Colin Rea shows he's a viable option in Cubs' rotation in a win over Rays (Hour 1)

Rahimi, Harris & Grote Show43mApril 9, 2026

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AI-Generated Summary

The Rahimi, Harris & Grote Show dives into the Cubs' recent 2-1 series win over the Rays, highlighting standout performances from pitchers Colin Rea and Javier Assad, who combined for 13 innings, one run, and just three hits allowed. The hosts praise the Cubs' offensive resurgence, particularly Nico Hoerner’s leadoff performance and the team’s ability to manufacture runs, calling it a crucial building block for the season. They also discuss the team’s depth and flexibility, especially with Cade Horton sidelined, and express optimism about the return of Seiya Suzuki. The conversation then shifts to the NBA, where the hosts condemn the widespread tanking culture, citing the Kings’ controversial foul call in a game against the Warriors as a tipping point. They argue that the league’s inconsistent enforcement of penalties—fines only for players, not teams—undermines integrity. Draymond Green’s call for team fines is highlighted as a necessary step. The segment concludes with a deep dive into the Oklahoma City Thunder’s successful rebuild under Sam Presti, using it as a blueprint for the Bulls, who are criticized for lacking draft capital and long-term strategic patience. The hosts stress that sustainable rebuilding requires embracing short-term pain and accumulating assets, something the Bulls have failed to do consistently.

Key Takeaways
1

Colin Rea and Javier Assad delivered strong starts, proving they are viable rotation options for the Cubs.

2

Nico Hoerner’s leadoff performance is now a permanent fixture and a key part of the Cubs' offensive strategy.

3

The Cubs’ ability to win against a competitive Rays team signals positive momentum heading into a tough stretch.

4

NBA tanking has reached epidemic levels, with 10 teams actively trying to lose, creating a competitive race at the bottom.

5

The Kings’ intentional foul on Seth Curry highlights the need for team-level penalties in the NBA.

…and 2 more takeaways available in PodZeus

Chapters
0:00
2 min

Sponsor Intro & Show Launch

The episode begins with a sponsor message from Jewel Osco and a disclaimer about the hosts' opinions, followed by a brief discussion on NBA tanking culture.

1:40
7 min

Cubs' Series Win & Pitching Breakout

Colin Ray can pitch. He's a viable option not over the course of a season for 30 plus starts but as a swing guy he's one of the top swing options if not the top swing option in the major leagues.

Highlight
8:20
8 min

Offensive Momentum & Lineup Insights

The discussion turns to the Cubs' offensive improvements, with emphasis on Nico Hoerner’s leadoff role, productive outs, and the team’s ability to score in key moments.

16:40
13 min

NBA Tanking Crisis & the Kings-Warriors Game

Losing is winning. Up is down. Down is up. Peace is weak. War is strength. You get the idea. It's not that dystopian, but we're almost there.

Highlight
30:00
17 min

Draymond Green’s Call for Team Penalties

Why isn't it the same? Everybody loves money. So, you know, the punishment for players is always let's take the money. Well, now it becomes time to punish teams and all of a sudden nobody don't know what to do.

Highlight
High-Impact Quotes
Losing is winning. Up is down. Down is up. Peace is weak. War is strength. You get the idea. It's not that dystopian, but we're almost there.
Marshall Harris20:47
Viral: 90.0
Why isn't it the same? Everybody loves money. So, you know, the punishment for players is always let's take the money. Well, now it becomes time to punish teams and all of a sudden nobody don't know what to do.
Layla Rahimi25:50
Viral: 88.0
Colin Ray can pitch. He's a viable option not over the course of a season for 30 plus starts but as a swing guy he's one of the top swing options if not the top swing option in the major leagues.
Layla Rahimi3:18
Viral: 85.0
Speakers

Hosts

Layla RahimiMarshall HarrisMark Grody

Guest

John Greenberg
Topics Discussed
NBA Tanking Culture95%Oklahoma City Thunder Rebuild93%Cubs Starting Pitching Performance92%Draft Capital & Team Rebuilding90%Player vs Team Penalties89%Team Discipline in Sports88%Bulls Draft Strategy87%Lineup Optimization85%
People & Brands

NBA

organization

25xNegative

Javier Assad

person

15xPositive

Chicago Bulls

other

15xNegative

Colin Rea

person

12xPositive

Oklahoma City Thunder

other

12xPositive

Sam Presti

person

10xPositive

Nico Hoerner

person

10xPositive

Kings-Warriors Game

other

8xNegative

Michael Reinsdorf

person

6xPositive

Seiya Suzuki

person

5xPositive

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