Cubs manager Craig Counsell spoke to the media ahead of first pitch Tuesday at Wrigley Field about Justin Steele being in Chicago with the team during his rehab, how often the injured left-hander will be in town, the decision to leave Moisés Ballesteros to catch at Triple-A and much more.
Video summary/cliff notes:
(00:00–00:20) Counsell emphasizes the emotional and motivational benefits of injured pitcher Justin Steele staying connected with the team during rehab. The goal is to break the monotony of recovery and keep morale up.
(01:08–02:33) Counsell discusses young catcher Moisés and his development, stressing the importance of repetitions at a demanding position. While Moisés could be called up, he needs consistent game experience behind the plate.
(02:33–04:30) Counsell praises Seiya Suzuki, who was named NL Player of the Week, highlighting his big hits, consistency, and the difficulty opposing teams have pitching to him. He notes Suzuki is thriving in a balanced, action-filled lineup.
(05:02–05:48) Despite injuries to key starters, the pitching staff and overall roster have stepped up, with many contributors playing key roles. Counsell emphasizes the value of depth.
(06:15–06:58) Close games haven’t worn down the team; instead, Counsell finds them fun and energizing, noting the grind of winning tight MLB games is simply part of the sport.
(07:29–08:40) The Cubs’ success is attributed to collective effort, not one standout area. While Suzuki had a strong week, sustained winning requires consistent contributions from across the roster.
(09:17–10:08) Counsell reacts to a deep flyout by Armstrong that looked like a homer but wasn’t. He sympathizes with the disappointment of doing everything right but not getting the result, likening it to a writer having their hard work dismissed by an editor.