Cubs get swept by Brewers (Hour 1)

0:00Wake up! Wake up! Come on, guess wake up, man. David Ha! David Ha? You muted in. Sorry about that. Hello, George. So, that was one of the best questions you've ever asked. Yeah, I'm sure it's going to get an answer just as good. This is Ha. Yeah. Okay. Ha, check me out, man. Jared Payton! Me, we want you to see this Jared Payton wearing his father's number number 34. I hear my name again, and I'm like, who's calling me? So, I look back at the people working and it's not them. It's this guy that's sitting down right by the door and he goes, Jared, man. Man, I love you on the score, man. I was like, I'm going to be off doing it. The hot and Peyton show. We were going to be miserable this morning as a cup fan base. That's one thing, you know. The other thing you know is that, you know, the Cubs are going to be that team.

1:00And this is going to be something you go into the playoffs with reasonable expectations. And your bullpen is limiting your ambition. These are our guys. They're going to get the outs. You go through tough stretches in the season. This is how you got to win games in the bullpen. You got to get outs. You got to get outs. That bullpen when it comes down to it. This is not just a one-night thing. This is an issue that has been plaguing this team and that they need to be able to figure out. Here's a little song I wrote. The Cubs bullpen can't stay up, look. Be worried. They're crappy. Can't get an out, can't hold a lead. Another blown save has dust in peed. Don't worry. They're crappy. First a single, then a double. When Craig grubs his head, you know they're trouble. Be worried. They're crappy. Craig Council, I know, is probably staying up late just really trying to figure it out. And offensively, they need to be better.

2:01You're not going to beat the brewers. When you play the best teams in the league, you got to do a lot of things right to beat them. Get up in the morning with the Ha and Peyton Show. Morning's 5-32-10 on Chicago's sports radio. This was the pillow talk going on at my house last night after that game ends. My wife leaned over and said, I'm sorry, they cannot beat this team. And then she rolled over the other way. Dustin, thank you for energizing me just a little bit. I didn't know about the pillow talk, but anyway... 1043, the score. Good Thursday morning Chicago. Welcome to the Ha and Peyton Show. Sports Radio 1043, the score. Here we go again. Feels like yesterday. The ambition is severely limited. Talking about the Cobbs. My hopes are a little bit damaged. Talking about the White Sox. But at least football is back. Good morning, Jarrett Peyton. How are you?

3:01Good morning, D.H. I was wondering how you're going to handle the intro. Love the intro. Brandon is on fire. Pretty similar to yesterday. My boys behind the glass, Dustin Brand. It was going on. Fellas, good morning to you guys. Appreciate you. Thanks for being here, Jarrett. It was another rough night. I did say in our group text after it was what? Four to nothing, Brewers. Thank God the NFL just kicked off. Thank God the NFL kicked off. My bets are looking better and better. It's the only positive. Wait a second. The bet that what? The socks and the cup of bones could misplay us. I mean, I'm just saying, I got to look at a positive in this. This is horrible. I am so mad that I did not go with you on that, man. My bad, bro. It has been a long week. The socks, they lose four to two to the pirates, which is what is the biggest problem. The pirates who really are playing for nothing. They're 500 now. Yeah. But you're the white socks and your magic number is reduced to 14 because the Guardians lost. You're clinging perilously to a two game lead in the A.L. Central.

4:03Sox lose four to two. The Cubs, meanwhile in Milwaukee, eight to six losers to the Brewers. It was eight to one for a very long time. And then the Cubs mounted a rally. They teased us. That's what they did. They teased us in the ninth. They come roaring back. They score a bunch of runs. They put a runner on second. Then they have the time run at the plate. And Craig Council decides to be paralyzed by analytics. And we'll get to that in a moment. But at least it was football. There was NFL football week one out in Seattle. The Seahawks and the Patriots came down to the wire. Kind of a sloppy game, Jared. Very sloppy game. But the 12th pulled it out. Yeah, I think the NFL being back kind of masked everything else that was happening with our Chicago baseball teams. But we also saw that preseason games are very, very valuable to having success early on.

5:04And we saw the sloppiness of what that game looked like last night. And you know, for three quarters, things were going in the Patriots way. And then next thing you know, if you can take care of the football, you have an opportunity to win. And that's what the Patriots could not do down the stretch. You need to protect the football, put it under lock and key. Drew Lock last night as it turned out. The only guy that I mean, he's one of the only guys that I know that knows every young GZ song word for word. Word for word. Word for word. Drew Lock? Yes. How did you know that about him? All you have to do is Google the man in this dude knows word for word every GZ song. Well, we'll get into what it means with Sam Donald's injury knocking him out after four snaps. And some of the implications in every NFL team, every NFL general manager watching that at home or wherever they were watching that game, shuttered when that happened because it's like, oh my gosh. This is one of those realities that you always think you're prepared for.

6:05Then when it happens, wow, it changes a complexion of everything. It took my breath away a little bit because everything that we did yesterday of breaking down, who we thought was going to win, the divisions and then getting to the Super Bowl. And that can all change in one snap. And that's what was scary as a Bears fan because of all the stock that we have in this Bears offense going into this season. If your quarterback gets injured, now you are sitting there searching for answers. You're right about that. The predictions, you do feel bad about them after you make them, but you know what, they're on the record forever. And then we brought back when you're wrong, when I'm wrong, when we're all wrong. Dave, you're never wrong. Well, it is only your second week. It is. It is. So we'll see. That was the first night of the NFL season. And tonight is the second. And tonight, the 49ers take on the Rams. First ever game for most of the, excuse me, I got you coverage begins at seven kickoff at 735 right here in 104, 3, the score and the Odyssey app.

7:10I was taking a back a little bit, but pleasantly, Mike Tomlin, very critical of Sean McVeigh directly when he talked about taking the Rams out to Australia waiting until as late as possible, 26 hours before kickoff. And he was like, that's, that's just not something I believe it. Yeah, but I love Tomlin. I do love Tomlin as well, but we just don't know. Do you have enough data to show that that's the wrong move? Probably not. So I mean, every coach has got to do what they feel is right for their ball club. And yeah, it might not make sense to us, but you know, we'll see. But I like Mike Tomlin firing from the get go. I will, I will take it. He was last night. I see him getting more and more comfortable as time goes on, but just his, his, his mindset and his take on the game is what I'm looking forward to this season. But how long will he be here? Because I know he's going to do a great job, but there is going to be a NFL team out there going, hmm, I get this guy in our building to coach our football team.

