Browsing: Matthew

Matthew Schaefer has had quite the debut in the NHL, hasn’t he? He’s scored a point in every game he’s played — including a fun first NHL goal. ESPN analyst John Tortorella noted that he reminds him of Hall of Famer Chris Pronger with his skating … that’s not bad at all for the New York Islanders’ first overall pick from the 2025 draft.

The debut has also been historical. Schaefer started his NHL career with a five-game point streak (and counting). That’s the second longest point streak by any defenseman from the start of their career, behind only Marek Zidlicky (six games) in 2003-04. He is the first 18-year-old defenseman in NHL history to achieve that (every other 18-year-old on the list was a forward).

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His first NHL goal was electric. There was a big scrum in front on an Islanders power play, amid the chaos the puck is lost, and Schaefer barges in from the blue line and pokes the puck that was barely visible under Logan Thompson’s pads into the net in a seamless motion. Among his many other traits, the hockey IQ is quite high.

Schaefer turned 18 on Sept. 5; yes, just over a month ago. He is the youngest defenseman to make his NHL debut, to record a point in his NHL debut, the youngest NHL player on record to score his first goal on the power play, and the youngest player to play 25-plus minutes in a game.

He’s also garnering a lot of early “Isles franchise player of the future” nods from the Islanders faithful. It might be a bit early to be doling out accolades like that. But Matthew Schaefer is definitely fun to watch, and the best is yet to come.

Jump ahead:
Games of the week
What I liked this weekend
Hart Trophy candidates
Social post of the week

Biggest games of the week

7:30 p.m. ET | ESPN

Obviously the biggest game of the week from a storyline perspective is Brad Marchand returning for his first game in Boston. He was injured the last time the Panthers visited Boston, so all of the pomp and circumstance will come during this game.

Marchand is a banner- and statue-level guy in Beantown, without question. I expect an extended ovation, then the fans booing him when he levels David Pastrnak in a scrum.

7 p.m. ET | ESPN+

Two playoff teams from last season. Star power aplenty, with Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier and Jesper Bratt on one side, against Auston Matthews, William Nylander and John Tavares on the other.

But there’s another wrinkle to this one. Greg Wyshynski and I created a brand new “North American Hockey Championship” title belt for our digital show “The Drop,” and it’s currently held by me thanks to the Canadian victory in last year’s 4 Nations Face-Off. This is how title defenses work: for every Canada vs. USA international game, men’s or women’s, the title is automatically on the line. In addition, the challenger can choose any NHL game with any sort of Canada vs. USA connection for the belt to be up for grabs.

In this case it’s easy — an American team visiting a Canadian one — and it’s the team for which Wysh grew up rooting against the one for which I grew up rooting. If the Devils win, then the U.S. is the new North American hockey champion. If the Leafs win, Canada retains.

Other key matchups this week

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What I liked this weekend

Friday was a big day for college hockey. On paper, Boston University vs. Michigan State was already a heavyweight matchup — 34 NHL prospects with 20 NHL teams were represented in the game. The game was broadcast on ESPN2, which is terrific for a matchup so early in the college hockey season. This is the dawn of a new era of NCAA on the ice, with the rules surrounding CHL players changing, and the continued growth and interest in the college game.

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The Spartans led 2-0 through two periods, but BU fought back and the game went to overtime tied 3-3. BU’s Cole Eiserman (Islanders prospect) appeared to win it, but MSU’s Shane Vansaghi (Flyers) swept the puck away before it crossed the goal line. The Spartans brought it back the other way, and Matt Basgall (undrafted) scored off a feed from Ryker Lee (Predators).

Also, count me in as a fan of the NHL’s newest mascot, Tusky. I like Tusky’s overall look, and particularly his dark blue mohawk. I thought the introduction of breaking through blocks of foam ice was cute, and the name is easy for kids to say. I’m a massive fan of mascots — they are critical to game presentation and in-arena fun, to social content, and especially to helping kids and new hockey fans make core memories. I look forward to seeing what fun things the Mammoth have planned for Tusky.

Tusky is here, and he’s perfect! @TuskyNHL pic.twitter.com/APOr2NnYGG

— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) October 16, 2025

MVP candidates if the season ended today…

Vegas center Jack Eichel leads the league with 15 points. He had some support for the Hart among our ESPN hockey crew this preseason, and could remain a top candidate all season (particularly if the scoring keeps up).

