Craig Counsell has consistently pushing all the right buttons for the Chicago Cubs. His numbers-based, strategic calls have his team at the head of their division. But a recent move has placed the celebrated manager squarely in the spotlight. In a high-stakes matchup with an elite pitcher, Counsell chose to bench one of his hottest young stars. The decision backfired in a frustrating loss that set off heated debate and sharp criticism from baseball observers who wondered what the manager had been thinking.
The call in question happened in Detroit on Friday, June 6, 2025. The Cubs were playing a difficult interleague series against the Tigers. The opposing pitcher was Detroit’s ace, Tarik Skubal, and he has been untouchable. The defending AL Cy Young winner went 7.2 innings, allowing one run. He held the potent Cubs lineup in check, leading the Tigers to a 3-1 victory. But one element was absent from the Cubs’ lineup. Red-hot first baseman Michael Busch was replaced by veteran Justin Turner on the bench.
That decision did not sit well with many. On their Inside the Clubhouse podcast, David Haugh and Bruce Levine voiced their frustration. “Why in a game like that against a pitcher that good?” they questioned. They argued that in a crucial game, you play your best players, regardless of the lefty-righty matchup. They made their point clear, stating, “Michael Bush should have been in that game, should have been in that lineup, not Justin Turner.”
Their main argument centered on momentum and feel. Busch was on a tear, and benching him felt like a misstep. “You.. you have to read the room,” Levine insisted. He pointed out that “Michael Bush has been hitting all week and then he comes into Detroit and he sits all game.” For the critics, ignoring a player’s hot streak in favor of a struggling veteran was a move that defied common sense, especially in a close game where his bat was sorely missed.
Cubs’ offensive firepower meets Tigers’ pitching dominance
Numbers-wise, it’s easy to see their point. Michael Busch, the 27-year-old slugger, has been tremendous this season. He boasts an impressive. 275 average while slugging a decent .882 OPS. That mark of 150 wRC+ suggests he has been 50 percent better than a league-average hitter. The 27-year-old first baseman had entered with a seven-game hitting streak with a .435 average over that span. His bat has been a spectacular part of the Cubs’ offensive ride this season.
On the downside, Justin Turner has not gotten on track. The veteran is hitting just. 211 with a meager .569 OPS on the season. But Counsell’s move was based on their platoon splits. Turner has the distinct advantage against left-handed pitching, slashing .268. Busch, despite his overall success, hits a lowly .167 against southpaws. Counsell defended his choice with data, stating about the matchup, “It hasn’t been close enough to justify a big change.”
The game was a contest between two of baseball’s best teams. The Chicago Cubs have been on a roll, starting the night at 39-24 and on top of the NL Central. Their offense, for one, has been electric, topping the league with 363 runs scored. They are second in team batting average (.261) and No. 5 in homers (88). Their aggressive baserunning (82 stolen bases) applies constant pressure on the opposing defense, which is why they have a league-high run differential of +109.
The Detroit Tigers have been just as good. They entered the game with the best record in the AL at 42-23, and leading the AL Central. Their offense is average, but their strength comes from their pitching. The Tigers’ staff owns a remarkable 3.20 team ERA, the fourth-best in all of baseball. Led by their ace Skubal, they have been shutting down opponents all season. Their +88 run differential ranked third in MLB, proving they are a legitimate powerhouse.
In the end, Counsell made a calculated decision based on analytics. He chose the platoon advantage over the hot hand. However, the numbers back that up, but the result was a loss, and he was right to be held accountable. It amplifies a timeless baseball debate: Do you believe in the numbers or in the hot streak of a player’s confidence? The manager is supposed to do both, of course, but on this night, the manager had everyone wondering if he had made a mistake.
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