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Craig Counsell’s gutsy call rescued Cubs from Padres in Game 1

Craig Counsell just proved why the Cubs hired him
Jordan Campbell
Jordan Campbell

Cubbies Crib

Wild Card Series - San Diego Padres v Chicago Cubs - Game One / Michael Reaves/GettyImages

The traditional playbook often needs to be thrown out when talking about how managers make in-game decisions during the playoffs, and that was the case for Craig Counsell during the Chicago Cubs' victory over the San Diego Padres in Game 1 of the National League Wild Card. Back-to-back home runs from Seiya Suzuki and Carson Kelly jolted the offense in the fifth inning, but it was the decision Counsell made before then that saved the day.

Matthew Boyd got the nod for the Cubs on Tuesday, and except for a shaky second inning, the All-Star starting pitcher was excellent. Despite Boyd only giving up 1 run into the fifth inning, Counsell turned the game over to the bullpen, and Daniel Palencia was the first man up.

Palencia, despite an injury scare in September and some regression, has thrived as the Cubs' closer this season, and that is why there was some surprise that he was being called upon in the fifth inning. It was a stroke of genius for Counsell as Palencia tossed 1 and 2/3 perfect innings while striking out 2. Most importantly, Palencia was flawless as he got through the third time around for the top of the Padres' lineup--Fernando Tatis Jr., Luis Arraez, and Manny Machado.

Craig Counsell outsmarts Padres with brilliant Game 1 call

With the Cubs handing out the richest managerial contract in the history of baseball when they hired Counsell after the 2023 season, the jokes wrote themselves over the last two years. The 83 wins the Cubs registered in 2024 left many wondering if the Cubs' front office misevaluated the decision to move on from David Ross in favor of Counsell, but a decision like the one he made on Tuesday should silence the doubters for good.

Counsell's ability to manage a bullpen is what helped him earn the reputation of being one of the best managers in baseball, and that was on full display during the Cubs' victory on Tuesday. In a shortened three-game series, decisions like that are the difference, and the Cubs now sit in the driver's seat against the Padres.

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Jordan Campbell

Jordan Campbell

For nearly 15 years, Jordan has been a workhorse across the FanSided network - including being the inaugural site expert for Cubbies Crib, as well as a stop at Da Windy City as the site expert. In addition to returning to be a Co-Site Expert at Cubbies Crib, Jordan was previously the Site Expert at Bear Goggles On. In the years since, Jordan has joined FanSided's full-time team, serving as a staff writer for the MLB division. Jordan's work can be seen across the MLB division, including a consistent presence on our Cubs, Twins, Astros, and Tigers sites. Since 2010, Jordan has dedicated his craft to providing insightful commentary on all things Chicago sports, and he has enjoyed his venture into all things Major League Baseball.