby himself, Craig Counsel, Front Office.

He is a defense first player who gives you occasional pocket. If he gets you 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases, and he bats 20-02, I'm comfortable with that. I guess I hate the fact that I'm, I guess I'm accepting of it to. No, I don't know if I am. I don't know if I am accepting of it. I'm still conflicted because that is what I have felt

from so many Cubs fans. Like when you talk, like good Cubs fans, people who watch every game the way we watch every game. They don't have as much of a problem with Dansby-Swanson. I'm even talking about coming into the year. forget about the slump and maybe opinions have changed because of this year and this horrid sort of streak that he's been on. But like coming into the season, I ask people,

what do you think about Danesby Swanson? And maybe it's because of how great he was in the postseason last year. And he was great. He is part of the reason why the Cubs did what they did in the playoffs last year, and that is to win a series and do a little bit of damage against the Milwaukee Brewers as well. He was great. Sometimes this happens with players in all of our sports. where they're not what you thought they were going to be,

but you accept them for what they are. Jason Hayward is always the comp for that. Jason Hayward never did enough with his bat. That guy rolled out to second base so many times, but one of the best right-fielers I've ever seen play at Wrigley Field, your guy, Hawk Dawson probably would have something to say about that as well, and I would love it if he had something to say. The Hawks got something to say.

The South's got something to say. I would even say Zonks got something to say. That's Keith Myrland, everybody. I always go back to 1984 if I can when it comes to the Cubs. But yeah, sometimes that happens. And I think that's where we are, or at least it's still turning into that, that he's that 1980-style shortstop where he's going to be, he's going to be great, but he might hit 230. Why don't we, though, hear from Dansby Swanson? Because Swanson, after last night's win, was asked, this is a pretty good stuff, was asked what it meant to get that home run.

Was that an elephant off your back or a gorilla? What size animal is that? Do you have a big swing and put your team up with two runs there? Yeah, I don't, my animal knowledge, I wouldn't say, what's the biggest mammal in the world that might be? I think it's like a blue whale, actually, but is that right? Yeah, yeah. Yeah, well, there you go.

Maybe that. No, I mean, I think kind of what I said post game too about just like that inning, I think for, in so many reasons, was so good for everybody. I've just like that's what we've been so good at in the past is just like having those big innings, really making pitchers work to get out. Using the ballpark to our advantage. Like that's what we do. And to have an inning happen like that felt really good, I think, for everybody involved. You know, like I said, I was one part of it, but I feel like the bigger story is the whole group was doing it. So it was a fun one to be a part of.

That is the bigger story, but Dansby Swanson right there with a massive swing. Yeah, massive like the animal, when he claims I don't have much animal knowledge and immediately names the largest mammal on the planet accurately the blue well. See, I question if Danesby's not playing with us a little bit here. Yeah. But I'm glad that he's playing with him. He's an animal ringer. Because that means he's having some fun. I don't know how much fun Dansby Swanson or frankly, most of the Cubs have been having in the month of June.

But here they are, winning back-to-back series. And I know it's against the two worst teams in baseball, but at least you got something that you can hang your hat on. What is the animal that you would least like to have on your back? Like if you're just walking around, because I'm thinking probably a rattlesnake. You can't trust a rattlesnake, can you in life? If you had that on draped over your back, I would. would not trust that for a second. A mongoose, I feel like a mongoose would be a problem, too. Mongoose might be helpful if I'm running up against some cobras.

That's true. That's right, man. But as far as on my back, probably the scorpion, just because I think of that old parable about the scorpion and the frog. Getting across the water. And he's like, I'm not going to sting you because we'll both die. And then he stings him, of course. And he says, why did you do that? I'm a scorpion dog. It's in my nature. That's what I do. That's what I do. I don't want to get stung. It's Rahimi Harrison Grody on 1043 The Score. He's Marshall Harris. I'm Mark Grody. And I can't believe it has taken us this long to get to this point. We need to celebrate something.

We need to celebrate something. What do you want to celebrate? Celebrate. I'm hoping for some celebration music. We were all thinking about you before the game last night. What were you thinking about, Brody? We were all thinking about you before. Alex Bregman, taking out.

of the two hole last night. And, and I'm not leaving out. Alex Bregman, Sack Fly, RBI, part of that seven-run second. I really did think, good for you. Good for you, Bregman. Sack-fly, that's all... Sack-fly. You'll take it.