8:14You're exactly right. And it's going to cross everybody's mind every Sunday night when he is in the studio or wherever he may be offering his opinion and his insight and giving, giving NFL owners, mostly something to think about. As you watch that game, which drank me last night. Last year, there was a lot of conversation about how he's better than Caleb Williams. Well, he did finish second in the MVP. I understand that second is great. You didn't win it. Okay, so, so do you want to, I mean, is that still a thing? Because we just got a, a text early on from the 815 saying, I don't want to hear May over Williams anymore. Text the rolling in. Next thing you know, people would be calling when we talk about the cops. We're going to take calls. Where's Melody? Where's Melody? I need Melody to call. But please, Jared, I think that it went through my mind last night every time that Drake May dropped back and look shaky.

9:14I have never been though. A huge one. Somebody who would fall for that. I have respect for what he accomplished. I think that team last year over achieved. And it was largely because he protected the football times. I don't think he finished strong. But no, no, I would not take Drake May over Caleb Williams. I would take Caleb Williams 10 out of 10 times. Yes, Caleb. I felt that way even last season with all the hype that was around Drake May. I just think that Caleb Williams has is very, is special. The one thing that I do see that what Drake May and his game last night, which is so hard to defend, is when things do break down, he finds ways with his legs to be able to stand plays, get first downs and move on to the next one. It's a, it's a big part of his game. That's fair. He is very resourceful that way. I underestimate and think sometimes defenses do the fact that he's as mobile as he is. Last night on that final drive, when they needed, I think it was third and short, but he scrambled, got to the corner, beat the defender to the corner.

10:20And I thought that was, okay, that's very athletic. More athletic than maybe we get him credit for. But he made some terrible decisions on the stretch, especially in the fourth quarter, on the road against that defense that you cannot make. Well, you said it. That 12 man is a difference maker. In that, that stadium is tough. So to see that, you know, the rematch of last, this past Super Bowl ended up being a little shaky, but the end was fun to watch. The end was Drake May making a decision that he regretted later. The end was Drake May throwing a pick when you can't throw a pick and it sounded great as called by the great Kevin Harlan. Third down, five, Patriots down by three, 26 seconds to go. Shotgun snapped to May, moved out of the pocket, throws a pass, and so intercepted in the end zone. Was he in bounds? Intercepted by job. Seattle has picked off me.

11:22They've done it again. The defense of Seattle has done it again. Drake May is thrown his third interception in this quarter. And he was in bounds in the end zone. And Seattle is going to win it. Three fourth quarter interceptions. That's a character win for the Seahawks. They raised the banner. You worry about it let down. They lose their quarter back four snaps in. You worry about it drop off. Drew Locke protected the football, like you said. And their defense picked them up. They did it without Kobe Bryant who for them is an adjustment. They lost into free agency and they played that game against the defending AFC champion, a Super Bowl rematch, in a way that reminded you that defense still can win championships. I think that's the glaring thing for me is when your defense can hold up even when they don't play good for three quarters and then find a way to be able to get some stops and turnovers.

12:30Taking care of the football is still the name of the game. Defenses are part of winning championships and you got to have a solid one if you're going to extend your season all the way to the Super Bowl. All right, we've talked enough about this football. We've delayed the inevitable. We got to get to the Cubs. Oh man. I'm going to talk about other things. I'd like to talk all day about Mike Talman and we can talk football. We will with Big Z at 725 is Big's time. Clay Harbors in studio 825. We're going to talk about the Bears throughout the morning. But the Cubs did it again. The Cubs did it again. The Cubs ruined another night for me for many Cubs fans out there. They haven't won since Saturday and coming in. Yes, the bullpen yesterday was the biggest problem. They haven't solved that issue yet. But last night it was a starting pitching. And then I left with a terrible taste of my mouth because it was Craig Council. Explain this to me. You come back against the Brewers. It was 8 to 1 at one point.

13:32Then in the ninth inning, they rally and it's 8 to 6. You're right there. You can, it's 8 to 6. You maybe have the people that bothered to show up on a Wednesday night in Milwaukee to AMFAM. The place wasn't full. No. And you've got a rally going. And you've got Carson Kelly coming to the plate. Scheduled to come to the plate. And Abner Yerebae is on the mountain. He's the right hander. I get it. Carson Kelly was 0 for 7 lifetime against Abner Yerebae. I get it. Maybe even Carson Kelly is a little bit banged up. I would get that. I didn't hear that, but I wonder. Jarrett, B.J. Murray, pinch hit for Carson Kelly. He's got one major league hit and it was a squibber. It was a squibber. Because he bats left handed, does he give you a better option against Yerebae? Because he's right handed in a clutch situation against the Brewers in a playoff like atmosphere?

14:33Was that the right move? No, it wasn't because it didn't work. It wasn't the right move. I was scratching my head trying to figure out what's going on. And for a guy like Carson Kelly who the night before came up with a huge hit, I understand that we want to go and look at the numbers and the analytics and you can live and die by that. But sometimes some of these decisions have to be a field decision. And how does that make a guy feel who the night before had a big hit? You want to be able to extend that. Craig Council do this all the time with guys in the bullpen that are shaky. Jacob Webb, all these guys, I want to make sure that you know, build their confidence here. Isn't that shouldn't that go hand in hand with guys at the plate as well? If you did something the night before, give me an opportunity with a guy that has one major league hit. One! Carson Kelly gave us a fist pop tonight earlier. At the double, he had the double, at least, Craig Council.

