Latest news with #CraigCounsell
Reuters
10 hours ago
- Business
- Reuters
Cubs looking for better start from Ben Brown against Reds
May 31 - Ben Brown might look like a different pitcher when he takes the mound for the Chicago Cubs in the second game of their three-game series against the visiting Cincinnati Reds on Saturday afternoon. For starters, the Cubs plan to use an opener before inserting Brown into the game. That's because Brown has struggled in the first inning this season, most recently walking the first two batters against the Reds last Sunday before surrendering four runs in the first inning of the eventual 11-8 win by Chicago. "I think there's things Ben can do better," Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. "I think when you use an opener for a starter you're trying to get a better solution in the first inning, and then you're trying to probably get a better solution as you get to the back end of the appearance, with hitters 19 to 25, or something like that." Brown (3-3, 6.39 ERA) wasn't happy with his last performance, when he ended up allowing a career-high eight runs over 4 1/3 innings. Brown wasn't much better in his start before that either, but the second-year right-hander began the month with three straight solid outings, including six shutout innings against the Milwaukee Brewers in a 10-0 win on May 2. "I'm having periods of time where I'm the best pitcher I've ever been and then I'm having times where I'm obviously struggling," Brown said. "There's two directions you can go. I can just have the worst season of all-time, or I can fix my attitude and my effort and really lock into what needs to be done, and I'm going to choose that route." Brown also faced the Reds in his final two starts last season and lost both before he went on the injured list with a left neck strain, which was later revealed to be a benign neck tumor. Overall, he's 0-2 in the three starts against Cincinnati with a 10.80 ERA. "There's definitely something I need to change," Brown added. "And I'm sure everyone here is aware that it's not a secret. So, whatever I have to do to do that, whatever the avenue is to do that, I'm willing to do it and just keep on going." Nick Lodolo is scheduled to start on Saturday for the Reds, who won the series opener 6-2 on Friday afternoon behind seven shutout innings from fellow left-hander Andrew Abbott. Lodolo (4-4, 3.39 ERA) and Brown matched up last Sunday, and Lodolo did not receive a decision after allowing three runs and six hits over five innings. He struck out six and walked two. "They put up good at bats, one through nine," Lodolo said about the Cubs, who came into the series leading the MLB at 5.9 runs a game. "Every guy over there has a good idea of what they are going to do at the dish." Lodolo and Brown also matched up last season on June 2 and Lodolo earned the win after allowing two runs and seven hits in six innings of the 5-2 victory. He then beat the Cubs again five days later. Overall, Lodolo is 2-2 in six career starts against Chicago with a 5.29 ERA. --Field Level Media
Associated Press
16 hours ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Cubs could go with an opener to help Ben Brown with first-inning trouble
CHICAGO (AP) — Ben Brown has struggled in the first inning so far this season. While he works on a solution, the Chicago Cubs might try a different approach. Manager Craig Counsell said the team could use an opener on Saturday for Brown's regular turn in the rotation. The plan depends on what happens during Friday's series opener against the Cincinnati Reds. Brown was hit hard in his last two starts, allowing 14 runs and 14 hits over nine innings in no-decisions at Miami and Cincinnati. The 6-foot-6 right-hander has a 9.90 ERA in the first inning this year. 'I'm getting so excited, so pumped up to pitch I'm losing kind of sight of what I do best,' Brown said. 'And it's like a mental (thing) not being able to throw strikes. There's a real dynamic to the first inning of baseball games that is different than other innings. 'So I have been working a lot with coaches and trainers, just trying to navigate throughout the process to make it a little bit easier for me.' Brown, 25, relies heavily on his four-seam fastball and a knuckle curveball. He has been working on adding a changeup to his repertoire, and he said he has been encouraged by the results so far. 'I think the changeup will be something I continue to use more and more,' he said. 'I mean in my bullpens, it's so comfortable. ... I think that's going to be real important.' Brown was acquired in an August 2022 trade with Philadelphia. He made his major league debut last year, going 1-3 with a 3.58 ERA in eight starts and seven relief appearances with Chicago. In his most recent start Sunday against the Reds, Brown walked his first two batters on nine pitches. He ended up surrendering four runs in the first after he was staked to a 2-0 lead. 'I think there's things Ben can do better,' Counsell said. 'I think when you use an opener for a starter you're trying to get a better solution in the first inning and then you're trying to probably get a better solution kind of as you get to the back end of the appearance, with hitters 19 to 25 or something like that.' Counsell had another left-hander in his bullpen for the matchup with Cincinnati after Chicago signed Génesis Cabrera on Thursday's off day. Right-hander Brooks Kriske was designated for assignment. Cabrera, 28, had no record and a 3.52 ERA in six appearances for the New York Mets before he was designated for assignment last weekend. 'I think we're continuing to try to just add depth and incrementally upgrade,' Counsell said. 'I think we're going through a stretch of the season right now where I think left-handers are going to help.' Cabrera, who is from the Dominican Republic, is 17-14 with a 3.88 ERA in seven major league seasons, also playing for St. Louis and Toronto. 'I like to compete,' Cabrera said through a translator. 'I can actually go in in any situation. ... High-leverage or any inning, anything like that. I'm a competitor.' ___ AP MLB:
Washington Post
2 days ago
- Health
- Washington Post
Cubs ace Shota Imanaga progressing from hamstring strain
CHICAGO — Chicago Cubs ace left-hander Shota Imanaga has taken a step toward returning from a left hamstring strain that has sidelined him since May 4 , manager Craig Counsell said on Wednesday. Before the Cubs series finale again Colorado, Imanaga threw a 28-pitch bullpen session, ran and took fielding practice.