I took it. So here's the thing. The Cubs able to bat around, obviously, to get the seven runs home in the second. That second inning started with an Alex Bregman walk. He scored on the triple by Matt. Shaw. And look, I'm not trying to, you know, feel vindicated or anything. Alex Bregman had some good at bats. He also struck out twice, or excuse me, he didn't strike out, but he walked twice. Here's the thing. I don't have a problem with Alex Bregman being in the lineup, Grody.

I think I've been very clear on that, right? Just don't put him in the place where your second best hitter, if not your best hitter should go in the two hole. Because now you're giving way too many a bat's to someone who's not your first, second, third, fourth, fifth, best hitter on the team. And if you look up and down that hit column, who's the only Cubs starter who didn't have a hit? I don't know. Alex Bregman. Oh, so I think that vindicates what I've been saying all along and thank you, Craig Counsel for listening and moving Alex Bruegman down to the five hole and letting other people do work. Peeker Armstrong, obviously with the Homer, Nico Horner, one for five, but keeps the line moving,

and say Suzuki with two hits, I feel a lot better. And remember, my first choice to put the two hole last night was Matt Shaw. Did he have a good game last night? He looked great, man. I mean, I just love the approach at the plate on that triple. Keep putting Matt Shaw in your lineup until he cools off. Absolutely. It's not rocket science here. No doubt. He is the spark.

He is the microwave. Get ready for an old reference. He's Vinny Johnson, the microwave. Is that an old reference? Yeah, that's an old reference. Come on, man. You know Vinnie Johnson? Yeah, the microwave comes off the bench and doesn't work.

That's from the 80s. That's an old reference. No? The 80s is a long time ago? It's a long time ago. I don't know that reference. We have young listeners. I don't know that reference.

See, we got young listeners. We got young producers. Vinnie Johnson played for the dreaded, at least from a bull's perspective, the dreaded New York, excuse me, Detroit, Detroit. You got New York on the mind. Get Robbie Triano on the horn right now. And Vinnie Johnson, he was a bench player for Detroit. When he came in, he would just fire off shot after shot after shot. and make a lot of shots.

Make way too many shots. And so they call him the microwave. Because Ray, he heats up quickly. You hit the power button. You hit like 60 seconds. You put him in the game. And your pastry is heated. Bing.

Yeah. Bing. That's right. It's a good quality nickname right there. You want to be in the microwave. You want to be known as the microwave. Yes. Yes. So that is an old reference.

The toaster. The toaster? You want to get toasted? I'm saying like, I think toasting has a bad kind of. outside of actual toast. The microwave is powerful, Marsha. Yeah, man. Power up.

The microwave situation. I'd rather be like the AI chip or something. I don't know. It wasn't me. Grody, you like to stir things up. I am not the one that messed up. I'm not the one that went in. Pop-Tart and the microwave sounds sacrilege.

We've invited Les Grobstein into the Cubs. See what happens when the Cubs score seven runs? Do you see how everything changed? changes around here for a day. We're a little bit giddy. We're a little bit ridiculous right now. That's right. They scored seven runs in one inning.

That is good. Yeah. They scored eight runs in a game. That is also good. Yes. A little bit concerned about the way they were watching that lead getting smaller and smaller. I did consider bad things late in that game when it got, well, obviously when

Jacob Webb, we were both wrong on closer. Jacob Webb was the closing. I was like, of course, Jacob Webb. Jacob Webb definitely deserved a shot at being the closer, and he looks like a closer. So I hope things work out for Jacob Webb. But old Kyle Caros comes in, hits a home run. It's eight to six at that point. And I'm like, these games have been ridiculous.

And winning is really hard for the Cubs, but they were able to do it. It did get freaky towards the end. I admit that. Kyle Caros took him deep. And I was like, wait, Kyle Caros is an Eric's kid? Yes, Eric Caros's kid. Again, do you know who that is, Ray? Eric Caros.

Yeah, please tell us you know who Eric Caros is, yes? Yes. Okay, so he played for the Cubs. Well, I'm just trying to make sure you were talking about knowledge, old. Yeah, no, for all you youngsters out there, Eric Caros, known as a Dodger, really more than anything, became a cub. He, it was an 03, 04? Like, because he had, he had his recorder. He loved being in Chicago.

