9/30 9AM: Sox Win, Cubs Crushed & Grant Taylor

Carmen and Jurko close the show with more reaction to the White Sox sweeping the Astros and moving on to face Cleveland in the ALDS. The guys discuss the Sox bullpen, Jordan Hicks, Chase Meidroth’s huge home run, the double steal that set it up and why Will Venable pushed the right buttons. They also take calls from Cubs fans after a frustrating two-game exit against the Padres, with plenty of focus on the offense, Jed Hoyer and the pitching staff. The hour also includes Kyle Schwarber’s postseason home-run history, Yankees talk and a little Aurelio’s Popperoni celebration in studio. The show wraps with Kyler Gordon’s practice window & Bears-Jets injury notes.

Carmen and Jurko talk Bears-Jets with Jeff Joniak as Chicago tries to finish its homestand with another win. Joniak discusses the quarterback situation with Tyson Bagent and Case Keenum, the physicality of Aaron Glenn’s Jets, Ben Johnson’s standards and the Bears defense improving under Dennis Allen. The guys also continue reacting to the White Sox advancing to face Cleveland, with Chase Meidroth already becoming a South Side postseason name to remember. On the Cubs side, they dig into the offense scoring just one run in two games, PCA’s challenge decision and the front office questions after another disappointing finish. The Brunch Rush brings more Sox-Cubs fan reaction, Eric Fedde’s big moment, Tommy Pham, Colson Montgomery, Miguel Vargas and Mike Tomlin’s surprising Minecraft hobby.

Carmen and Jurko open the show with two very different baseball emotions after the White Sox sweep the Astros and the Cubs get eliminated by the Padres. Carmen celebrates one of the most likable White Sox teams he can remember, while the guys discuss the Sox’s bullpen management, Chase Meidroth’s huge moment, Anthony Kay’s key outs and the team’s smart organizational approach. On the Cubs side, Jurko lays out the disappointment of scoring just one run in two games and the bigger questions facing the front office after another season behind the Brewers. The guys also revisit the Garrett Crochet trade and whether Carmen has to take the L now that Meidroth, Kyle Teel and Braden Montgomery have become major pieces for the Sox. Connor McKnight joins from Houston to describe the clubhouse celebration, the team’s chemistry and how the Sox may try to handle Cleveland in the ALDS.

Carmen and Jurko talk playoff baseball with Jesse Rogers as the White Sox try to close out the Astros and the Cubs try to stay alive against the Padres. Jesse breaks down Grant Taylor’s huge Game 1 workload, Sean Burke starting Game 2, the Sox’s strong approach at the plate and the Cubs’ pitching concerns after falling behind in San Diego. The guys also get into Bears-Jets with Courtney Cronin, including the likelihood of Tyson Bagent starting if Caleb Williams cannot play, what Case Keenum showed Monday night and how the Bears defense is developing under Dennis Allen. Courtney also discusses Ozzy Trapilo, Tyrique Stevenson, Cam Lewis and the defensive backfield questions heading into Sunday. The hour wraps with Blackhawks talk, Patrick Kane scoring in his return, Aaron Glenn’s Jets interception drought and a full day of White Sox, Cubs and Bears coverage on ESPN Chicago.

Carmen and Jurko continue a loaded Chicago sports Wednesday with the White Sox trying to advance in Houston and the Cubs trying to stay alive in San Diego. The guys reset the day’s ESPN Chicago schedule, preview Jesse Rogers and Courtney Cronin, and discuss whether the Bears are likely to go back to Tyson Bagent if Caleb Williams cannot play against the Jets. Carmen also explains why he moved back to YouTube TV, leading to a full streaming and multi-view debate during a huge time of year for baseball, football and hockey. The hour includes Cubs-Padres star power, White Sox-Astros calls, Paul Konerko’s World Series grand slam and memories of great live sporting events. The Brunch Rush hits the NHL hype video, Bagent’s value to the Bears, and an interesting offensive-line look from Monday night.