15:33I worried that he wasn't going to be asked about it after the game. I worried that he wouldn't have to address it. But he did and this was the explanation when asked about why BJ Murray for Carson Kelly. When you send BJ up there, you know, head of BCA, how are you weighing the history of the two hitters that you have there versus the splits of your rebate? Deciding to pinch it for Carson. I mean your rebate's right handed hitters are OPS and 370 off them. They're OPS and 370 out of some. How about rookies making their 10th major league at bat? What's the OPS chances in those situations, Craig? I get it. He's leaning on the analytics. He's got somebody handing him a piece of paper or whispering in his ear, whatever it is. But I wanted to run my fingers through my hair the way he does after big moments when he sent BJ Murray to the plate. Because you know why? Everyone saw, Peter Armstrong's looming on deck just waiting to get to the plate with a chance he's the go ahead run.

16:34Yeah. He's the guy that you do trust a homer in that situation. Just give him a shot, bring him to the plate, get on base, do something. But here comes the kid, no, it's no disrespect to BJ Murray. He's been here five minutes. But you knew that was predictable. They worked the count. He got three balls and then boom, he goes down, strike out. It's a big moment. I would trust a guy that's been there before, just a little bit more. A guy that I know I can trust, if there's trust issues with his ball club at the moment and what Craig is trying to do, why not give a guy an opportunity? I mean, he's giving that guy an opportunity. I would give a guy that I know who has done it before in that situation. As you make a comeback here, you had an opportunity. You had an opportunity. And you let it slip away. You got swept in Milwaukee, man. You got swept in Milwaukee and coming into the series, it was like, yo, there's an opportunity here.

17:35I know the division seems to be out of reach. But if you can come into Milwaukee and leave with two or three, man, that makes you feel just a little bit better. Now, and now you're looking, I'm running my hands through my, over my ball pen. You don't even have any hair. That's what I'm saying, like Craig, like, what are we doing here? You're pulling all your hair out. You don't even have any. I wish I did. Out in Philadelphia, meanwhile, Schwarbom goes deep, grand slams. Phillies win again. They're up to when the lost column. The Cubs are, they're staring at a trip to Philadelphia for the wild card round. And nobody likes that idea. Nobody. The Cubs have it once since last Saturday, and it feels like last month. That would just was very frustrating way to end the game that I had given up on even paying attention to after an eight to one lead. Nonetheless, all right, white socks. Their magic number is still 14. That's the good news.

18:36They lost four to two. That's the not so good news. There was a little bit of fire, though, maybe a sparklit or ignited because they went down, but they did not do so quietly. They got a good start from Davis Martin. We'll talk about that during the pick six. But Sam Antonacci was at it again. So he's setting it up. He's running into second. There's a force out. And then he extends an elbow. And Brandon Lau didn't appreciate it for the pirates. And did you initially, when you saw the replay, did you see it? I mean, it's hard to miss. Yeah, it's hard to miss. I mean, it's not too bad. Because he did kind of extend and he was trying to make some contact. Yeah, I saw it. I saw what was going down a little bit. And I can understand why La was upset as well. I mean, listen, no punches were thrown. Not a baseball fight. It's just a baseball fight. Everybody was bored of coming out to be seen. Yeah.

19:36Well, see, that's the thing. Maybe it was. There was a little bit of a law setting in. The white socks have been in a law themselves. They're having a tough week, too. Maybe this ignites them. Maybe this wakes people up. Maybe that was the idea that Antonacci, who is the catalyst at the top of the order and certainly top of mind after plays like that. Yeah, you got to have somebody like that inside of your clubhouse, man, that you want that could fire it up a little bit. But the white socks can use as much help as possible right now. Because they need to wake up as well. Well, Sam Antonacci is trying. His post game explanation, because it was it was the biggest thing that happened from a white socks perspective outside of the Davis Martin start. But Antonacci was asked to explain himself. This is about a minute, but it's worth listening to. Sam Antonacci, post game. Base were loaded and, you know, went into the base pretty hard just, you know, trying to make a hard throw for him to have to make. You know, completely legal play. If you, you know, go look at the rule book or go look at what happened.

20:39You know, you can slide as late as you want as long as you keep contact with the bag. And that's exactly what happened. And I think nowadays in this game, this age, I think a lot of people are used to, you know, just letting up on that play. You know, they say, you know, we play, we play one 62 games, you know, just a let up early. I don't want to make contact with them, but, you know, here we're trying to get it run anyway we can. And that's a close ball game. And these are playoff games. And all I'm trying to do is sketch around there. And, yeah, sure, he's a great guy. But, you know, he, you get a few choice words to say at the end and then kind of, you know, walk the way after that. And, yeah, when you have a problem and you walk away like that, that's, I'm happy enough to have a conversation, but you can't walk away. And, you know, he's a grown man. So, but like I said, with all that being said, they won the game.

21:43So, you know, they get the last laugh, I guess you could say. True. See him in Tannachi. Good explanation. I love the fact that he faced whatever everybody was wondering and addressed it. But, Derek, he wasn't like he went at his guy's ankles. He didn't try to take him out of the knees. He extended his elbow a little bit. That's the softest response from Brandon Lau. And, why is that a big deal? It's baseball. I get it. It's a non-contact sport, but come on. Some guys are soft, though. David, some guys are soft. What the biggest issue is they were one for eight runners of scoring position last night. Offense was nowhere to be found as well. That's true. So, I mean, you got a solid start from Davis Martin. Well, I know we'll talk about that in the pick six, but offensively they just got to be better. But, a lot of softness. Moonae Homer. Hey, we got a Homer from Murk Kami. There we go. So, that was a good start. After all those strikeouts. Yeah. How many times did he strike out? I mean, he's struck out a lot.

22:44That's his thing. You're not going to complain about the strikeouts if he could hit the Homer. He struck out his first two times up, and that extended a streak of eight straight played appearances with the strikeout. Eight straight? Eight straight. Oh my gosh. Yeah, that's a lot. Yeah. He was one for three and he struck out twice. A.L. rookie of the year? No. No. I was trying to check. Okay, hey, that's not even nice. I was trying to check. Do not do that Dustin. You were a professional. You were a game in Japan. I'm the one that should be sitting here trying to protect myself. I was the one saying back up the brink truck last week to pay him. Yeah, to pay him. Just go ahead. That's going to be a tricky dynamic. It's going to be a very fascinating conversation because what is he? Is he the closer to the player that we saw before the injury in the first few months of the season? Or is he the guy that's hitting a buck 50 since he came back? Is that and it's not so much a batting average even? It's the slugging percentage, which isn't there.