He should actually get bears, Eric Caros. If it wasn't so long ago, he would have because he loved being at Riggily and loved the whole Chicago experience. By the way, coming up at 1245, how many bears? Yeah, we are doing how many bears. We get good stuff. Including the new head coach of the Bulls might be getting bears. I have a lot of questions, Grotie,

and I know we can continue this conversation about what this means now. When you know Daniel Palencia is not walking out of that tunnel for at least a couple of weeks, how are they going to get through, I don't know, better teams and get dubs? It's a great question, and I think that's where we should pick up the conversation here. where do the Cubs go from here? A very mature sounding Pete Crow Armstrong, talking about just that. And we have to talk about Javier Assad

and his performance last night. Some interesting words from Craig Counsel on what he saw from Assad. And I'll just say he was a little bit critical of what he saw from Assad last night. Not tearing it apart. Marshall's giving me a look like, that's probably not the right word.

Why don't we take the break and come back and we'll let the people decide on what they're about to hear. Oh, you're a populace now. Now you want to let the people decide. Okay, that's what I do, man. Power to the people. All the people. I walk in here every day, and what do I say to you guys? Power to the people. All the people.

We were all hanging out back there. Buterbaugh, and good to have Ray Diaz back. Ray Diaz is here. Tyler Buterbaugh is in the house. Our video producers, as always, you should log on to Twitch.tv slash the score, Chicago. Connor O'Donnell, Jacob Stutz, and Max Curtis are all here. We'll figure out what is next for the Cubs on 670 to score after this. Rahini Harrison Grody.

Really, really love listening to you guys. You do a phenomenal job. Middays 10 to 2 on 1043, the score. Here we go, the 2-2 pitch. And a one-hopper fielded by Bregman to his left. Throw the first Cubs win. They take the series, winning the finale of this three-game set by a final of 8 to 6.

The Cubs have won back-to-back series now. Zach's Aidman sounded good right here on 104.3, the score calling that two-run win for the Cubs last night over the Rockies, featuring a seven-run second inning, some good pitching from Javier Assad, five and two-thirds, two runs, five hits, and a couple of home runs. And as we ask, after seemingly every single Cubs win, and by the way, Cubs wins have been really fun this year. It's just about what's coming next.

As Axel Rose so badly wanted to know in Sweet Child of Mine, where do we go now? Now where do we go? Again, Marshall? Are we going to again for Ben Brown and Kevin Gosman tonight? Or actually, that would be tomorrow when Toronto is in town. A much-needed day off for Cubs fans who maybe have some heart medication that they take on a daily basis. Because it's hard to take sometimes, Mark. Nine walk-off wins out of the 22 home wins.

and then on top of that, you even have a game yesterday where it's 8 to 2, but it never felt safe because here come the Rockies chipping away. And I will say this about the Cubs. They are exciting. Now, whether you want to say exciting, like maybe we're going to lose an arm tonight,

like being in some real danger, that's one way to describe it. I strike it like this. If you've ever had to watch like a lifetime movie with your significant other, and you're like, okay, this plot is pretty obvious. We know how this is going to end.

We're just using this as a vehicle to see exactly how we get to the finish point. Oh, you're actually evil. Oh. Exactly. So you're watching this Lifetime movie. It could be, I guess, a Hallmark movie, too. Anything of that nature where the plot is pretty obvious. I don't know how this one's going to end.

So this is the antithesis of that. And I think that's one thing that makes this Cubs season, if not disappointing, Frankly, very interesting, very intriguing because you have guys that you didn't know we're going to be a part of the starting rotation being depended on every fifth game to do something magical. And I think that's where Javier Aside comes in and he's, who, has he not done the job of being one of the saviors for the Cubs? He's been absolutely terrific. And you know that I've been kind of negative on Javier Assad. But since the game that he came in for James and Tyone, which feels like, like a month ago because it's like three injuries ago.

That's what it is. You're counting not in days or in games, but by the number of injuries, right? Yeah, pretty much. Pretty much. So it really makes time feel like it's very, very long. But he's been absolutely excellent. I mean, he has been up for the moment. Five and two thirds, two runs, five hits. He did allow the two home runs last night. Craig Counsel actually discussed his thoughts on Javier Assad's outing. It wasn't quite as sharp tonight as maybe the previous two, but but still very, very good.