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Jack Eichel nets goal for Golden Knights

Jack Eichel lights the lamp for Golden Knights

Speaking of lighting up the scoreboard, Ottawa Senators forward Shane Pinto has seven goals through six games, with all seven of them at even strength. The Senators will need to find other sources of scoring while Brady Tkachuk is out.

Given that goaltender Connor Hellebuyck won the Hart last season, we can’t forget the netminders this season either. You’d have to take a long look at New York Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin. Despite going 2-2-1, he boasts a .962 save percentage and is allowing only one goal per game on average. Scott Wedgewood might win out among goalies, however, as he’s started the season 5-0-1 with a .938 save percentage, saving 136 of 145 shots for the first-place Colorado Avalanche.

And hey, if the season ended today, I’d even toss Matthew Schaefer’s name in the mix based on all the ridiculous stats I highlighted earlier.

Hockey social media post of the week

One of my favorite people on social media is “Kickball Dad” — especially when the Miami Dolphins do something to annoy him, or he’s zipping around the backyard on his mower. He might also be the first person in recorded history to shoot hockey pucks on the beach in the Bahamas.

He’s also a massive Devils fan, and made a video going to the home opener:

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It’s been a long road to the NHL for young Rangers defenseman Matthew Robertson.

Robertson was selected back in 2019 with the 49th overall pick in the second round of the NHL Draft, and he spent his first four seasons stashed down in the AHL before receiving a call-up down the stretch last year.

With New York eliminated from the playoff race, he appeared in the final two games of the regular season, finishing with three shots on goal and a +3 rating.

After more changes to the defensive core this offseason, Robertson cracked the roster as the extra defenseman to start this season, but with injuries and sluggish play he’s quickly made his way into the lineup.

Thus far, the 24-year-old has taken advantage of the opportunity.

“I’ve waited a long time for this,” Robertson told Mollie Walker of the NY Post. “I came into camp not knowing what to expect and I’m just grateful for the opportunity. Trying to make the most of every opportunity I get and trying to get better each day.”

Robertson certainly has looked the part as he’s skated in the Blueshirts’ last four games.

He finally found his way onto the scorers’ sheet on Saturday night, firing a shot from the point past Montreal’s Sam Montembeault to give him his first career goal and the Rangers their first lead in the third period.

That made up for the first big mistake of his pro career, which occurred just a minute and a half into the opening period, as a turnover sent the Canadiens the other way for an odd-man rush and the game’s opening goal.

Mike Sullivan liked how he was able to shake it and bounceback later on.

“As a young player, sometimes that can affect a guy,” the head coach said. “What I loved about it is just his response — his ability to shake it off and just play. Watching him the rest of the night, he was competing and playing hard, it didn’t effect his confidence or swagger.”

If that confidence and swagger continue growing, perhaps Robertson can solidify himself as a mainstay in the lineup.

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Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma of India (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images) AB de Villiers has shared how special it is to still see Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma playing for India. The former South African captain, who has been Kohliâ€s long-time IPL teammate and close friend, spoke at the Launch of Test Twenty, a proposed fourth format of the game. He compared watching Kohli now to seeing Tiger Woods during his comeback years. Despite the uncertainty around their international careers, de Villiers said he is simply happy to watch them in action.“Iâ€m one of those guys who take what I can get,†de Villiers said at the event. “If Tiger Woods comes back and makes a few shots, Iâ€m just happy heâ€s playing. Same with these two. They know what they still want to achieve; the 2027 World Cup is probably their main target. I just wish them all the success and a fantastic end to their careers, whenever that may finish.â€

Massive crowd for Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma at Delhi airport as Team India leave for Australia

For former Australian opener Matthew Hayden, also speaking at the Launch of Test Twenty, seeing Kohli and Rohit on the field is reassuring. He understands that their time at the top cannot last forever, but he appreciates the value they bring both as players and mentors.“Having Rohit in the house, having Virat in the house, that is gold. They are not just players, they are mentors in the dugout,†Hayden said. “I hope it is not their last tour, but you cannot play forever. This is more than likely their last trip to Australia, but they will be focused on the 2027 World Cup and that is exactly where their attention should be. I was a little surprised that Rohit was relieved as captain after the Champions Trophy, but it makes sense. Shubman Gill is being groomed and it takes time to build a leader.â€Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma continue to impress with their fitness, skill, and determination. Still, there is a quiet understanding among fans, peers, and pundits that their time at the top may be coming to an end. If this turns out to be their last Australian summer, both are likely to make it memorable, putting runs on the board and adding one more chapter to their remarkable careers.

