The title of today’s headline reflects the plan to do a series wrap-up after each Cubs series this season. More often than not, it’ll be in your inbox the morning after the series' final game. Today, we’re a day late (but still in before the Dodgers series starts, thanks to the day off on Thursday), and a few thoughts are light. I’m on vacation but still wanted to get these out today. So, we’re meeting in the middle with a lighter Cubs Observations installment than usual.

Craig Counsell is already proving that he will manage this pitching staff in a fashion Cubs fans aren’t familiar with, and that’s a good thing.

With the bullpen well rested on Wednesday thanks to back-to-back strong starts from Shōta Imanaga and Javier Assad, Counsell was able to get creative and call on a pair of bullpen arms to eat the bulk of the innings typically tabbed for the traditional starter.

Big southpaw Luke Little started Wednesday’s opener and retired the side in order in the opening frame. Counsell wanted Little to pitch one inning, and he delivered a strong one after a short 12-pitch outing the night before in a Cubs blowout victory.

Why did Counsell pick Little to open the game?

Colorado had two lefties in the top three of their order, and Counsell wanted that advantage in the opening frame.

After Little did his part, Counsell turned to rookie Ben Brown in the second. Brown shook off a shaky debut and pitched into the sixth inning against Colorado.

Counsell wanted Little to ensure that Ben Brown wouldn’t have to face the top of the Rockies order until he was settled in and one fewer time in general. The plan worked to perfection. Yency Almonte and Hector Neris made it look less perfect than it was with a rough eighth inning that allowed the Rockies to tie the game before the Cubs eventually won, but that shouldn’t take away from Counsell’s strategic victory with the Little-Brown combo at the start of the game.

With Counsell at the helm, things will look and feel different this season, which is good for the Cubs.

“I’m really impressed by everything he does,” Ben Brown said of Counsell after the game. “He’s an awesome guy. I trust him and believe in him. That makes a world of difference just knowing he’s there for my development and success.”

Christopher Morel’s glove remains a question, but his bat is doing a lot of heavy lifting.

Many fans are ready to pull the plug on the Christopher Morel project at third base. Craig Counsell isn’t, and he’s right about not wanting to.

“This is about consistency for Chris,” Counsell said this week, “and kind of getting him over there every day, and getting practice over there every day. And then we measure this in (some) bigger chunks to keep improving. The reason why you do things like this is because it affects other parts of the team, and I think it can make the team better in general.

“I think he’s getting better. He’s going to have to pass tests, of course, but we’re making progress. We just have to keep trying to make progress. He’s going to have some bad days. We’re going to have to live with that. And that’s OK.”

Counsell feels that Morel’s glove is getting better at third. Even if you disagree, his 1.131 OPS (13th-best in baseball) has to stay in the lineup, and that will not be as a full-time DH. At least not yet.

It’s been six games. Be patient. Trust Counsell. The Cubs didn’t make him the highest-paid manager in baseball for no reason. If Morel can become even passable at third base and continue to hit the way that he has, then Counsell will have another feather to add to his cap. There’s always a chance things don’t work out that way, but it’s way too early to pull the plug on the project.

Allowing players to do something they’re passionate about, like being a passable defender instead of becoming a full-time designated hitter early in his career, is best for Morel. Craig Counsell seems intent on seeing that opportunity through, and I respect it.

Other hot bats in the lineup …

The Cubs scored 26 runs in three games against the Rockies this week. The bats showed up in a big way, and it’s not just Christopher Morel who’s crushing the baseball right now.

Seiya Suzuki and Ian Happ are tied with Morel for the team lead in hits. Suzuki has a pair of home runs and 8 RBI, along with a .972 OPS. Happ has also drawn five walks, and his OBP is at .500 on the young season.

Dansby Swanson and Cody Bellinger have gotten into the longball ball fun as well, with a home run each, and both have OPS north of .690. Not too shabby.

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