Rahimi, Harris & Grote Show
Shota Imanaga has another impressive outing in Cubs' win over Phillies (Hour 1)
22 Apr 2026
Transcript generated automatically by AI and may contain errors.
Chapter 1: How should the Bears utilize the 25th overall pick in the NFL Draft?
This hour is brought to you by Jewel Osco. The views and opinions of Layla 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, Harris, and Grody may change at any time. It's just sports. Okay, thanks, bye.
Rahimi Harrison-Grody, 10-2 on 104.3 The Score.
If you expected Billy Donovan to have a team next year in the playoffs, I don't know what you've been smoking. No, I smoke a pipe myself. What you're smoking isn't exactly what I'm smoking. The same probably applies two years from now. So that's six straight seasons, potentially, of not making the playoffs.
He's already a Hall of Famer. He's already won titles, gets here, spends six years, sees how this thing falls apart at the very end, and then is offered, or at least considered, to be either part of a Brad Stevens type of role where he moves up into the front office, or he's in a role where he becomes more of a factor in how the Bulls move forward as the future.
It's not going to be smooth sailing.
312 on the text line may have summed it up best. This ain't Bruno Mars. He ain't leaving the door open.
We need to move on right now. And they were right.
My immediate question becomes, what GM may be interested now?
Who's my team that followed since childhood?
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Chapter 2: What are the implications of drafting a cornerback for the Bears?
We're open 312-644-6767 along with Marshall Harris. I am Mark Grody. We have so much goodness on this show today. We're going to be talking Cubs in about 20 minutes or so. We got White Sox talk because it's worthy. It's still worthy, Marshall. They hot. They hot. They hot. They got that power going. We'll get on them White Sox at about 1045 today.
We've got Mike Florio on the show talking NFL, and he wrote a hot piece yesterday in regards to Diana Rossini and what Mike Vrabel said or didn't say yesterday, so we'll pick Florio's brain about that. We've got, would this be the third edition of 2026 of Who's Your Guy? You and Layla did Who's Your Guy yesterday. Yes, yes? It would be edition number three. Three out of four.
A four-part series that concludes tomorrow. I've been practicing, man. I want this to be good today. You have been practicing. I'm very proud of the cuts that you were taking in the cage earlier this morning. I was, man. I realized I needed to take a few rips, man. Yes, yes, so we will do this. So be thinking about that. Who's your guy?
Who is somebody that is a potential draft pick that you've been wondering about? And we will tell you all about that man at 312-644-6767. That'll come up in just a little bit. We've got full Bears hour with Herb Howard at 1 o'clock. I do believe the man will be in the studio. You doing all right over there, Mars Hall? You feeling good, man? I feel like I'm about to be a major pain in your way.
Oh, really? Really? Yeah, that's what we do, right? Oh, yeah, okay. I thought that specifically with what I was about to talk about. Oh, no, I think I... Just generally speaking? Yeah. Before the show is over? Before we walk out of here at the transition? Have you worked with me before? Oh, no, I fully... It already started backstage.
I think there was a little bit of poking during transition, even, because... I'm not one to poke or prod. I want everybody to get along. No, I said I was poking or prodding. Oh, that sounds more...
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Chapter 3: How did Shota Imanaga perform in the Cubs' win against the Phillies?
I was bringing up your white. I don't even know if you wanted me to bring that up during transition, but I feel like you're about to, if this white socks and this keeps up, you're about to take those socks to a different level.
Everybody just needs to stay up a little later and pay attention tonight. That's all I'm saying. Okay, fair enough. Fair enough. We'll leave it at that.
However, since the draft is tomorrow, I do want to start with Bears. And I listened to Jeff King yesterday, the Bears assistant GM, who got his first crack at the mic. He was fine. He was good at what all GMs are good at during draft season. And that's saying absolutely nothing of true substance. You could take things away from what he said. We could all pick it apart.
