In a blowout win on Sunday, Craig Counsell showed he is not messing around

After losing the first two games to the Seattle Mariners, both ending in walk-off fashion, the Chicago Cubs took out their frustration in a 19–2 demolition to avoid being swept. It was a reminder that their offense can still overwhelm teams in waves even though it has struggled with RISP in recent games. 

But beneath the fireworks and the sigh of relief in the dugout, manager Craig Counsell managed the game like they are in playoff mode.

Starter Shota Imanaga struggled as he gave up a leadoff home run to Randy Arozarena and worked through extensive traffic on the basepaths. The Cubs took a 5-2 lead in the top of the 3rd after a solo home run by Michael Conforto followed by a grand slam by Ian Happ. However, after allowing two quick singles to begin the third inning, manager Craig Counsell pulled the left-hander at 72 pitches without recording an out.

Reliever Aaron Civale came in and saved the day for the Cubs. He gave them four innings, then Trent Thornton and Caleb Thielbar each took an inning after him. Catcher Carson Kelly pitched the ninth to put a finishing touch on a blowout.

Shota Imanaga is officially put on notice after Sunday

With so many pitchers returning from injuries, the Cubs suddenly have options at rotation and bullpen. High‑leverage options. And when a team is fighting for playoff positioning, every start becomes a referendum. 

And Imanaga’s performance on Sunday, which was the shortest start of his career, puts him on notice now. His command wavered and pitch count ballooned as a result. And in a game where the Cubs’ offense just took the lead, Imanaga couldn’t take advantage of the cushion. 

The Cubs don’t need “good enough” anymore. They need October‑ready pitching. And yesterday’s short outing will stick in Craig Counsell’s mind. 

Survival mode has begun for many Cubs pitchers

If you watched Counsell on Sunday, he managed aggressively and with intention. He knows the roster is about to get crowded, and he’ll have to make tough decisions soon.

The Cubs had only three quality starts over their last 10 games. One of them was Imanaga against the Chicago White Sox on August 17th. The others are Clay Holmes against the St. Louis Cardinals on August 14th, and Kevin Gausman against the Washington Nationals on August 12th. 

Matthew Boyd, billed as the Cubs’ No. 1 starter, has struggled in each of his last two starts. He has to show Counsell he is capable of carrying the team come October. If you also include David Peterson and Javier Assad, every starting pitcher has something to prove.

Edwin Cabrera’s disastrous outing before returning to the IL again for blisters complicates things for Counsell. But he can’t afford for Cabrera to work his way back anymore this late in the season. And don’t forget Ben Brown and Justin Steele could also return in September. All of them will work from the bullpen the rest of the season. If they’re not up to the task, somebody’s going to lose their spot.

Daniel Palencia came off the IL and immediately jumped back into action on Friday. And several relievers, such as Hoby Milner and Shelby Miller, are ramping up their rehab assignment and could be activated soon. Civale, Thornton, and Thielbar all helped their case to remain with the Cubs beyond the regular season with their performance last Sunday. Who gets DFA’d when they return from the IL bears watching.

Even Ryan Zeferjahn, who has not looked sharp since being acquired from the Los Angeles Angels, has to step up or he could be optioned and left out of the postseason roster. 

A 19–2 win was fun. But Counsell is managing this team into postseason mode now. Counsell is operating under pressure and urgency more than ever. And with every Cubs pitcher returning from the IL, other Cubs pitchers know their margin for error keeps shrinking.