Rahimi, Harris & Grote Show
Elise Menaker talks Cubs' recent struggles, Pete Crow-Armstrong bulking up
14 May 2026
Transcript generated automatically by AI and may contain errors.
Chapter 1: What recent struggles are the Cubs facing?
rahimi harrison grody i'm not a fan of any team i'm just a fan of being right middays 10 to 2 on 104.3 the score micro armstrong up try to at least extend this ball game swings and pops it up left side kim makes the catch graves win
That is Marquee. That was Alex Cohen on the call. This is Rahimi Harrison-Grody on 104.3 The Score. And we go back out to Atlanta where Elyse Medeker is joining us on our hotline. Elyse, you've done great work as the sideline reporter, the field reporter for Marquee. All series, really interesting information that I think you've been able to pass along. Thanks for coming on.
Thanks, Layla. I appreciate it. Good to be with you guys.
Yeah, we had a lot of fun just talking about the report you had. We call them the hit. You know, I always say the sideline. The hit you had regarding Pete Crow Armstrong talking to Kayla Williams.
Chapter 2: How is Pete Crow-Armstrong preparing for the season?
The world cannot get enough of the modest Kayla Williams PCA bromance. And to hear that you said that you talked to him and then the workout and his breakfast got brought up. How did this conversation happen?
Yeah. So it started, I think it was like in the off season or at some point in passing, I had heard him like in an interview or Reddit, how he had talked to Caleb or observed about his recovery. And so it just kind of sparked in me. Like I want to ask him just if he's taken anything away from Caleb, whether it be just observing or talking to him. And so that's kind of how it all started.
But part of the hit was that. And then part of the hit was just my own observations, seeing him come into spring and, Looking at him, thinking he looked a lot stronger. I've kind of joked with him before.
I said to him last year, I'm like, I feel like I've watched you grown up before my eyes because I've known him now for a while, especially doing Road to Wrigley and just following him through the minors. And he kind of laughed and he has said, I think I am still growing. That's what he was saying last year.
Chapter 3: What insights does Elise Menaker provide about the Cubs' performance?
So that's why, you know, as I just kind of. See him day to day. And then, of course, spring is a time where since you're not around the guys for a bit and then you see them, you just kind of notice, you know, little things like that. And that's how the conversation started about just his routines, his recovery. So tying all that in just to kind of what he's doing to keep improving his game.
uh speaking of growth ben brown last time out getting a start and actually going for no hit innings throwing 46 pitches which is not the most he's thrown this season you got to go back to the season opening uh loss to the washington nationals i'm just curious how much more stretched out should we expect him to be today i mean could he go more than four innings five six what are the talks
Yeah, so part of why he went for it last time is because he was super efficient. And so that was a huge credit to Ben Brown and what he was able to do in attacking the strike zone, throwing strikes, getting ahead. This is just a confident Ben Brown. So I think each time out you can see him stretched out a little bit more because they are looking to fill a rotation spot.
And so Ben Brown, Javier Assad, they're going to be stretched out and then kind of go from there to see who's What voids they can fill, where the team is at as they start to do that. So I think this is a great opportunity for Ben, you know, talking to him over the years. This is someone who would talk about how he thinks he's a big league starter.
And this is sometimes how those opportunities come up.
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Chapter 4: What factors are contributing to the Cubs' offensive slump?
More than anything, when I mentioned that confidence, I feel like that's the difference with him this year. I don't think it's ever really been about the physical. He's a good pitcher. It's just been about, I think, adding that pitch. The sinker for him is a big deal. So having an extra pitch, essentially like four pitches for him now with that changeup too. And then mentally.
This is someone where I think experience helps. I think going through ups and downs, I think getting sent down at the end of last year, just the way he's handled it all, learn from it. He challenges himself. He pushes himself. It's just a really good combination. When you talk to him, this is just a player who it feels like it's starting to click for him.
And not that it didn't click in the past, because I feel like when you say that, it's like, oh, was that not happening? I think it's just always like about clicking in different ways.
Chapter 5: How does the Braves pitching impact the Cubs' strategy?
And it's like a good way, a better way right now for Ben Brown than we've seen in the past.
Yeah, man. Ben Brown going for the Cubs on the other side. That would be Chris Sale on the mound for the Braves tonight, 6-2 with a 2-20 ERA. That is probably no way to think about breaking out of what has been an offensive slump for the Cubs. What have you seen going on with the Cubs bats, Elise, from your eyes recently during this four-game losing streak?
