NL WILD CARD SERIES: CUBS VS PADRES

September 30, 2026

Craig Counsell

Petco Park

Chicago Cubs

Pregame Press Conference

Q. When talking to Gausman after last night's game, he admitted a few days ago he wasn't sure if he'd be in a place to be able to pitch here. What has it been like for you watching him get to the point where he's able to go tonight, and how would you describe your confidence level in him given what he's gone through over the past week?

CRAIG COUNSELL: It's a non-throwing shoulder, so I think that's the significant thing about this. It's just improved every day like you would expect it to improve. And because we've gotten "I feel better, I feel better" for four days, five days in a row, he's confident that he's going to be able to go out there and deliver a good outing.

Q. He's a guy who's been in situations like this before. What does that do for him and kind of in with what he's been able to provide for you since coming to the team in the trade?

CRAIG COUNSELL: Look, Kevin's through obviously with the postseason run with the Blue Jays last year and making a number of very significant starts, he knows the feeling. We're in a "back up against the wall" feeling, and that's a good thing sometimes. It's good to feel like that a little bit.

There's one way to go for us, you know what I mean? We've got no other choice. Certainly Kevin's familiar with that, but it's pretty easy for us. We got to get the job done. That means everybody's available, everybody's involved, and that's how we'll treat it. You don't worry about tomorrow, you worry about everything tonight. Tonight's the only thing that matters.

Q. Was there anything you noticed in your conversations or just observations around the team that the team is in a good sort of head space after last night's game and that they are going to kind of follow what this group has done really the entire year in terms of kind of battling through adversity and things like that?

CRAIG COUNSELL: Last night was -- we played a bad game last night. There's nothing really to draw from it. It was literally a game where like get in the shower and get out of here. There's nothing to talk about. We played a poor game.

It's the playoffs, and you come the next day, and there's a game to win. You have to turn the page, and you do turn the page. Being an elimination game, that can turn the page faster than anything.

We know what's ahead of us. We know it's going to be difficult, and it should be. We faced that a number of times already, and we'll do it again.

Q. For those of us who aren't around, how did Gausman hurt his shoulder?

CRAIG COUNSELL: It was a play at third base where he kind of dove to tag somebody.

Q. So is it like a bruise or sublux or something like that?

CRAIG COUNSELL: Yeah, his shoulder kind of got hyperextended when he went to tag him.

Q. Do you think -- I kind of don't really want to ask you this question because I know you --

(Laughter.)

Do you think there's a difference between playing these games at Wrigley Field and playing these games here? The Padres are 52-30 here this year, and the last time you guys played them in July, you beat them 23-3 at Wrigley.

CRAIG COUNSELL: I don't think that game's relevant at all.

Q. I figured you'd say that.

CRAIG COUNSELL: Look, it's a great atmosphere here. It's a great environment. I would tell you like road playoff wins are really fun, you know what I mean? We're here, man. This is where the game is. We're playing the game in San Diego. And we're looking forward to it. There's no going back from that.

Q. You've obviously had a ton of experience managing in the postseason, been in elimination-game scenarios plenty too. On days like this in game moments like tonight, is there anything from your past experience that you lean on in situations like this?

CRAIG COUNSELL: The one thing I -- I talked to the team last year about it a little bit. It's just like stay engaged with each other. You tend to get a little introspective on days like this, but I think staying engaged with each other is certainly the most important thing. It's something our team's been really good at. But it's something you always keep an eye on. So it's just that.

Then look, the back's against the wall. It's a real thing, and it's a great place to be. I think some people might not like it. I think athletes love it. Put my back against the wall, and I've got to fight. I've got to fight or it's over. That's a good place to be.

Q. Every team tends to say we're good at turning the page. What is it about your group that you have found it is a real thing with this particular set of players, that they are really good at turning the page?

CRAIG COUNSELL: Look, that's just results, I think, same way. We can sit here and talk about it. I agree with you, we can sit here and talk about it and say we're good. You go out -- that's why we play the games. We go out on the field and play the game, so we've got to prove it.

Every athlete's been through there, and you have to respond. You're going to get stuff put in front of you, and you have to respond. I think we've had a lot put in front of us. We've had a lot of responses. That's what indicates -- I think that creates confidence. All the responses create confidence. That's where we're at again.

Q. You've been in a lot of these situations as a player and a manager in two World Series. What's the difference in feeling for you between as a player and managing this club?

CRAIG COUNSELL: I think it's just a normal difference between managing and playing. When you're managing, you think about everybody else, and when you're playing, you got your job to do, I think. That's the biggest thing. You got your focus and your cues and things like that, and I think managing, it's a people job. So making sure your people are in a good place to do their jobs is what dominates your thoughts.