23:45So is there, it's got to be something wrong? That hamstring, like it may be because I just know the hamstring is linger on, but you just never know and everybody's so different that something is messed with his approach. I don't know. Somebody tell the pirates they're out of it too. There are 500 teams. They used eight pitchers yesterday. These eight pitchers to win 42. Don't they know the socks are in the race? Eight pitchers. So the white socks, they are back at the rate today. The Cubs mercifully have the day off. Thank you. They haven't won since Saturday. It feels like it's been longer. They're back in action tomorrow at Rigglyfield, correct? The socks. It's correct. They are. Show to Imanaga Day game. Show to Imanaga. That's good. I get show to Imanaga and Kevin Gosman confused now. What you guys throwing three home, what's guys giving up three home runs in the first few winnings? How's the power of ranking? What is it? Not good. I can't wait. I literally, that can't be up last week. We may have to do the proff to power ratings.

24:47I thought we were solved. Didn't we agree after last bird series that Clay Holmes and Kevin Gosman? Yes. All right. We did. We need to get a break. We need to get to the pick six. We got a lot to talk about today. Bears. We got Cubs. We got socks. We got NFL. The pick six is next. Chicago Sports Radio 104 3 the score. It's pick six with Ha and Peyton where we debate the top six sports stories of the day and then open it up to you. The Chicago Sports Fan call us at 312 644 67 67 or you can tweet your thoughts at Ha Peyton. Pick six with Ha and Peyton starts now. What word best describes Kevin Gosman's outing for the Cubs in the series finale against the Brewers last night. And you really think that was the last time these two teams will meet this season? Well, what a humbling game baseball is. Just a week ago tonight.

25:48I was there and I remember Kevin Gosman was on the mound in a very efficient outing against the Brewers in a two to one cup victory that made you feel like these two teams were what maybe me to get. It was a playoff atmosphere. It was a postseason like performance and Gosman was a guy that you thought, all right, now I get it. That's why he's here. And then last night happened. And it was like, who's that imposter? Four innings, six earned runs, two walks, three homers. Boom, boom, boom. And it started early and continued often. The first inning did not have it clearly did not have it. So it gave way to the bullpen. So the best word for me is putrid. That was a putrid performance. And it was one of those things that you didn't expect. I did not expect that. I thought that Kevin Gosman was past these kind of outings. I thought the Cubs were going to salvage the final game of the series.

26:53I don't see them matching up in the postseason because right now, prisoner of the moment that we are as these bars are there, these figuratively. And we're trapped in the corner, feels like solitary confinement. The Cubs, it's hard to see them getting out of the first series. And they're going to be playing the Phillies likely on the road unless things change. But the thing of it is, you have always have a qualifier. Things could change with this Cubs team. They're so streaky. So streaky. So I don't think they will. Last night was disappointing. And Gos was going to be better. The hope, because we need to get back to worrying about the bullpen again. Not just starting pitching. I thought we agreed that starting pitching was going to be okay. It's not okay. Yeah, I can't throw like lazy, tamed up in his own. Lazy? Wow. Lazy, excuse me, lazy.

27:54And somebody might text in, like when I was scratching my head and trying to figure out what was wrong with Castillo for the white socks. And like, what did you expect? This is what he, so this is, this is the Blue J version of Gossman earlier in the year. That's what we got last night. How do you walk into that game and throw lazy pitches? Late, late, late. I think he was just me. It's the balls hanging. And I can't see that out of context. A little bit. And I'm taking that out of context. I think you're looking at lazy like lazy like. I don't want to. I don't want to hear a guy who gave up three home runs, try to explain it with the word lazy in a game where you're trying to not be swept by your quote unquote biggest rival. And I got to sit there and listen about the purple drink in the skipper's cup for the brewer. Do you know anything about this? This purple drink that the guy who actually stirs the drink in Milwaukee consumes during the games. I don't know if it's purple passion. Right. And on his tumbler, the words relentless are inscribed on the tumbler.

28:58The game was so out of hand last night. Again, I don't want to hear that the final score was eight to six because when it was sitting there seven and nothing and seven to one, they spent about five minutes telling you about two different jugs of liquid that were sitting next to Murth outside the stadium up in that park. Lazy. Thank God it's a day off. Thank God the NFL is back. Lazy. I need to know how many times Brandon, he said lazy just right there. If you could find that out for me, I see both sides before I give you my word. I see where you're coming from. Deha about, you know, it's just how he said it, but you also got to choose your words wisely. So I see where Dustin's coming from because this is trying to leave Milwaukee without getting swept. Nobody fans don't want to hear you talking about lazy pitches. They don't want to hear that. Who wants to hear that? Listen, I'm here for you. If you want to talk about what you need to get better at and all that stuff, but you've got to choose your words wisely.

29:59For me, the word that comes to mind disaster. Last night was a disaster. I was hoping for a better outing from Kevin Gawdsman and I did not get it last night. So the flip, you went through the numbers already. The three home runs just are, that right there is concerning. But in a night, the night before and what we've been talking about on this show has been the bull pin not doing what they need to do to be able to hold up, the bull pin did their job last night. And it was starting pitching last night that couldn't get it done. This game seemed to be out of hand early on and yes, they came back and I give them credit for fighting their way back to be in this game. But you got swept in Milwaukee. And now you got to figure it out. So you needed more from your starting pitcher. Kevin Gawdsman did not give you that last night. Last night was a disaster. By the way, he said it 11 times. 11 times.

30:5911 times. I love it, Dustin. You know who's not lazy? Brandon Fryer. At all. At all. At all. Let's quit dodging around and what do you want me to have? There you go, Bruce. Get on Bruce. Bruce Levine with you guys at nine o'clock this morning right here on 104 3 the score. How would you evaluate Davis Martin's start Wednesday night? Where's your confidence level in the socks this morning? I would say solid. And he did what you needed for him to do. I mean, you look at the you look at the numbers five innings, give a four hits. Everyone earned run to walks 1k. You wanted to keep building and I think that's the issue with starting pitching, especially with the South Sideers. Can you get more consistency to me? That was a good look confidence level though. I mean, a little not with Davis Martin just shaky with the white socks at the moment. I mean, he looked like himself.

