3 things we learned about the Cubs on their season-opening homestand

3. Craig Counsell is pulling all the right levers early in his Cubs career

Simply put, there just seems to be a much higher level of confidence in the decisions made by Counsell compared to those made by David Ross in recent years. From changing up the lineup and keeping guys fresh, there's been little to complain about when it comes to the new Cubs skipper here in April.

Taking 5 of 6 in your first homestand at the helm is certainly a good way to make a strong first impression, but even as Counsell learns the ins and outs of his roster, especially when it comes to the pitching staff, every decision felt, at the very least, logical and defendable - and that wasn't always the case with Ross in 2023.

It helps when your guys put together solid at-bats from 1 through 9 and you get Gold Glove-caliber defense all over the diamond. The Cubs overcame a week of cold, wet conditions at Wrigley, taking care of business in the process. Now, it's about taking that momentum and carrying it with them for a tough road trip that features matchups with the Padres, Mariners and Diamondbacks.