What Cubs’ Craig Counsell said about latest blown game by garbage bullpen

The Chicago Cubs watched another late lead disappear against the Milwaukee Brewers, and Craig Counsell had little reason to hide his frustration. Reliever Jacob Webb surrendered a two-out, game-tying home run to Jackson Chourio in the ninth before the Brewers won 4-3 in 10 innings. The Cubs bullpen has now failed in back-to-back games against its NL Central rival, raising concern as Chicago pushes toward October.

According to ESPN’s Jesse Rogers, Counsell pointed directly at the mistake that changed the game. “We made a bad pitch with a man on base,” Counsell said of Chourio’s home run. “It’s the one thing that can’t happen there. Unfortunately, it happened.”

Chicago’s relief corps has struggled for weeks. The bullpen ranks 23rd in ERA since mid-August and has allowed 16 home runs in that span. Webb has surrendered three late-inning homers over his past six appearances, with the Cubs losing all three games.

Webb called his performance “piss-poor” and admitted he was tired of letting the team down. Counsell, however, knows there is no easy fix waiting.

Cubs need bullpen answers before October

“We have eight guys down there. Those are the guys we’re going to rely on. We have to figure it out,” Counsell said.

Chicago sits second in the NL Central at 81-65, while Milwaukee owns a league-best 90-56 record. The Cubs remain positioned to clinch a Wild Card berth, but every blown lead keeps the race uncomfortable.

Craig Counsell also acknowledged how much the consecutive collapses sting. “It hurts when it happens,” he said. “It hurts when it happens consecutively.”

Still, his final message carried belief. “It tests you,” Counsell said of the tough losses. “You have to use the hurt to get you to a better place. And it can.”

The series finale gives Chicago one immediate chance to respond. Can the Cubs bullpen finally protect a lead when October pressure is starting to feel real?

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