And we are analyzing hard for information from Jeff King. But one of the things... There was a few, maybe literally three things that stood out to me of any interest from Jeff King yesterday. But one of those things was that he said, and this is probably what other GMs are going to say, but it still struck me, and that is that what they want to accomplish in the draft is
is to get competition at positions, then to have to make hard decisions once the real stuff starts, which is true for any team. And then I thought to myself, I'm going to go through all the positions and try to figure out where there is actual, real, legitimate competition. not messing around, not just saying there's going to be competition because we know there's no competition at quarterback.
There's no competition at right tackle. There's no competition at left or right guard. So we understand that there are many places where there aren't actually competition. The first position that I did, and I didn't necessarily do it in any order, I just decided to start with cornerback. Okay, where is the competition needed at cornerback? And then as I went through this,
I realize, and I will state my case here in a second, Marshall, the Bears probably could or should draft a cornerback at number 25, or at the very least, with one of their second-round picks. That is a big gap, by the way, between 25 and one of their second-round picks. I guess it is.
But I guess what I'm saying is if they did that, I would be like, yeah, that's probably a pretty good move to do. You know that I'm on the safety train. That's what I was going to ask. Is this a change for me? Is this superseding safety, or are you saying an— either-or situation. No, I think it is, and this is me in the moment, fluid situation as always, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0. This is 2.0.
Tomorrow will be 3.0. Absolutely, 2.0.
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Chapter 4: What role does Shota Imanaga play in the Cubs' pitching strategy?
You need a corner. Let me start to lay this out, and some of it in a general way I think people know, but it really hit me, man, when I was thinking about Tyreek Stevenson. We'll get to Jalen too. Tyreek Stevenson last year. You know how many snaps he had in the finale game against the Detroit Lions last year? Zero. None. Nada. I'll even go back to December 20th against Green Bay.
His snaps were reduced to 38% in that game. He didn't start in the playoff games. Ben Johnson got to a point where he preferred a broken down, vulnerable, not particularly good Jalen Johnson. And there are obviously serious injury to explain that. He preferred vulnerable Jalen Johnson and Nashawn Wright to be your starters and not involve Tyreek Stevenson.
So that's a huge red flag when it comes to Jalen Johnson. They don't really like him. Or if they like him, they're not totally convinced about Jalen Johnson. They don't like him as much as you should like a guy that you took second overall, or excuse me, second round. Tyreek, by the way. 56 overall, Tyreek Stevenson. Yeah.
A second rounder, you should be like, this is a guy that's going to play well, be a day one starter or a year one starter at the least. At the least. And of course he's going to come back for a second contract. What are you talking about? He was a second round pick. He has value. We took him because we believe in him. Yeah. But that belief... You can go back to the fail Mary.
Sure, that's where it started.
It never got back to where it was before then. The potential has always been there, but you know what they say about potential. That'll get a head coach or a GM fired in a hurry. Yeah, no doubt. Matter of fact, let me take you back to last year just to refresh people's memories on what was going on with Tyreek Stevenson and what he was saying. What's going on? What do they not like about you?
So this is... after the Detroit finale during the week, and I got a mic in front of Tyreek Stevenson. Because it did seem odd that you didn't play at all in that game, at least from our perspective. Have they told you anything differently for this game? Like, have they told you, hey...
Be ready to be involved? I was told that last week, and, you know, I didn't get in. So, you know, just rolling with the punches at this point. But do you say anything to them?
Do you ask more questions, like why, you know, the whole part of that?
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Chapter 5: How has the White Sox offense improved recently?
Not only are they not sold on him, but I remember going back to 2024. When Terrell Smith was getting an awful lot of snaps the back half of that season. Until eventually the last three games, Stevenson got back to playing 100% of the snaps. But there was, what, a four or five game period where he was splitting snaps? Yeah. with Terrell Smith. We know Terrell Smith was not available last year.
He's supposed to be back this year. So you take him into account. You take Dallas Flowers into account. You take Jalen Jones into account. And some of those guys, straight up special teamers, right? Like only in a pinch.