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Oct 12, 2025, 12:17 AM ET

NEW YORK — Matthew Schaefer won’t soon forget his first NHL goal. The 18-year-old defenseman and top overall pick in this year’s NHL Draft dove headfirst into the moment, literally.

Schaefer found a loose puck after a scramble in front of the net and lunged forward, poking it past Washington Capitals goalie Logan Thompson at 4:28 of the third period in the Islanders’ 4-2 loss Saturday night.

“It’s crazy, I love these fans,” Schaefer said of the reaction inside UBS Arena during New York’s home opener. “Getting your name chanted out there. It’s awesome, feels like home for sure. … We want to win for the fans and we want to be there every night for them. They come out every night for us.

“We wish we could have gotten the win for them and for the team in here. We are going to keep working, keep working toward that.”

The goal cut Washington’s lead to two, but the Islanders couldn’t rally while falling to 0-2 on the season.

Still, it was a milestone for the rookie, who made the team out of training camp just months after hearing his name called first in Los Angeles at the draft.

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“He kind of took the game over to be honest with you,” Islanders forward Bo Horvat said. “He was our best player tonight. He was moving, he was obviously contributing. He is just so effective out there. He is just getting more and more comfortable every single game. He is a special player, we are lucky to have him.”

Schaefer’s play has already earned the coaching staff’s full trust. After getting an assist for his first NHL point while logging 17:15 of ice time in the Islanders’ 4-3 season-opening loss at Pittsburgh on Thursday, he had a game-high 26:04 of ice time in this one. That was more than four minutes ahead of Mathew Barzal’s 21:28.

“I’m not balancing anything right now with the way he’s playing,” Islanders coach Patrick Roy said of Schaefer’s workload. “He forced me to play him — he forced us to play him — so we’re going to give it to him.”

Few players have entered the draft with less recent game experience. Schaefer played just 17 games for Erie of the Ontario Hockey League in 2024-25, missing time with mononucleosis and later a broken clavicle sustained while representing Canada at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship. He still managed 22 points (seven goals, 15 assists) and a plus-21 rating.

The Ontario native also captained Canada to gold medals at the 2024 Under-17 World Hockey Challenge and the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.

Now, just 18 and already on NHL ice, his first goal offered a glimpse of why the Islanders are looking for big things from the youngster for years to come.

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ELMONT, NY — After becoming the youngest defenseman in NHL history to record a point in his NHL debut on Thursday, New York Islanders No. 1 overall pick Matthew Schaefer made history again on Saturday night.

Islanders No. 1 Pick Matthew Schaefer Becomes Youngest Defenseman To Record Point In NHL Debut
PITTSBURGH, PA — During the New York Islanders†season opener on Thursday, 2025 first-overall pick Matthew Schaefer scored his first NHL point, marking an early milestone for the young defenseman.

At 4:28 of the third period, Schaefer came diving into the low slot like New York Giants running back Cam Skataboo, using one hand to jam the puck over Logan Thompson’s right pad to send UBS Arena into an absolute frenzy:

Schaefer became the youngest player, at 18 years and 36 days, to play over 25 minutes in a game, logging 26:04.

The record was previously held by Pittsburgh Penguins forward Sidney Crosby, who played 25:39 at 18 years and 118 days, per Stathead.com.

Not only did he lead the Islanders, but he played the most minutes of anyone else in the game.

Schaefer only played 17 games last season with the OHL’s Erie Otters due to mono and a broken clavicle. So, how does head coach Patrick Roy balance playing Schaefer big minutes for someone hasn’t played much hockey over the last year?

“Sorry, I don’t look at what happened last year. I’m focusing on what I see right now and what I see right now is a guy that’s capable of handling those minutes,” Roy said. “We’re going to be there for him. Whatever he needs, we’ll take care of him. I’m not balancing anything right now. He forced me to play him. We’re going to give it to him.”