And, you know, he, I think that the cutter was a little bit. He missed with the cutter a bunch, but I think he did enough with his other off-speed stuff to keep them honest, and the fastball was good. And he got us into the sixth inning again. So really good start and important, and again, tough, tough day to pitch. What about the professional ways always handle himself? Had to go down to the minor as a bunch of days. times because of options and all that.

Yeah, I mean, I think, look, we talked about, you know, we've had injuries and you get opportunities from them, you know, are you ready for the opportunity no matter what's kind of gone on before? And Havi seems to be always at the ready for an opportunity. And you recognize that for sure. That's a great way to put it. That I thought he encapsulated it perfectly in that last sentence. He was ready for the moment because that's a great way to put it.

because that's what, unfortunately for Javier Assad, that's what he was forced to be. Like this whole season has been, you're not going to start the season with us. We're going to keep you down there, but you will be used. Be ready for the moment. And that guy has been ready for the moment, as has Ben Brown, by the way. Oh, Ben Brown in an even more spectacular way, just because of how dominant he's been with the sub-2 ERA on the season and an even lower ERA as a starter than he has, as a a reliever. So yes, he's getting contributions from a couple of guys in the starting

rotation. I still have lots and lots, and I know you do too, of questions about the bullpen and usage and who's doing what? Who are your high leverage guys with Daniel Palencia? On the injury list, I guess they're not even going to do further testing, like no MRI. They're just going to say, elbow inflammation. We're going to give you a couple of weeks, and then you can work your way back, which I would want to know every single tendon, every single part of the muscle, like I want to know exactly what's going on with Daniel Palencia. I'm kind of happy, actually. That they're not doing the MRI?

Give me the data. MRI usually tells me something I don't want to hear. But don't you? Oh, so you're one of those people like you don't feel well? You don't go to the doctor and find out what's wrong? Kind of. No, but I like the idea that they obviously look at him and say that it's not even worth the MRI that our doctors, apparently, can see that it is inflammation and he'll be

fine after that, and there's no bone. So that's where my optimism. So I know what's causing the inflammation? that be my concern. Well, don't you think if it could tell you that they would do the MRI? I don't know. It must not be able to do that then. Can I remind you of something?

Please. Here's a reminder from Marshall Harris. Kyle Tucker. Kyle Tucker. Did they do further testing on Kyle Tucker at first? Boy, did they blow that situation. How long ago was that? Yeah, you're right.

They haven't earned the benefit of the doubt. I would just say, let's find out what's going. I mean, it'd be different to me or you because that's coming out of our pockets. Yeah. professional sports organization trying to protect life and limb of every single one of its Major League Baseball players, especially one as important as Daniel Policier. Because again, look at the rest of the bullpen, Mark. Well, let's do that.

And as we said last night, because you and I kind of went back and forth on who would be the closer. You had said Ethan Roberts should be the closer. That was me throwing feces against the wall. I was just hoping something, well, I guess you don't want feces to stay. Hey, I totally understand. And whatever, Ethan Roberts last night, gets. in the eighth inning. Hunter Goodman,

who I believe hit a three-run Jack in Colorado. I can't keep track of all these Colorado San Francisco games right now. They're all blending for me. But, yeah, Hunter Goodman, a two-run homer off Ethan Roberts in the eighth inning. And that's when you started to sweat in the game. The game became less comfortable on Ethan Roberts's watch because the game became 8 to 5. I had said, I think I was going back and forth between Ryan Rawlison and Trent Thornton

just based on what they had done the day before. You're just throwing out names, Mark. You're just saying names. And Ray will like this too, by the way. The reason I went with Trent Thornton. By the way, relief pitcher or Chicago alderman? Trent Thornton's a good one. Gavin Hollowell.

Alderman or Chicago Relief Pitcher. Sounds like a federal judge. Yeah. He comes relief pitcher. Seriously, I think you could play that same game with those particular players as well. But I went with Trent Thornton because the night before, Ray's buddy, his nemesis. Hello, Phil.

Mayton had loaded the bases after two outs. After Mayton had retired the first two batters, he proceeds to load the bases. And counsel's like, I got to take you out. I don't want to do this, but I got to let you go. That's all I got.

I got to let you go. And they did. And Trent Thornton comes in, and the chaos was over. He was able to get the last out. And that ray is why I chose him as my closer. He did not play last night. I understand the logic.

But do you understand the heroic work I'm trying to do for you? I appreciate it. Yeah, yeah, just throughout the week. But here we are now, Mars, because we've got to get serious here. The Cubs do have a day off. So everybody take a deep breath today. They are off today. They are at Toronto tomorrow.

