Craig Counsell Stuns MLB: Leaves Brewers to Become Cubs’ Record-Breaking $40M Manager

MILWAUKEE—Craig Counsell’s first postseason return to American Family Field as manager of the Chicago Cubs has turned a divisional rivalry into one of October’s most compelling storylines. Two days after a chorus of boos greeted the Wisconsin native during NLDS Game 1, Counsell and the Cubs head back to the dugout tonight looking to take control of the best-of-five series against the Milwaukee Brewers. The hostile reception was hardly surprising. Counsell spent nine seasons guiding the Brewers to five playoff appearances before shocking baseball by signing a record-setting five-year, $40 million deal with Chicago last winter—a move that reset the managerial salary market and left Milwaukee fans feeling betrayed. While emotions in the stands have run high, Counsell insists the focus in the clubhouse is strictly on advancing. “Noise is noise,” he said pre-game. “October is about execution.” Counsell’s chess match with longtime friend—and now Brewers skipper—Pat Murphy adds another subplot. The two built the Brewers’ winning culture together, but their relationship has been put on pause for at least one tense week. Murphy praised Counsell’s impact on the franchise yet admitted, “We both want the same thing and only one of us can get it right now.” Lineup juggling will again be crucial. After Game 1 exposed the Cubs’ vulnerability against high-octane relief arms, Counsell responded by unveiling a new-look order for Game 2. Cody Bellinger slides to cleanup, Christopher Morel comes off the bench to DH, and rookie Shota Imanaga gets the start opposite Milwaukee left-hander Aaron Ashby. The adjustment underscores the manager’s reputation for relentless matchup hunting—an approach that helped the Cubs post MLB’s third-best record versus southpaws this season. For Milwaukee, the mandate is simple: silence Chicago’s running game and capitalize on Counsell’s intimate knowledge of their pitching staff. The Brewers believe their bullpen depth, headlined by Devin Williams and Abner Uribe, can neutralize a Cubs lineup that led the National League in runs after the All-Star break. Williams, who thrived under Counsell’s stewardship, called facing his former manager “surreal but motivating.” Beyond the dugout dynamics, Game 2 could swing on defensive execution. The Cubs committed two costly errors in the opener, mirroring their season-long tendency to make life harder than necessary for a pitching staff short on strikeout artists. Counsell, famous for preaching “27 outs of pressure,” spent yesterday’s workout drilling infield fundamentals and bunt coverages. A win tonight would send the series back to Wrigley Field with the Cubs needing just one victory to clinch their first NLCS berth since 2017. A Brewers triumph would even the matchup and reignite fears in Chicago of another October letdown. Either way, Counsell’s every move will be magnified—celebrated in Wrigleyville and scrutinized in the Cream City he once called home. Key SEO takeaways: Craig Counsell, Chicago Cubs manager, Milwaukee Brewers rivalry, NLDS Game 2 lineup, American Family Field boos, Counsell contract switch, MLB postseason drama.