Counsell: There's a 'big gap' between Cubs, Brewers

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell believes his club has a lot of work to do if it wants to catch up to the Milwaukee Brewers.

"I think the message sent really is that there's a big gap," Counsell said Thursday, per Marquee Sports. "They're ahead of us by a lot. It's a talented team, on and off the field. But there's a big gap and we've got room to make up, there's no question about it."

Counsell left the Brewers after nine seasons and signed a five-year, $40-million contract with the Cubs in the offseason.

The Brewers have been one of the biggest surprises in baseball this season, cruising to a third division title in four years.

The Cubs, meanwhile, sit in second place in the NL Central but are trending toward missing the postseason for a fourth consecutive year.

"We've got to get better," Counsell said. "The team we're chasing is 10 games ahead of us. You've got to get better. We should be trying to build 90-win teams here. That's the playoff standard."