Newsweek
4 days ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
MLB News: Cubs Dealt Huge Injury Blow
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Half of the Chicago Cubs' productive catching tandem is expected to be out at least a month as a result of an injury, manager Craig Counsell told reporters on Tuesday. Miguel Amaya is expected to be out 4 to 6 weeks with an oblique strain. Amaya, who underwent an MRI after suffering the injury, is slashing .280/.313/.505 this season. Expected to be the starter coming into the season, Amaya had ceded time to Carson Kelly, who is among the most surprising offensive forces in baseball this season. Kelly, 30, is slashing .301/.425/.612 in his 10th major league season. Still, losing Amaya until at least the All-Star break is a big blow to the top team in the National League Central as they look to keep both their catchers fresh for what promises to be an exciting stretch run in Chicago. More to come on this story from Newsweek Sports.
New York Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
At Memorial Day, the Cubs look dangerous and are primed for a fun summer
CHICAGO – Traditionally, Memorial Day has always been a good time to check in and evaluate how well a team is playing. Well, this just in: The Cubs are good. At 33-21, the Cubs are 12 games over .500 before June for the first time since 2016. That year, for those who remember, turned out pretty well for the team. Advertisement It's too early to be breaking out 2016 comps, though. What the Cubs can lean on is an offense that never seems out of a game, regardless of the deficit they may face. And one that has managed to find different ways to score when Wrigley Field and its notorious wind play treachery on fly balls like it did Monday afternoon. In a 3-1 win over the Colorado Rockies, the Cubs had just four hits, only one for extra bases. But they also drew four walks, two of which came around to score. There was a sacrifice fly, a sacrifice bunt and another run that scored due to an inning being extended via an error. 'We executed offensively,' manager Craig Counsell said. 'We didn't have our best day swinging the bats. It's a tough day with the wind, for sure. We got a runner in from third with less than two outs, we got a bunt down, took advantage of a defensive mistake and then we pitched great.' Days like Monday are important because they show that this team isn't just about outslugging their opponent. Yes, those comeback victories over the weekend were exciting and show that Chicago is never really out of it. But Monday's version shows that it can grind out a 'W' when everything isn't quite clicking. 'We don't have to wait for a big homer,' Kyle Tucker said. 'If we have one, great, I'll take it. But we can get guys on and make it tough at-bats for the pitchers. Whether it's hitting, baserunning, pitching, defense — I think we can win in multiple ways. You don't have to rely on one thing to get by.' The Cubs were likely robbed of a home run by the wind when Pete Crow-Armstrong sent a fly ball 106.8 mph to right that ended up landing harmlessly in the glove of Micky Moniak. But Tucker drove in two runs, one via a sac fly and another with a single. Dansby Swanson drove in another with a groundout. Sometimes, small ball is all a team needs. This swing by PCA was a homer in 29/30 ballparks … — Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) May 26, 2025 On the other side, Jameson Taillon was perfect through 4 2/3 before giving up a solo homer to Moniak. He finished his day with 6 1/3 innings of one-run ball, striking out seven and walking none in one of his better outings of the season. The veteran righty is showing the importance of pounding the zone as only three qualified starters in the National League have a better walk rate than Taillon's 4.7 percent. Advertisement 'We're tough on pitchers,' Taillon said. '(We're) finding a way to win different types of games. We can win the slugfest, we can win the small-ball game. Pitchers are throwing a lot of strikes, our bullpen's really finding its groove.' It was an important outing for Taillon as the starters had fallen behind early in each of their three games in Cincinnati. Overall, Cubs starters have a 4.05 ERA (19th in baseball) and their relievers are at 3.99 (17th). The bullpen is trending in the right direction, but the rotation could certainly use some stability. Injured starter Shota Imanaga is expected to throw off a mound Wednesday as he begins to ramp back up from a hamstring injury. Reliever Porter Hodge is in a holding pattern after going on the injured list with a strained oblique last week. The chances of a minimum stint for him are dwindling unless the team sees progress in short order. Still, the Cubs have proven to be remarkably resilient. Daniel Palencia deserves a lot of credit for stepping into the closer's role, and after blowing his first opportunity, he's locked down his next three. He boasts a 1.93 ERA, 26.4 percent strikeout rate and a blazing, triple-digit heater. Even with Miguel Amaya going down with an oblique injury and Carson Kelly scratched on Sunday with an illness, the recently added Reese McGuire hit two critical homers yesterday and laid down a big bunt Monday. This team is getting contributions from all over. Matt Shaw can't be ignored either. He took two walks Monday and is up to a 94 wRC+ on the season. His glove has looked electric as well, as he pulled off another stunning play Monday afternoon when he ranged to his right and then fired to first while falling into foul territory to get the speedy Brenton Doyle at first. Moving forward, the Cubs will need to get and then stay healthy. Team president Jed Hoyer and his front office will have to be aggressive at the deadline to try and add pitching to both the rotation and bullpen. But right now, this team looks dangerous and with the right additions could be better than some expected. Advertisement The vibes are high in Wrigleyville right now. The only question is whether it can last through the summer and lead to a fun fall. 'We're playing good ball,' Taillon said. 'It's a fun team. It's fun to be a part of. It's good right now. Obviously, a lot of year ahead.'