It is Ben Brown on the mound with his 174 ERA against old Kevin Gosman for the Toronto Blue Jays, who, by the way, is 4 and 4 with a 341 ERA. dare I ask who is the closer for the Cubs when they reassemble? I'll give you mine. You ready? I'm listening. I'm actually comfortable going back to Jacob Webb. I know.

He gave up a home run. He did. Kyle Caros, love your dad. Great job. I still like Jacob. I think Jacob Webb has earned another shot at being the Clubs. Tell me why. Because he's been very good lately.

previously to giving up a home run last night. And he did get the save last night. Yeah. He gave up a run, but he did get the save because he just happened to have a three-run lead. And relativity factor, too. I don't know that there's a better candidate right now. I don't know that I can actually make a case for Trent Thornton to continue to do it, for Ryan Rawlinson to do it.

I would have said Phil Meaton. And maybe we should. Maybe that's what you do with Phil Meaton. No. I don't want to see it. I'm sorry, Ray. I don't like that experiment at all. I'm sorry, I affected you like that.

So that's my guy. That's who I'm going to stay with. That's who I'm going to go with. I think I'm going to roll. You're having trouble. You're having as much trouble with this question as I did with who's the White Sox MVP of the Dodgers series. Well, look.

Tristan Peterson, by the way. Ryan Rawlinson might be the guy. Ooh. But here's the issue. He had a wild pitch the other night. Okay, a wild pitch. I know. He'll have too run.

but one wasn't on a ground out, one was on a well fit. Like he's got to lower everything than Jacob Webb in terms of the whip. The whip is the thing that concerns me, right? Because when you're in safe situations, you can't be out here walking people. And yes, he's walked 12 guys in 27 innings, which is not great as a reliever. And it's different if you have like this high strikeout rate. And maybe Jacob Webb is the guy. Maybe you're right.

Because he's got the highest strikeout per nine of any of the guys currently available with Daniel Palencia now on the injured list. Webb striking out 10 and a half batters per contest. He's got 37 strikeouts in 31 and two-thirds innings. I just, none of them give me this safe feeling, if you will. I understand. It feels like a roll of the dice regardless of what you do. And this is where Craig Counsel is going to have to tap into his Craig Counselness.

This is the reason he gets paid the biggest of the bucks. Yeah, I think it was Lawrence who said, I don't remember, was on the air or off the air, that, yes, Craig counsel is having to manage his ass off. Was that during transition yesterday? You know, it all blends together after a while because our conversations are real. That's why. Let's hear, because I mentioned that we're going to play this, Pete Crow Armstrong, as to the question of whether or not they're building something off this win

as we continually ask the question. Pete Crow Armstrong, after last night's win, was asked if this builds the team's momentum winning two series in a row. No, I'm not going to buy any of that yet. I want to keep stacking. I think what I'm happiest about is,

you know, coming out after a loss and getting a W the next day, I think that's what, that was what was really consistent about this team. last year and really strong and important, I think, as the year went on, was just the fact that there was, I don't know the numbers, but there was many times where we did lose a game, and then there weren't many days where he came back and lost again. So I think if we're, you know, if we're trying to find the identity of this team again and really buy into something,

I think that's a good thing to hang our hats on and at least push towards is playing for today and, you know, I just think it says a lot about a team and what they're capable of when, you know, when you lose the game and come back out the next day and forget about it. That's a good answer and it's the right answer, especially at the very beginning where he says he's not buying into the idea of momentum. There's been too much start and stop for the Cubs this year. They feel it the same way you and I feel it. PCA is me and I am PCA. He gave the answer as if he was sitting in the studio with us and we're talking about, Do you believe in the Cubs yet?

No. Again. Do it again. You know what? That's the theme of this season in my eyes. Again. Again. Just again.

Again. Do it again. We keep doing this and it never like really started. It never makes sense. And that's how we feel watching the games, right? When you see a walk-off win and then you see a team give up 18 runs the next day, that'll do that to you. Nothing makes sense about this season.

And it starts like the signature of the season remains. And that is, ladies and gentlemen. two 10-game winning streaks and a 10-game losing streak. You try to figure out the Cubs. Next, we'll try to figure out what the heck is going on with the White Sox. Not good things. In New York City, not good things. The White Sox fall to the Yankees 10 to 5.