32:00You hope you can get that Sean Newcombe though. That was that was the issue right last night. It wasn't it wasn't your starter. It came to the bullpen. So it was a flip flop there from both Northside and Southside when you talk about starting pitching and bullpen doing what they need to do. I just think you you have a lot of issues that you got to figure out and we talked about it yesterday. That Cleveland series coming up is you got to take care of business and it's getting closer and closer. He was solid last night. That's what you need him to be. Yeah, he was good. He was good enough. Five innings, four hits, one run. It was earned two walks, one k, the one home run. Last night the issue with the socks last night was kind of they took a page out of the cup. Nine left on base. Nine, one for eight with runners in scoring position. Had the bases loaded multiple times and got I think one's thinking run out of it because the other one came on the Murakami home run.

33:04So you got to do better in that and Jared just pointed it out very well. I mean, next Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 14, 15, 16th, they are at the guardians. So they got to get they got to they got to win another road series. They have to you got to not get swept tonight. Then you got to go to St. Louis and take two out of three. More busy. And then you got to win at least one. You got to win at least one against the guardians. And if you do that, you should make the postseason. You don't do that. Mr. Friars pockets going to get filled. But also too, you're you talked about it. It's the 500 team you're going up against and the guard and the guardians lost two. So was an opportunity. You did miss an opportunity last night. You could have increased your lead. Yes. And right now, you're clinging to a two game lead. You have lost three out of four. Your pitching is training in the wrong direction. If you want to look for a sliver of hope, a glimmer, Davis Martin now has had two good

34:07starts in a row. He has reasserted himself as the guy that maybe you trust the most as Sean Burke starts to maybe look a little bit more vulnerable. I think Sean Burke has had some ups and downs lately that reflect the number of innings that he's thrown this year. And that's going to be something that socks cannot ignore. Last night was disappointing because the pirates should be a team that doesn't isn't able to use eight pitchers to shut you down offensively. Not this team. Now Murkami Homer, that was nice. Colesal Montgomery struck out three times. He now has 200 strikeouts. The third player in franchise history to strike out 200 times. He named the other two Dustin. Adam Dunn and Yoan Makata. I did it for you. But Colesal Montgomery now is in that company. Thirty home runs, but 200 strikeouts. They'll take that trade off, especially if he can play defense as he has.

35:08But the socks, my confidence is damaged slightly this week. This has been a difficult week in Chicago baseball. This has maybe been the most stressful week in Chicago baseball because the Cubs are where they are and the corner they back themselves into. And the socks look shaker than you would want them to look at the top of the division on September 10th. So the only good thing last night on the south side was that Davis Martin looked like a guy is beginning to regain some of that trust. Well, I'll get next question. I can't wait to hear from Ozzy. I can't wait. He was brilliant in his post game. And I want to know if he would pitch to Jackson Churio if he's willing to go down that road with you guys. After looking at the Bears' first official injury report, filed Wednesday as per league rules. As short as it likely will be all season is Rome, a Dune Zay's presence on it enough to affect some days game who benefits if Rome is limited.

36:10I was really surprised that the injury report was as short as it was. I thought that maybe Tyrick Stevenson would pop up on there. I thought that maybe one of the safeties that battling for a spot opposite the enemy would pop up on there, but they had full participation except for Roma Dune Zay and Ozzy Chupillo. Now Tyson Bage and back up quarterback has a back situation would not have participated to had they practiced. I don't get too caught up on that. I think that Case Keenum is somebody that you trust in a backup role. Plus Caleb Williams is as durable as they come. I guess we can't assume anything after we watch last night with St. Donald. Thank you. But how many general managers are calling Seattle this morning wondering what they what quarterback they would like maybe is it. Chai Jay McCarthy's next stop. You wonder you wonder we'll get back to that moment. But Roma Dune Zay the fact that it isn't the same foot as supposed to make his feel better,

37:12but the fact that he's on an injury report at all doesn't make you feel great. I still believe he's your third option in the passing game. Healthy or injured. You've got coast and lovelin, you've got reducers burdened the third and then I think it's Roma Dune Zay. So if he is limited, typically I think it would be Cleef Raymond would be a guy that you see gets a little bit more action maybe Xavier Thomas your cousin, but I believe that Roma Dune Zay doesn't look like it's something that's going to impair him. He's going to be part of the mix. It would really help if he could get off to a fast start. Well, I think it's Xavier Thomas by a mile if Rome's not there on Sunday. But I think it's really today's practice is going to give us a lot better idea about what he's up to. Name I was surprised, happily surprised, but like a little more clarification. Because again, this was because it was a weird day off for the Bears because of the holiday on Monday, I guess, how are they decided to do it? That's their business.

38:12But this was a, if they had practiced on Wednesday, they didn't practice on Wednesday, but they had to put the report on on Wednesday, perly rule. So if they had practiced on Wednesday, this is what they expected. Austin Booker no longer week to week, no longer day to day. Austin Booker's ready to go. That's a good point. That's a good. I thought Austin Booker, he's important. I feel like he's important. Yeah. Based on this injury report, Austin Booker's taken 25 to 30 snaps on Sunday. Should. But I guess we'll find out more on that later today. I'm going to say it's probably not going to have a huge impact on the game. Just, I mean, offensively, they got enough weapons to be able to make it happen. I think we're coming into the season looking at what Rome could be because how he can fit into this offense because we know of the young guys that are on it. I see that, Khalif Raymond probably kind of benefits from this. If there's anyone, just because he's a veteran. And when it comes to this Ben Johnson offense, a lot of that action is coming from inside.

39:17And that's where Khalif will kind of where he makes his money is inside in the slot and being able to be there going up against either linebacker, safety's coming down, whatever it is to be able to get those matchups sitting space and then get yards after the catch. I think Xavier on Thomas has an opportunity to if this is extended for Rome, a Dune Zay that, yes, it will give him more opportunities. But if we're looking at this, it's a little scary though because for Rome, this is a big year for him bounce back from last season to kind of put the naysayers to bed a little bit that I can play starting off with an injury, a nagging injury. Glad it's not the foot that was bothering him, but still that hamper is that to be able to get back on the football field and to produce. And so I think Khalif Raymond gets a little bit more plus he's been with Ben Johnson, knows this system. A guy like Xavier on Thomas is still trying to figure it out.