No doubt.
Only in a pinch. And so because of that, you start asking your questions about if they take a safety or like a hybrid safety who's been a defensive back either or, like a corner slash safety, do they move Kyler Gordon somewhere else? Or do they have just multiple chess pieces?
That's why I think what you're talking about is fascinating because I want to know how Dennis Allen sees not only Tyreek Stevenson, but the other pieces he has on the roster right now. Right, and can they find their next Nashawn Wright? Is that part of the equation with the Bears, if they don't use one of the first three picks to get a corner? Do they think they can Nashawn Wright Zay Frazier?
Can they Nashawn Wright Jalen Jones? Can they Nashawn Wright Dallas Flowers? And just like this is building my case, those three guys. Zay Frazier, fifth-round pick from last year, who, as people know, didn't play personal stuff. He was in the locker room every time I was in there. He's present. He's very much around the team. So hopefully he gets a bite at the apple this year.
Look, Jalen Jones, six starts in four years. Dallas Flowers, four teams he's already been on. So you understand the types of players that these guys are. They are depth. They are special teamers. Working my way up from there. You mentioned Terrell Smith. Didn't play last year because of a torn patellar tendon, which he suffered in the preseason. And he's only had...
Six starts in the previous two years, and I know he's had plenty of snaps, and you're right. He was essentially, even in the training camp in which Terrell Smith and Tyreek Stevenson were drafted, one in the second round, one in the fifth round. I remember watching every inch of that training camp and seeing essentially those two locked up in a competition.
It's just been a weird ride for Tyreek Stephenson. Obviously, Ryan Poles likes him, but others have soured on him. Two other guys. The Kyler Gordon factor. Look, he played in three games last year because of the soft tissue injuries. But... I still got to hold out hope for him at 26 years old that he will get his act together, and he hadn't missed a ton of games previous to last year.
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Chapter 6: What are the standout performances from the White Sox players?
He's a nickel guy, right? That's my question, though. Is he only a nickel guy, or can you see a scenario where they get through this draft, they're looking at all the competition in-house, and they say, you know what? He makes the most sense to be outside when you have to go up against the Vikings and have Justin Jefferson on one side and Jordan Addison on the other.
I absolutely do, but I don't think that's a slam dunk. That's part of what I'm building up here is that I don't know about that. I know how versatile Kyler Gordon is. I know how valuable Kyler Gordon is. I don't know that he is in every snap outside cornerback. Here's a better question. Knowing what you know about what you said, your previous stance, mock draft 1.0 from Mark Grody. That's right.
That's right. People are talking about it. Are you more comfortable with Tyreek Stevenson as your starting cornerback or with Cam Lewis as your starting safety? That's kind of what it comes down to when we're talking about this. I would say Tyreek Stevenson in that case. Exactly. Because that's another thing, man.
That's why I think your cornerback at 25, not that it can't happen, but it doesn't make as much sense as the safety piece of this. But again, I think it will come down to how Dennis Allen sees whether or not any of these hybrid types, defensive backs, could be multiple chess pieces. Like Kyler Gordon doesn't have to be the only one.
They could take another guy, another safety, that does that kind of stuff. And you could argue Kobe Bryant can do both things. He could play down in the box or he can come up. He's a guy who's probably not getting blown off the line of scrimmage as other people have last year, whether you want to go with C.D.
Gardner-Johnson and the other guys they had to have fill in because they were so short-handed in the secondary. Yeah, that's a great name to bring up too. You're right.
And everything that they did, it seemed like when the Bears had injuries last year, especially on defense, especially at linebacker and safety and cornerback, they were able to successfully work it out, plug the holes, and look pretty good. I just don't want them to have to have maximum effort again this season. And then there's the Jalen Johnson part of this, and I kind of already indicated it.
Look, he played in seven games last year, groin injuries, the core muscle surgery, a duct or tear, choose your terminology. But Jalen Johnson, it scared me to see him play like he did last year, but I am choosing to believe that he didn't just fall off the table, that this is 100% injury-related.
