Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Colin Rea. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Cubs’ Craig Counsell under fire for controversial decision in loss to Mariners

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Jordan Sigler | Last updated Jun 23, 2025 8:38 PM ET

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Colin Rea. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

The Chicago Cubs appear to be hitting some turbulence, going 7-8 in their last 15 outings, and dropping two out of three games in a three-game series against the Seattle Mariners this weekend. The Cubs’ pitching staff surrendered 18 hits in a 14-6 loss to the Mariners in front of 36,185 fans at Wrigley Field on Sunday.

Chicago starting pitcher Colin Rea gave up three runs in the first three innings before surrendering two more by the bottom of the fifth. A three-run effort by the Cubs’ offense in the fifth made it a 5-4 ballgame. Despite Rea having a shaky outing, manager Craig Counsell made a controversial choice to send Rea back to the mound in the sixth inning despite the change in momentum in Chicago’s favor.

Colin Rea had a disastrous day for the Cubs

Rea promptly gave up two more runs in the top of the sixth inning, leaving after allowing seven earned runs in 5.1 innings pitched. Reliever Chris Flexen gave up two earned runs, and Nate Pearson surrendered five earned runs.

The Cubs lost another series to an above .500 team, something Chicago did earlier this month against the Philadelphia Phillies and Detroit Tigers. The Cubs have two important series upcoming, a four-game matchup with the St. Louis Cardinals (42-36) beginning on Monday and with the Houston Astros (44-33) starting on Friday.

Cubs fans are irate with Craig Counsell

Cubs manager Craig Counsell’s name was trending on social media Sunday afternoon after choosing to keep Rea in the game when the offense gave the team a chance.

“Pulling back within one run and then Counsell letting Rea walk back out there is quite the decision. Craig should have to drive to St. Louis,” wrote a fan.

“Craig Counsell is by far one of the worst managers I’ve ever seen in MLB. No fire, no heart, no qualities of a real leader,” posted another.

“Counsell, you need to do something better with your arms – there is no way that the pitchers for the Cubs are as bad as they have been the last two weeks or so. I get that Hoyer (Ricketts) is as tight as a Scots purse but C’MON MAN!!!,” argued a fan.

“I don’t understand Counsell. It’s 93 and he has the pitcher come out for the sixth inning?” wrote another.

“In no way shape or form should Rea have started the fifth after how awful he was the whole game. Unacceptable from Counsell,” scolded a fan.

“Rea had no business going out there in the sixth inning. Terrible decision by Counsell,” posted another.

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: