Cubs Manager Craig Counsell Threw Player Under the Bus

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell looked stressed in his postgame press conference on Monday night. The Cubs are in danger of losing the NLDS after dropping Game 2 following a 7-3 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers in front of 42,787 fans at American Family Field.

Starting pitcher Shota Imanaga was rocked by the Brewers, giving up four earned runs, three of which came off a home run by former Chicago White Sox first baseman Andrew Vaughn. The Brewers earned their first lead of the game when Imanaga gave up a one-run homer in the third inning to catcher William Contreras.

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell on the loss

During his postgame news conference, Counsell told the media he voiced his frustration with the pitching staff giving up multiple home runs. A three-run home run by Jackson Chourio off of relief pitcher Daniel Palencia in the fourth inning added insurance for the Brewers.

“I mean, look, we made a couple of mistakes with multiple runners on base and, after, after getting off to a great start,” Counsell said of blowing a 3-0 lead in the first inning, via Marquee Sports Network. “Those mistakes were two, three on homers… You’re not going to win playoff games giving up to three homers. That was just too much to overcome.”

“You’re not gonna win playoff games giving up two 3-run homers. That was just too much to overcome.”

Craig Counsell on today’s loss. pic.twitter.com/bFHFU24GJB

— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) October 7, 2025

Counsell didn’t like how Imanaga pitched on Monday

Counsell was frustrated that Imanaga allowed multiple players on base before giving up home runs.

“I think giving up home runs, and Shota has succeeded because he’s kept runners off base, and maybe the solo home run doesn’t hurt you as much,” Counsell said.” Again, I’m going to reiterate, the three-run homer is going to kill you, and you can survive some solo home runs, homers with men on base like that, you’re going to have a tough time surviving them.

“And you know, he did get off to a good start. There was some swing and miss first two innings, for sure. That was, was good to see. But you know, the long ball… With runners on base, like, that’s going to be hard to overcome.”

Imanaga wasn’t happy with himself after the loss, claiming he “ruined” the Cubs chances of tying up the series.

“I ruined the game,” Imanaga said. “So there’s a lot of frustration within myself.”

The Cubs now trail the Brewers 0-2. They will play in an elimination game on Wednesday at 4:08 p.m. CDT on TBS.

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