We have to talk about it next on Rahimi Harrison Grotie on the score. Rahimi Harrison Grody. Of course I follow Mark Grody on Twitter. I love you guys, and I'm thrilled to be here. I've been listening to the score for many, many, many years. Middays 10 to 2. On 104 3, the score. Baum.

Gail Vargas to straightaway center, Beliger continues to drift and makes the catch just shy in the wall. And that'll do it. White Sox will lose this series to the Yankees in game two, the final 10 to 5. White Sox got to get out of New York. It's not a fair place to be right now because of all the Knicks' madness. there's too much winning happening. There's too much of a happy vibe in New York City right now as the White Sox again get pretty pummeled by those Yankees bats last night.

10-5 the final score. That's how the White Sox follow up what was the Tuesday 12-2 trouncing at the hands of the Chicago White Sox's. We welcome me back into the Rahimi Harrison Grotie show on 104-3, the score. And there he was again. Bally. Cody Bellinger 3 for 4 with a two-run Homer and it was Anthony K. I felt bad for Anthony K. Anthony K. from New York. Excited to be pitching at Yankee Stadium, excited to be in the Bronx. Those are his people. And then he just did not look particularly good last night. The White Sox didn't look very good last night. The White Sox have the third worst ERA in baseball in the month of June. That's why they're six and seven in the month of June. And they've had, don't give me wrong.

They've had some good wins. We, of course, know about the series win against the Atlanta Braves and the Los Angeles Dodgers, but they are not getting the job done on the road. In fact, this loss yesterday was the first time they had lost back-to-back games in quite some time. I bet. And it kind of hammers home the point that if you don't at least play 500 ball on the road, you're not going to go as far. Now, the saving grace in all of this is that the Cleveland Guardians are on the struggle bus,

namely because they're having to play the brewers right now. So the socks are still in first place, even after back-to-back losses. And the hope after the first game was, okay, flush that, it's just one game. Davis Martin has been better than this. It's not that big of a deal. But now I'm back to the original philosophy that I had

when Munataka Murakami went down. Do you know what that philosophy was, Mark? Survive. Don't get swept. Just don't get swept. And guess what? They haven't been in a position where they were going to get swept until now.

And now I'm back to don't get swept. Are they going to get swept? You think Sean Burke going to come through against old Ryan Weathers? I think the possibility is distinct on New York Knicks Parade Day. Oh, my God. Get out of there! For God's sakes, White Sox. Not in your favor.

Get out of New York now. The vibes are not in your favor right now playing against the New York Yankees in New York. It's crazy out there right now. The parade's already started, by the way. And for the White Sox to want to be in a position to salvage a game of this series, it's important. They have a very important series coming up. against the tigers where you feel like there's some blood in the water,

you can maybe stomp them out. And then, of course, the series with the Guardians coming up on Monday. That's the first series all year against a very injury-riddled guardians team. This is the time they should be able to take off, when or lose today against the Yankees. Yeah, it's about to be on for the White Soxie. Don't let the sweep happen, but for God's sakes, get out of there. It was a good night for Colson Montgomery, who had a couple of bombs

and one, one that felt like when Colson Montgomery in the third inning hits that three-run Homer and the socks are right back in. It's four three Yankees at that point. And then even Anthony K, he had a man on third with nobody out. He gets out of that jam.

Things were starting to look up. And then all of a sudden, in the fifth inning, Jose Caballero, the two-run hit off of Sean Newcomb that makes it six three Yankees. Sean Newcomb then takes that ball off the shoulder. I was just glad it didn't hit his head last night. Just a line shot.

He eventually has to leave the game. So this is the, I'm only going through all of this right now to outline that there was some bad luck for the White Sox last night because then you have to get somebody up. Tyler Davis gets a million warm-up pitches, all of that stuff. He comes into the game. And then guess what happened? Very stingy. Tyler Davis enters the game, gives up a three-run homer to Paul.

Goldschmidt, it's 9 to 3, and the game is over. So it was kind of a weird twist of circumstances that led to it. Not that they would not have blown the White Sox out anyway, but it did get a little bit weird in that fifth inning. No, the fifth inning was tough, as you mentioned, Jose Caballero, but overall, it just felt like the White Sox didn't take advantage of some of the opportunities that they had in this game, which, you know, to be fair, it's tough when you're on the road. But to go one for 10 with runners in scoring position, it's not like the White Sox didn't have chances. Where did they learn that? Now, where did they learn that?