He just turned 27, even though it feels like Jalen Johnson should be 30 because he's been through so much. in his time here with the Bears. He is just 27 years old. Last question for you. But he's still a bit of a mystery. Do you have a name in mind at 25?
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Chapter 7: What challenges do the White Sox face with their bullpen?
No doubt about it. So that's where I am right now, ladies and gentlemen. The Bears really need another cornerback. When we return here on Rahimi Harrison-Grody, baseball was good last night for the Cubs and for the Sox, but let's talk about the Chicago Cubs. And I know, Marshall, you came up with something very specifically –
other than just the fact the Cubs have won seven in a row and they won that game last night by a final of seven to four. And I think I am ready to accept something. Would that be a good way to put it? Or proclaim something? I think you just need to look at me in my eyes lovingly and tenderly and be like, you were right, Marshall. Right.
I don't know if you're right, but I am saying something that will at least make you happy. How's that? I knew when I said it backstage that you would be very happy. It's early in the morning. I'm not ready to just tell you you're right about stuff. But I am. Mark doesn't do that. I got way too much pride to tell other people they're right.
Wow.
Okay. I need to get on that tier. Maybe. We'll see. I'll think about it during the break. But we're talking about the Cubs next on Rahimi Harrison-Grody on 104.3 The Score.
Rahimi Harrison-Grody.
I don't want to break time. I want to yell at Marshall. Can we handle more Anthony Heron?
Middays 10 to 2 on 104.3 The Score.
The pitch. High pop fly. Should be playable. Dansby Swanson is there. Cubs win the ball game. The Cubs win it. And they've won seven in a row.
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Chapter 8: What are the predictions for the Cubs and White Sox this season?
But nonetheless, a huge hit with two outs at the time and maybe even bigger for Bushy because in the fifth inning, again, against the lefty Lizardo, he struck out with runners in scoring position.
He also had been retired even earlier in the, like, three times Bushy comes up with men on base, opportunities to do damage, and he finally was able to come through on just like a blooper that just got over the shortstop's head, too shallow for the center fielder. But when you're struggling, that's the type of hit you celebrate. You got the fist pump from Michael Bush.
So I felt pretty happy for that man last night. But Mars Hall, seven straight wins. I said you got to put together some of these seven to ten game winning streaks if you're going to be the team that wins the division. And if you're a serious team, you're going to have winning streaks like this. And it appears the Cubs are a serious team. Understand this.
Matthew Boyd, he comes in pitches tonight, right? Returns from the injured list, right? He does, yes. And in the time that he's been gone, the Cubs have put up a 3.35 ERA. That's third best in baseball. So the job that's been done by Javier Assad... And the job that's been done by Colin Ray. And the fact that... Throw Tyone in there, too, will you? Sure.
Jamison Tyone, despite giving up, I don't know, two home runs to the same guy, including a grand slam. Hey, they won that game, by the way. His last game against the Mets, though, was a six-inning one-run performance. It was. In a 4-2 game, by the way. Listen, I hear you. Do you? But... To be where they are right now and to understand that, say, a Suzuki has a home run.
Pete Crow Armstrong has a home run. Michael Bush has not a home run. Is he still at zero? Listen, man. The Cubs guys who were leading them last year and kicking and screaming when there was no Kyle Tucker, right? Those guys have not gotten off to great starts, but it doesn't matter, right? Because the pitching has been so good. And everybody, one through nine, has gotten the job done offensively.
That's why the Cubs are a team that people are picking to, at the very least, be the biggest challenger to the Dodgers in the National League. And still have a chance to maybe get to the World Series. They just got to get the division title first. Got to get favorable matchups in the playoffs, the postseason.
This is all building towards the postseason, and you hope that they'll add an ace or two. But I want to point out, they do have an ace on the staff right now, as was confirmed even further last night to, I don't know, people who would try to tell you that Edward Cabrera was the best pitcher on the team.
Take it easy.
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