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Cubs' brutal losing streak puts Craig Counsell in unfamiliar territory

Chicago has now dropped nine straight games, marking the longest losing streak of Counsell's managerial career.
ByCasey McAleer|
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May 8, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell (11) stands the dugout prior to a game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
May 8, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell (11) stands the dugout prior to a game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images | Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

Craig Counsell has spent over a decade in the dugout as the manager of the team. He spent about a decade with the Brewers before making the divisional shift to Chicago. But in all of that time, and in all of those seasons, never before did Counsell have to suffer a nine+ game losing streak.

The Brewers came closest a couple times, but Counsell is normally pretty good about keeping his roster competitive regardless of the situation his team is in.

The steady hand of Counsell suddenly looks tested

The Cubs have dropped five series’ in a row. It's a shattering image when you consider that this same team possessed two separate ten-game win streaks. The Cubs were vying for not only first place in the NL Central, but they were on pace to take the best record in baseball. At the time, it looked probable that they'd do so, but things fell apart when the Braves came to Chicago.

Since that series, the Cubs have lost nine in a row, the longest streak in baseball. This team is far too talented to be slumping to this degree. Things may look bleak now, but there's a lot of baseball left. Panicking now would only cause unnecessary struggle. It is still May, after all. 

The roster is also forcing difficult conversations that many Cubs fans did not expect to have this early in the year. Young players like Moises Ballesteros are struggling badly at the plate, while veterans across the lineup have gone cold at the same time. When an entire offense collapses together, the pressure eventually lands on the manager.

I have disagreed with Counsell on many things. But it's always been about fundamental things like timing. When a pitcher should be left in for another batter, when it's time to put in a pinch hitter. But I can not defend recent roster decisions. If the Cubs wish to reverse course and climb out of the deep hole they've found themselves in, Counsell is going to have to start pulling the right strings again before this skid turns an ugly stretch into a lost summer.

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