I feel part of it is that the Braves pitching is good. It's really good. It's the best in baseball. And so it's a tough task, and this is one of the best teams in baseball that they're up against. So little things along the way, they're going to determine the game, a play here and there, a swing here and there. And it just comes down to trying to come through with that one swing.
You know, it was a couple games ago where it was the Braves who scored multiple runs in an inning. And the Cubs had a chance with bases loaded in that game and just couldn't come up with those big swings. That doesn't mean it won't happen.
Chapter 6: What does Elise think about the Cubs' mindset during this losing streak?
I mean, I think especially during the last 10-game win streak, we saw that very well can happen. It can happen consistently throughout a game. This just happens to be one of those stretches where guys aren't able to have those hits consistently. I think something that's consistent about this team is they find ways to get on base and they've still been doing that in this series.
Just again, needing to come through and you need to score against this team. It doesn't necessarily mean a lot, especially if your pitchers can keep you in it. But with the way the Braves pitching is, you just have to take advantage when you do have those opportunities, especially as we've seen later in the game, those high leverage relievers, I mean, they're going to be really tough. So again,
I like this Cubs offense. I think they're a good offense. I think they're just going to have, you know, this is just a stretch right now where it's not what we've seen, but this isn't their best, and so it means that they will hit.
We're talking to Elise Medeker. She's the field reporter for Marquee Sports Network, analyst as well. She is joining us from Atlanta. And, Elise, we have already heard from a White Sox team that is hyped up for Crosstown.
Chapter 7: What changes are expected in the Cubs' pitching rotation?
Marshall said this, too. I don't think that this is top of mind for the Cubs right now as they are facing... What is likely either the challenger for the National League or at least one of the NLCS candidates in the Braves? What's the mentality on the Cubs side of things as far as just trying to break out of this mini slump they're in? And has there been any White Sox talk leading up to this?
No White Sox talk yet. Definitely, day by day, needed to take care of the Braves. I think more than anything, it's the idea of getting back home. I mean, technically, it still is a road trip for the Cubs, but this is a team that very much looks at one day at a time. It's one of the things that I really like about this team. They're truly invested in the process.
and they don't get ahead of themselves. And I think that's why they're off to the start that they are, because even during the win streak, like they're not looking ahead. They're not assuming, oh, we're just going to keep winning. Like they take care of business each day.
Chapter 8: How are recent player signings affecting the Cubs' roster depth?
But I do think, especially from the fan side, there is a little bit like of a buzz of how the White Sox are playing and where the Cubs are at and about this series. And I know that even from when the White Sox signed Murakami, there was ā buzz about this team, or at least from my end. I like that signing, and I was excited to see what he could add.
The start that he's been off to, it feels like he's a big piece. We'll see, but it should definitely be a fun series as the White Sox, especially with the moves they made in the offseason, are more competitive and a challenge.
Real quick, we know you got to run, at least, but I'm just curious, has there been any buzz at all about the signing of Liam Hendricks to a minor league deal as they continue to just look for arms wherever they can find them?
Yeah, so Craig Council confirmed the signing yesterday and really just about adding depth. So taking a chance on someone who's had success in the past and why not, like you're saying, you know, with the injuries that they have had, this is a possibility and seeing how he starts to, you know, get back into it and where he can go, meaning he's going to go to Arizona.
So it's going to be some time for him to build up. This isn't going to be an impact arm right away. But then the hope is, of course, I mean, if this is depth that you could add someone, who's pitched in high leverage situations, you know, why not? So with where they're at, I think it just makes sense to keep adding all the arms.
Elyse, this has been fun to catch up. We appreciate your time from Atlanta and look forward to hearing you more on the call tonight. Thanks, Elyse. Thanks, guys. Appreciate it. Great to catch up. That is Elyse Medeker of the Marquee Sportsnet. Field reporter and analyst joining us from Atlanta. First pitch tonight is at 615 as the Cubs try to look to avoid the sweep.
That's going to be the hardest part. Is Ben Brown, is the first inning going to get to Ben Brown? Because, well, we see what the Braves hitters can do. And then also, how much is Chris Sale going to be able to get to the Cubs hitting?
The crazy part is that whether he was starting or not, this was going to be a Ben Brown game. Because even if, let's say, Javier Assad got the start, you were going to need Ben Brown in those middle innings. I'm wondering who's going to fill in in those middle innings now. I'm assuming it will be Javier Assad in the other way around role here.
But they've got to find a way to just cobble enough innings together to allow the offense to have a chance here against Chris Sale.
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