Exactly from the Cubs. See, this is what happens. You think it's contagious? The kids learned from the adults, because the Cubs are kind of like the adults, right? Very veteran team. They're very much older than the White Sox, yes. Leaving all these runners on base. What do you think was going to happen to the White Sox?

No, no, no. You're right in that respect. I just, look, you can just reset yourself and understand you lost a series on the road, which they're used to. Haven't won a series since the first week of May on the road. So understanding that and understanding this is a bad situation, but play hard, try hard, maybe you win a day, even if you lose, flush it. It's one series against the Yankees, but I'm glad it's happened. And maybe I'm glad it's happened at the time it has because I, I'm glad. don't think these white socks were getting a little high on their horse, like they're putting

themselves on a pedestal. But if they were, if that thought had crept into anyone's mind, you are right back off that pedestal, because you now know what the measuring stick in the American League is. And that's just it. And that's why this is disappointing. I mean, you have a very rational attitude about it. You know, move on. You're just one series over the Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves, which was monumental. But separating that, when you look at this series by itself, it's a measuring stick. And we're at the point in the White Sox season where you want to know how we know they're good. I think everybody's accepted that the White Sox are a good baseball team that is capable of going to the playoffs. So now the season is about series like this against the Yankees.

How good are you? And unfortunately, the White Sox in these two games, 12 to 2 and 10 to 5, they've looked bad against the Yankees in this measuring stick series. I think the biggest problem with the White Sox is their offense is fine. Again, they didn't cash in on opportunities in yesterday's game, but when you know that your ERA is 5.79 in the month of June, the pitching, I'm not saying the wheels are falling off, but the wheels are feeling a little rickety. You know, like when you're in a car and something doesn't quite feel right

and you're riding along, I don't really want to take it to the shop because I'm Mark Grody, and I don't like to actually know what the problem is. I just want to see if I can survive and what I have. Just fix it. But you end up going to the shop. Yeah. And that bill comes due and you're like, well, it's like when you get the oil change.

I am at the point where they're showing me stuff. Here's your filthy-ass filter from your car with all these leaves and bits of grass in it. What do you think about that? Haven't you ever had them show you the filter? They're like, okay, yeah, what am I going to say to you? You got me. Don't replace it. Yeah, I had another 50 bucks on to my bill.

$300 later, I've got my oil change. No, that is a highly relatable experience for anyone who has ever been a car owner. And the car is, let's say, over four or five years old. see, hey, can I show you something? No. No, you can't show me. Don't show me. Can I show you the bottom of your car? What you've been doing? Nope. Just fix it. You know, it's funny about that. You know, modern times, right? So I go to my local mechanic and they just send you like this picture. And the picture has either green, yellow, or red next to each item that they've checked. There's a whole lot of yellow and you just don't want to see red because red means you got to

do something about this now. Are you going to have a real problem? Well, isn't that the, oh, that's the, that's always the thing, right? How long can I? So that'll cost you about $1,500. How long can I put that off? If I drive right now a 500-mile trip, am I going to be okay? Yeah, you'll be fine. It's all I needed to hear. Thank you.

Actually, that was life in my 20s, actually. I think that's life for every adult in their adulthood, period. Yeah, but you know how it is. And I'm sure there's people, a lot of people listening right now, and trust me, a lot of my life has been spent in the space where I can't afford to get my car fixed. Can I make a public service announcement? Please do. If you're listening to us in your car right now,

and your check engine light is on. Please immediately take your car to the shot. That's the one thing. If your check engine light is on, how long you want to ride that? Can't ride that. You'll end up stuck on the expressway. Hey, that is one thing.

You get your oil change. They usually take care of that stuff. Just turn off those lights. We're going to have another big White Sox segment coming up at 11. Steve Stoney. Steve Stone will join us to talk about what he has seen from the White Sox, not just this series. I can't wait to hear what he thought.

about the Dodgers series and what they've done against the Brave. So many more questions for Steve Stone and for White Sox fans coming up at 1125 on Rahimi Harris and Grotie. But next, next, though, Tiago Splitter held his introductory press conference. Marshall and I'll give our thoughts, our opinions on what we thought from the new Bulls head coach, and we have selected some very specific sound bites to play back for you that we thought were significant. It's next on 104.3, the score.