40:17He started off the season with an injury. So I mean, if it can't with injury. So you have to give him a little bit of time being a rookie with a guy that's a veteran that knows this offense, knows the cause. I think Raymond gets a little bit in benefits from this. But here's a question I want to ask you. That is the voice of Clay Harbor sitting in between you two guys at about 8.25 this morning. What about the Carolina Panthers matchup? Concerns you the most from a bear's perspective and where might the bears have the biggest edge? Well, David and I had this conversation. It's really with the up front. The battle in the trenches for the bears offensive line going up against that Carolina front seven and can they find ways to kind of secure those edges, keep Caleb Williams upright and kind of mass that pressure just a little bit. I think I guys get after the quarterback. So that's going to be an issue on both sides of the ball where they have the edge is what

41:19I was talking about before where I see Cleef Raymond and these guys haven't success. It's inside. It's short passes. It's checked down. It's all those things in space to be able to get your playmakers the opportunity to be able to get something small, but turn it into something bigger. So I think that's where they have the edge. Their run game. If they can get it going, that sets up their play action. And with that, now it keeps defenses guessing just a little bit here. So the edge to me is their run game getting after those guys that are trying to get after the quarterback, slow them down a little bit, run at them outside zone. Let them not feel comfortable about putting their hand in the ground or standing up, trying to get out the quarterback, make them have to defend the run. And that right there gives them the edge. This could be huge for the bears to get off on a good start and to show that they are ready to kind of make sure that they can hold on to that NFC nor crown.

42:20Lot of 13 personnel run the ball, protect the ball, protect your quarterback, protect your defense. It's no question that the head coach likes to run the ball. So I think that's all those things add up to it's going to be a lower scoring game. I guess we'll predict it tomorrow potentially. The final score of this game, but I think if the bears can win the time of possession by about eight or more minutes, I think they'll be in the driver's seat for this game. If they have to play from behind, then you could have a disadvantage with the panthers pass rush because then you're going to have to get out of 13, move the ball around, especially if Rome's not available. Are you saying 13 intentionally? Are you saying 13 because you want to be the lingo guy? I just because I find it hilarious when we're in 13 personal 12. One back, we like to try to find out. Three tight ends. Okay. So you said it three times.

43:20You said lazy 11 times. You were going on, you're nearing 11 when you said 13 personnel just for the record. What is it said that over under how many snaps in the first half will the bears be in 13 first half? Oh, I'd say five. Five. You set that line. Can I make a bet at your book? I'll take the over over over five times. 13 in the first half. Yeah, I'll take the over. So I think that when you talk about the matchup that concerns me the most or should concern the bears the most, maybe Ben Johnson, if he has any sleepless nights, he's a very confident coach. But my sense is that Derek Brown lined up across from Garrett Bradbury. If the panthers can make that happen more times and not, that would make me the most anxious about the bears offense. Because as we know, it have said time and again, whether it's 13 personnel or two tight ends or one tight end, whatever it is, the bears want to run the football and are going

44:21to use that running game to set up everything else. The running game only will function well if your center can create, can move the pile. It starts. When we talk about the left tackle a lot, we talk about a lot of other things that Darno Wright and the money he's earned and the right side, yes. But the center is as important as any member of that offensive line. And certainly this year because he's replacing a guy in Drew Domen that went to the pro bowl. And his retirement set the stage for an off season that you didn't expect in Chicago. So Derek Brown, game record, is a guy that at 6'5 and 3'20 can be impactful in Sunday and Ways you don't want him to be. So I think that may be the biggest concern I have going into this game. What effect will that have that only on stopping the run, even though they were not really good at that necessarily statistically last year? 18th I think the Panthers were. But also creating internal pressure on Caleb Williams if he has to flush the pocket and

45:22move on passing downs. So that would be my number one concern. As far as the biggest edge the bears might have, I look at, you know, we talk about, you talk about statistics and metrics and you look at all kinds of things because we have time before the opener. Defense adjusted value over average, DVOA. Last year the DVOA, the Panthers against Tide ends 30th. So the bears with their strength of their offense is in the Tide end room because they do have three guys they really trust. But especially, Loveland and especially, commit. So I think that when you look at the intermediate routes, you look at the Tide end passing game, that is where the bears have a decided advantage statistically and otherwise. And that is where I think they'll end up going to when they need key completions on like third down situations. So that would be the two answers there, whether it's 13, 12 or whatever the person now is

46:22in the grouping that Ben Johnson chooses. All right. That is the beginning of the pick six. When we come back, what did you think when you were watching the Seahawks and Patriots, especially after Sam Donald left the game, walked into the locker room and was getting an X-ray and an MRI after four snaps? Any bears connections to the opening night of the NFL season? We'll talk about it next. The pick six continues. It's Hawn Peyton Chicago Sports Radio, 1043 this score. Welcome back to pick six with Hawn Peyton on 1043 this score. I'm not talking necessarily about a pick six or something like that. So if you did wait all day for Wednesday night and all off season, what was your biggest takeaway from the first NFL game of the season? Do you see anything bears connections throughout the game between the Seahawks and the Patriots? Wait no day for Wednesday night. Yes, I love it. It was fun. It was the return of football. It was the first night of the season, the last night, not until Valentine's Day.

47:25And it delivered. It did. The game was a little bit sloppier than you would want. And it wasn't the offensive explosion that gets big ratings and it wasn't. There were, it was a season opener, but it was football. And if you love the sport and you understand what you're watching, yeah, there were times where maybe it dragged offensively. But a couple of things that were takeaways. Number one, defense is still in vogue. If you play it as well as the Seahawks do and you execute it like they do and you anticipate it like they do, my McDonald is in Chicago. We'll say Mike McDonald is the defensive version of Ben Johnson. You know what really is the fair thing to say? Ben Johnson is the offensive version of Mike McDonald because he's got a super bowl ring. That's what Ben Johnson wants. So defense travels well. Even defense travels well from season to season.