Carmen and Jurko open a loaded Wednesday by leading with playoff baseball after the White Sox beat the Astros in Game 1 and the Cubs were shut out by the Padres. The guys rave about Grant Taylor emptying the tank for the final seven outs, Hagan Smith delivering as the opener and Sean Burke getting the ball with a chance to send the Sox to Cleveland. They also discuss the Cubs running into a buzzsaw in San Diego, Michael King shutting them down, the Padres’ electric crowd and whether Craig Counsell stuck with Matthew Boyd too long. The hour includes bigger-picture Cubs frustration, questions for Jed Hoyer and Carter Hawkins, and why the Brewers continue to lap the Cubs in the NL Central. Carmen and Jurko also get into Houston’s dead playoff atmosphere, the Pope’s White Sox letter, the Yankees looking dangerous and whether Carmen’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” moment was fate or an algorithm.

Carmen and Jurko talk with Tom Thayer after the Bears’ 27-7 win over the Eagles on Monday Night Football. Thayer breaks down Case Keenum’s command of the offense, Ben Johnson’s use of two-tight-end looks, Garrett Bradbury’s response after a rough week and Dennis Allen’s defensive plan against Jalen Hurts. The guys also debate whether the Bears should start Keenum again if Caleb Williams cannot play Sunday, while callers weigh in on Colston Loveland, Ben Johnson’s fourth-down decisions and the offense finally looking smooth. The hour shifts to playoff baseball as the White Sox open in Houston with Hagan Smith and Ed Fedde, the Cubs get Matthew Boyd in San Diego and Tony Kornheiser gives the Sox no respect. The show closes with Waddle and Silvy live from Cork and Kerry at the Park, a little Blackhawks talk and a full Chicago sports day on ESPN Chicago.

Carmen and Jurko continue Bears Victory Tuesday by breaking down why Case Keenum was so prepared in the Bears’ 27-7 win over the Eagles. The guys discuss Ben Johnson’s opening script, Keenum’s play-action success, the importance of down and distance, and whether the Bears should go right back to Case if Caleb Williams cannot play against the Jets. They also preview a full day of playoff baseball, with the White Sox opening in Houston behind Hagan Smith and Ed Fedde while the Cubs get Matthew Boyd against Michael King in San Diego. The hour includes reaction to Peggy and Jurko’s postgame chemistry, Khalif Raymond’s touchdown, Ben Johnson’s fourth-down aggressiveness and Rome Odunze’s drops. The Brunch Rush hits the White Sox wild-card roster, the “Case Keenum game,” NFL coaching rankings, quarterback development concerns, Emanuel Acho’s deleted Jalen Hurts tweet and Al Harris’ work with the Bears secondary.

Carmen and Jurko celebrate Bears Victory Tuesday after Chicago beat the Eagles 27-7 on Monday Night Football. The guys praise Ben Johnson’s game plan, Dennis Allen’s defense, Case Keenum’s performance and the way the Bears grew into the run game before putting Philadelphia away. They also debate whether Keenum should start again if Caleb Williams misses more time, with Tyson Bagent back healthy enough to be part of the conversation. The hour shifts into a massive day for Chicago baseball as the White Sox open in Houston and the Cubs start late in San Diego, with Carmen riding a “Don’t Stop Believin’” omen into playoff day. The guys also take calls on the Bears’ defense, Kalif Raymond, Case Keenum’s story and whether this could become one of the best Chicago sports days in recent memory.

Carmen and Jurko close Bears Bonanza with Yurko’s Keys for Bears-Eagles on Monday Night Football. The good kid says the Bears need smart football, no penalties, more involvement from the receivers and tight ends, defensive-line movement and a cleaner kicking operation from Cairo Santos. The hour also features an all-time moment when Yurko forgets his own acronym, plus reaction to Caleb Williams’ grade two hamstring strain and how long the Bears may be without their starting quarterback. The guys also discuss the Vikings trading J.J. McCarthy to the Giants, the challenges of winning with Case Keenum and whether the Bears can steal a close one at Soldier Field. The show wraps with Cubs and White Sox playoff excitement, late-night postseason baseball, President’s Cup reaction and Bears-Eagles predictions.