Score Evenings

In the third hour, Mark Grote heard sound from Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo discussing his nagging back spasms and whether he feels he'll need a stint on the injured list to open the season. Rizzo also shared his belief that more MLB players will opt out of playing in 2020 due to safety concerns about the coronavirus pandemic. Later, Grote discussed an interesting article regarding the NBA bubble's logistical "green" problem for players.

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In the second hour, Mark Grote shared the key players whom he believes the Cubs really need to keep in the long term and why. And if the Cubs can't re-sign all their core players, who's the most critical to maintaining success in the future? Later, Rylan Stiles of the Locked On Royals podcast joined the show to discuss the AL Central race, if the Royals will be bottom feeders again and how former Cubs outfielder Jorge Soler is faring in Kansas City.

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Sitting in for Joe Ostrowski, Mark Grote opened his show by discussing how good White Sox rookie outfielder Luis Robert could be. As part of the discussion, he replayed a comment from former Score and current St. Louis radio host Chris Rongey about how Robert had no-doubt star potential early on when teams scouted him. Later, Bill Shea of the Athletic Sports Business joined the show to discuss his article about the logistical and financial hurdles that come with a professional team rebranding.

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In the final hour, Mark Grote held a modified Early Odds segment as he and producer Adam Studzinski shared which MLB teams they believe will win each division this season. Later, Grote addressed how there isn't really a set plan for how NFL training camps will operate amid the coronavirus pandemic.

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In the third hour, Mark Grote was joined by Chris Rongey of 101 ESPN in St. Louis to preview the NL Central race and to discuss the Cardinals' outlook for the 60-game season. Later, Grote went back to Cubs Radio analyst Ron Coomer live from Wrigley Field, as he provided a third and final update on the team's intrasquad game.

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In the second hour, Mark Grote was joined by Mandy Bell of MLB.com to preview the AL Central race and to discuss the Indians' outlook. Will Cleveland still have a great pitching rotation this season? Later, Grote went back to Cubs Radio analyst Ron Coomer live from Wrigley Field, as he provided a second update on the team's intrasquad game.

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Sitting in for Joe Ostrowski, Mark Grote opened his show by discussing why Bears top receiver Allen Robinson hasn't received respect from some in the national media. Grote believes Robinson deserves to be considered a top talent at the position. Later, Cubs Radio analyst Ron Coomer checked in from Wrigley Field, giving an update on the action as the team held an intrasquad game.

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In the final hour, Mark Grote was joined by Dan Hayes of the Athletic to discuss the AL Central outlook and how the Twins will follow up their division-winning 2019 season in which they set an MLB record for home runs. He also shared the latest on outfielder Byron Buxton suffering an injury Monday. Later, Grote broke down the Bears' schedule and why they're most definitely going 16-0 this season.

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In the third hour, Mark Grote asked listeners which player in the Cubs' core they would most like to keep for the long term. As part of that discussion, he took a close look at what star third baseman Kris Bryant has said about wanting to play in Chicago for his whole career and wondered whether that will actually happen. In the Early Odds segment later, Grote and the crew played back local bettor Justin Gitelis' interview on the McNeil & Parkins Show earlier in the day in which he discussed his $1.1-million win at BetRivers Sportsbook on Sunday when PGA Tour rising star Collin Morikawa rallied to beat Justin Thomas in a playoff at the Workday Charity Open.

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In the second hour, Mark Grote was joined by Mark Sheldon of MLB.com to discuss the NL Central and AL Central outlooks heading into the 60-game season. Later, Grote shared some insights on the Cubs and what type of player he believes outfielder Kyle Schwarber can still be for the team.

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