48:25But the other takeaway is one season of success last year doesn't necessarily carry over. And not the same things are true. Drake May was bad in the fourth quarter. He was great last year. Good enough to be the runner up to the MVP. But no two seasons are alike so you can't assume those things. It's a good takeaway for the Bears. It played right into what Ben Johnson has been preaching since the first day of the off season, the day after they lost to the Rams. What happened in 2025 means nothing. You got to do it again. Prove it all over again. And the other thing besides protecting the football is that Drake May is overrated. Okay. He's overrated. I give him credit for finishing second in the runner up or runner up to the MVP to the Matthew Stafford. But there's no way anybody can tell me now. This is just one game. Quick overreaction and overreaction Thursday. Drake May is not better than Caleb Williams.

49:28Not last night. Not this season. Not ever. Did I see Vailess Jones downing punts last night, right? Vailess Jones, the super bowl champion Vailess Jones. Super bowl. I'm not spec on his name now. Ring wearing Vailess Jones. Jared and I spoke about this before the show started. They need to put some more stock in preseason. They have an offense. And I don't know if that means even in a preseason game. How would you feel in a preseason game if you put the red or the orange or bright pink, sweater, jersey, cover all, whatever on the quarterback? Can't touch them. Can't touch them in preseason. Would that ease it? Would we get more snaps? You don't like that idea if you're watching Jared and Shaken and said, it's too hard. You're asking guys to slow down. Yeah, you're asking guys to slow down. They could get themselves hurt by slowing down.

50:29I'm just saying it looked like both offenses. And I know Sam Darnold only took five or four snaps, but it doesn't matter. He played a series, but it didn't look good. It looked like guys were not in sync. Now to be fair, about Drake May, and I don't know why I'm trying to defend Drake May here, but AJ Brown was gone for a lot of that game too. And I'm sure that was, you know, they want to use AJ Brown with Drake May. They wanted to give him a big time wide receiver. If you stayed, if you were able to stay up, it offered drama. The fourth quarter was great, but the first half was a, I was talking with a guy. It was a taffy pole. It was an absolute, that first half was a taffy pole. Just didn't matter to me because football was back. Right. I'm more curious about tonight's game because of this travel. Yeah. Right? I mean, it's, I believe 1034 in the morning. It's either 1034, 1134 in the morning in Melbourne right now.

51:31And I just wonder how that's going to play. Well, a couple things. I'm going to try to get through this. Dustin and I did have the conversation today this morning before the show, just about how, yes, we need these guys need more preseason snaps and when it comes to starters, because that's why we saw a lot of sloppy football last night. Over under 44 and a half, if I wasn't total score, if I'm not mistaken, Dustin last night. So someone knew something was going on that this was going to be a low scoring game. I think part of that too is just because of, if you got the Patriots plus three and a half, you were really happy. Yeah. But the same Donald thing threw me for a loop because we sat here yesterday and we talked about giving our, our predictions of what teams were going to do. And it just goes to show you that you just, you never know what's going to happen. Game to game. First game, I don't think Seahawks fans thought that Sam Donnell would have a hip injury and

52:33would be out for the rest of the game and now have question marks about what his future looks like as you go into a week too. But listen, shots out to having a guy like Drew Locke who settled in and when you got a guy like Jackson Smith and Jigba, he's a game changer, game changer. But David is right. The game of football is very, very simple and let's not get away from it. I know it's all about offense. We want to see high scores and all this stuff, but really good defenses, elite defenses, that right there and playing complimentary football can win you games. Thank you. It can win you games. Absolutely. It is very, very simple. And so the connection between the Bears and last night for me was Kevin Byard. I can't just start with the bats. He had five tackles last night. He was the lead and he had let the team and interceptions last year here in Chicago. And now the Bears don't have that and flip on the other side.

53:36Kobe Bryant who was a Super Bowl champ with the Seahawks, he's on the Bears roster now. And now have to wait and see what that looks like in the future for him. So sloppy football, both offenses look bad, but when it comes down to it, take care of the football and you can win games. This will be a pick six. There's your ball game. All right, here we go. What is the one thing about the bear season that starts on Sunday that you think hasn't been given enough attention? One thing that hasn't enough attention. I feel like we have. We've been focused on everything. I feel like exhausted every topic. We literally have. It's time to kick off. Every day I'm trying to figure out new questions to ask pigs and I'm just like, I asked them that already. I asked them that already. I was sitting around talking to my wife and my mom last night. Like, what else can we ask? There's one thing that has been, David, I can't think of something that we haven't,

54:44we haven't touched on. I really can't. Maybe it's the, now it's not the importance of the run game. We talk about that every single day. Defense has their question marks. Maybe it's, can this defense hold up for the entire season? And I don't know. And I feel like we've talked about that, but I think it's going to be a big thing because we're expecting this bear's offense to take a huge step and Caleb Williams will take a huge step. At some point from what I saw last night, your defense is going to have to find ways to win you games when your offense is sloppy. And I don't think we talk enough about, I don't think we talk probably enough about that the offense was kind of non-existent for three quarters early on. They were still trying to find the running game early in the season that that could be what we saw last night. Sloppiness in an offense could happen to this bear's team early on in the season. See, got your answer?

55:45You talked it out. I talked it out. You know what? It's therapy here on Hall and Peyton, man. That is it. Cairo Santos, five of seven on the field goals, missed a couple of field goals that I thought he should have made. And I wonder if that could be something we haven't talked quite enough about. Isn't there also a new snapper? Thank you. Right? His name is Bo Gardner. Right. And you haven't heard it often. Who? Bo Gardner. And it's a good thing. Usually, don't want to know the name of the snapper because if you know the name of the long snapper, that means there's a problem. You know why? His next professional snapper will be his first one. First real snapper. Yes. So, see? I think it seems probably hasn't found discussed enough because it's special. See? He gave me something to ask Biggs. Welcome. Mine is surprised me. I think it was a root of this question. All day, all week, where everyone's making predictions.

