Cubs’ Craig Counsell says quiet part out loud about loss to Brewers

There are certain players or position groups who perform so badly that expectations cease to exist. Eventually, the words “they have to be better” are no longer stated during the postgame press conferences, as the focus shifts to navigating these seemingly unavoidable roadblocks. The Chicago Cubs’ bullpen has reached the point where fans must brace themselves for a setback every time the manager makes a pitching change.

Craig Counsell could have easily highlighted his relievers’ latest implosion after Tuesday’s 9-4 loss versus the Milwaukee Brewers, but he chose to touch on another aspect of the game instead.

“These were very difficult plays, but we have to play great defense,” Counsell told the media, per the Marquee Sports Network. “We played good defense tonight, but against the best team in baseball, you gotta play great defense. We got our glove on a bunch of balls, didn’t make plays, and that’s the difference in innings when you let a good offense just have more chances.”

"These were very difficult plays, but we have to play great defense. And we played good defense tonight, but against the best team in baseball, you gotta play great defense. We got our glove on a bunch of balls, didn't make plays, and that's the difference."

Craig Counsell on… pic.twitter.com/DO2otQdurf

— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) September 2, 2026

The Cubs held a 3-1 lead before losing control in the sixth. Starter Matthew Boyd quickly dug himself into a hole, and then Daniel Palencia finished the job. The Venezuelan right-hander got called for a balk, surrendered a double to Andrew Vaughn and allowed a two-run homer to Christian Yelich. Once the frame finally ended, Milwaukee was up 5-3. Trade deadline acquisition Ryan Zeferjahn matched Palencia’s two earned runs when he came out for the seventh, and Caleb Thielbar and Tyler Ferguson were each charged with a run in the eighth.

When reviewing all the evidence, it is odd to expect more from the Cubs’ first-class defense, especially on a night when the Brewers committed two errors. And yet, Craig Counsell actually made a valid point.

Chicago must consistently be incredible in and around the diamond because the bullpen has become so reliably unreliable. It is unfair to place a bigger burden on the defense’s shoulders, but it is downright unreasonable to ask more of the relief unit. One has to wonder why Cubs brass decided to place Hoby Milner on waivers and option Javier Assad to Triple-A Iowa.

Besting Milwaukee and the other National League contenders is hard enough on a level playing field, but it is near-impossible when a team is self-destructing. The Chicago Cubs (78-61) will trust their elite offense and Gold Glove-laden defense to build an insurmountable advantage against the Brewers (86-53) on Wednesday night. Otherwise, Wrigley Field could be in for another nauseating ride in the final innings.

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