Craig Counsell Tackles Challenges Amid Cubs' Struggles

Craig Counsell's tenure as manager of the Chicago Cubs has faced significant hurdles this season, despite entering the campaign as frontrunners for the National League Central title. Early on, the team showcased its potential with two impressive ten-game winning streaks, but as the All-Star break approaches, the Cubs find themselves languishing in third place, with few signs of a return to form.

The issues plaguing the Cubs are numerous, including a series of injuries that have impacted the pitching staff and a persistent offensive slump. With the 2026 season nearing the halfway point, Counsell is finding his managerial skills put to the test like never before. He remarked, “Any time any of us experience struggles, you’re more vulnerable during those times... They don’t all work. Some work, some don’t. But I think they lead to some good things.”

In his nine seasons managing the Milwaukee Brewers, Counsell enjoyed a winning record six times and guided his team to the playoffs on five occasions. However, the expectations surrounding the 2026 Cubs were particularly high, making the current struggles all the more disappointing. Nonetheless, Counsell is determined to view these challenges as opportunities for growth. “This is where coaching happens... Your players are asking for them. The ears are wide open when they’re struggling,” he stated.

As the Cubs battle through their difficulties, key players like Dansby Swanson and Nico Hoerner are underperforming. Swanson, in particular, has faced scrutiny for his lackluster .587 OPS. Counsell is hesitant to shift his lineup significantly, believing that it’s important to allow Swanson the chance to regain his offensive rhythm. “I think we should be continuing to invest in Dansby getting back to the offensive player that we know he is,” he said.

Recently, Swanson’s performance showed glimmers of improvement, highlighted by a two-run homer in a game against the Rockies, where the Cubs secured an 8-6 victory. Swanson has been actively working on refining his batting approach, specifically targeting his struggles against offspeed and breaking pitches, which have plagued him this season. “It can be so easy in this game to chase your tail... but being set in an approach is crucial,” he noted.

As the Cubs strive to turn their season around, Counsell remains focused on fostering a resilient and adaptive mindset among his players, recognizing that overcoming adversity is part of the journey in professional baseball.