56:47And you see the Buffalo Bills being favorites in the AFC. Maybe not favorites, but certainly a trendy pick. And one of the big reasons why you keep reading, well, geez, you know, DJ Moore is going to have a huge season. DJ Moore is a difference in Buffalo's passing game. DJ Moore and Josh Allen, oh my gosh, they have a great chemistry. The Bears are going to miss DJ Moore. The Bears are going to miss that presence in the wide receiver room. But more importantly, that presence, when they're down three in the fourth quarter with six minutes to go or three minutes to go, or when they need a clutch catch, or when they need a big play. DJ Moore to me became a guy that was an easy target because, you know, they're just chemistry with Caleb Williams. This isn't quite what it needs to be. Now, did they see him run off the field? That's awful. There are a lot of things about DJ Moore that you might have been able to nitpick, but you're going to miss his production in the clutch.

57:49And that's one thing that I think has been easy to gloss over as we get excited about the wide receiver room, which is young, deep, and talented. But it's also largely unproven. So that's one thing. Bo Gardner and DJ Moore. And of course, I'm glad you talked that out, Jared. That was a very public therapy session. I can breathe now. You can breathe now. Yeah. All right. Next, when we come back, we'll be breathing, I think, relaxing breaths about Caleb Williams in his future and the season and what to expect. What are realistic numbers for Caleb Williams this year beginning Sunday in Carolina? We'll talk about it next on the extra point. It's on page. Cogsport radio 1043. The score in with the extra point painting. It's time for the extra point with Ha and Peyton. Come out for the extra point on 1043. The score set at this extra point. What are reasonable statistical goals for Caleb Williams in 2026, completion percentage yards, TDs and I and T's?

58:51Well, I think that this is a step forward for Caleb Williams. And I think if you want to continue to progress, you're going to see that reflected in the numbers. I don't get too caught up on completion percentage. Like a lot of people want to see him hit 70, which is unrealistic. And I think Ben Johnson put it there. And I'm not sure why. But I think 62 to 63 is reasonable. What are you laughing? Just keep going. 62 to 63 is reasonable. Yards, he's going to average 235 yards a game. So I think that that's the average. I think you want to obtain. So right around 4200 yards is realistic. I think a lot of these projections of, he's got to surpass 4,000. I think that is a safe bet. I think he's going to play in 17 games. So probably 240 per game. And if you go 240 per game, you can do the math. So let's say 242 times 17.

59:51And that is 4,114. I'll go there. Then touchdowns, 29 interceptions, 12. It's going to be a very good season for Caleb Williams. Wow. Dustin, what you got? So I'm a little confused. So like, what do I think he's going to do? What are reasonable? What are exped- it's a little bit confusing. No, it's not. No, it's not. No, it's not. We made our predictions yesterday. Reasonable statistical goals for Caleb Williams is not that it's complicated. So 3,800 yards passing. 3,800. 25 TDs. 10 picks. 67 completion percentage. Again, I think they're going to run the ball. How many yards rushing do you think Caleb Williams has this year? That's a good one. That is actually a really good question. That's a good thing to continue. You're like 25 to 30 a game or more. I think you need him for at least 30 to 35 a game probably.

1:00:54If you want him to, if you think realistically he's going to surpass 4,000 yards, I don't want to run in too much. Then you have the issue of injury there. So I'm going to throw back. The reason why I was laughing, D-H, is because I think that is perfect when it comes to completion percentage. I know that that's the number that Ben Johnson set was 70. That would be amazing. I'm thinking it's going to be more around 63. That's why I was laughing. I said 62 between 63. That's not bad. Not bad at all. And it's about really just, I'm going to say this over and over again. Check downs. Read a man in zone where there's opportunity for guys to sit in zone, coverage and get to thumb the ball real quick, let them get yards after catch. I think that's where we're going to see him excel even more, which is more exciting than the Superman plays that we always see.

1:01:54I'm thinking right over 4,000 yards, 4,050. So that's where I think he's going to be 29 touchdowns, same as David. Only eight picks. I think he's going to keep it under. I think he's going to keep it under. Point of digits. Keep single digit interceptions. That's protected in the football. I get another season. I think that's where we're at. So I'd between that eight and nine, but I'm going to go with eight. Drake May had three last night in the fourth quarter. I know. I know. Multiply that by 17. But you know how you know how we both feel about Drake. I know. I know. He takes a back seat. K. The Williams man. Drake May is on pace to throw 51 interception. No, yeah, 50 white interceptions. He's not going to throw three every game though. 51. Drake May 51 interceptions 27 touchdowns. I should have taken that bet that last night. I think it's an interesting statistical exercise because last year coming in, the obsession

1:02:54was on 4,000 yards and Caleb Williams gave voice to it. Then there was about 70% completion percentage because Ben Johnson gave voice to it. This year there's been maybe less talking about those kind of thresholds and more overall about the offense collectively, which I think is a good sign. But the wrinkle of adding in the expectations for Caleb Williams to use his feet. Jared, I am not comfortable at all, but with any kind of designed runs for Caleb Williams. I don't like the idea of him using his legs unless he has to. There's, I don't see design runs for him. That's not in Ben's plan. But when things break down, that's where we know he can take advantage of getting yards up field. And he is, he is one, he's fast around that edge, man. Things break down. I want him to do that. Just be smart.

1:03:55That's all I need you to do is be smart. You don't, he's not one of those guys that's looking for contact. He's going to get out of bounds. There are two things I wanted to talk to you about and we come back full address. Number that's read yesterday was interesting as it pertains to Caleb Williams. Dan Weeter included a passage in that story we talked about with him in the athletic, about the way the bears practice scrambled drills and how that may help this improvisation seem a little bit more scripted or natural or even like just learn to behavior. And then the other one was what he had to say about his favorite target and developing chemistry with specific receivers. His answer during the end of his media session the other day, we did not get to it. Yesterday, I want to address it next because it speaks to just how much he is growing as a quarterback. And maybe you have out there some ideas about Caleb Williams statistical goals and what is realistic to reach. 4,000 yards, 30 touchdowns, how many interceptions?

1:04:58Let us know. 312, 644, 67, 67. We're talking bears. We're talking Caleb. We'll get to the Cubs and White Socks. We've got Ozzie at eight. We've got Bruce at nine. But Biggs time is at 725 and building a bridge to Biggs time or talking bears and Caleb Williams. Let us know what you think here on Hawn, Peyton, Chicago, Sports Radio, 104, 3, the school.