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EAST MEADOW, NY — New York Islanders No. 1 overall pick Matthew Schaefer isn’t satisfied with his NHL debut performance.

Despite recording an assist and being on the ice for all of the Islanders’ three goals in 17:15 TOI, here’s what he wants to do better at when he plays in his second NHL game on Saturday night against Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals.

Islanders No. 1 Pick Matthew Schaefer Becomes Youngest Defenseman To Record Point In NHL Debut
PITTSBURGH, PA — During the New York Islanders†season opener on Thursday, 2025 first-overall pick Matthew Schaefer scored his first NHL point, marking an early milestone for the young defenseman.

“I want to end plays quicker in the D zone,” Schaefer said. “I think that’s a big one. Maybe get more shots through, you know, use my feet more on the blue line.

“I think that’s a big thing that will come over time with confidence. But you know, things like that, getting shots through, pucks to the net. I mean things like that. I think those are all things that I can work on.”

If we are being picky, Schaefer did struggle to get shots through in his first game, with just one on six attempts. Five of his shots were blocked.

The reason Schaefer was a No. 1 pick is because of how determined he is to improve each and every time his skates hit the ice.

So, don’t be shocked if he gets more shots through and skates even better on Saturday night.

Puck drop is at 7 PM ET on MSGSN.

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PITTSBURGH — Matthew Schaefer jumped onto the darkened ice at PPG Paints Arena and, along with New York Islanders teammate Maxim Shabanov, took the traditional solo lap every player makes before his NHL debut.

It’s the only time the 18-year-old Schaefer looked like a rookie all night during New York’s 4-3 loss to Pittsburgh.

Confident and poised from the opening faceoff, the top pick in the June draft wasted little time showcasing why the Islanders coveted him after the balls bounced their way during the draft lottery.

Schaefer needed all of 12 minutes to collect the first point of his career, making a deft pass from the half wall to Jonathan Drouin in the slot. Drouin’s knuckler fluttered by Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry to pull New York even.

“I thought it was a great first game for us,” Islanders rookie Matthew Schaefer said after collecting the first point of his career in his NHL debut. “I just wish we got the win.” Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images

“Our team is so easy to make plays with, everyone is in the right spot,” Schaefer said with a shrug. “I found [Drouin] there, and it was an easy pass to him and of course he puts it in the back of the net.”

Islanders coach Patrick Roy didn’t hesitate to go to Schaefer, who played more than seven minutes in the opening period alone. Schaefer finished with 17:15 of ice time in all, including some with the New York net empty late as the Islanders tried to tie it.

“I thought he was really good,” Roy said of Schaefer. “He was good at the end. Throwing pucks at the net. I thought that he seemed very comfortable, very confident out there. So I’m very pleased with him.”

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Schaefer, who had around 30 friends and family in attendance, admitted there were some jitters during his first couple of shifts, but he didn’t exactly genuflect in the direction of Penguins icons Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang. The club’s big three are entering their 20th season playing alongside each other, a run that began before Schaefer was born.

Although Schaefer isn’t entering the league with the same external expectations that followed Crosby two decades ago — when Crosby himself arrived in the league at 18 as the top pick in the draft — Schaefer understands how important his arrival and development are for a team that hasn’t won a Stanley Cup in more than 40 years.

Yes, it’s cool that he made the club out of training camp barely a month after turning 18. He’s not here to sell tickets and generate interest, but to help the Islanders take a step forward in the competitive Metropolitan Division sooner rather than later.

Near breathless as he talked after becoming the second-youngest NHL defenseman to make his debut in 70 years, Schaefer wasn’t as interested in trying to put the moment in perspective as he was regretting the result.

The Islanders controlled the game for extended stretches and threw 38 shots at Jarry. Save for a couple of costly breakdowns in front of their own net — which allowed Malkin and Crosby to work their magic — the Islanders played with speed and purpose, which they hope offers a blueprint for what’s to come, the new kid included.

“I thought we brought it tonight,” Schaefer said. “Wish we could have got the win. Hate losing. Now we know and we’re going to learn from it and focus on our next game. But I thought it was a great first game for us. I just wish we got the win.”

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CHICAGO – After the standing ovation from the raucous crowd at Wrigley Field on Thursday night, Matthew Boyd went right to the top step of the Cubs†dugout. The veteran lefty waited and watched Daniel Palenciaâ€s escape of the fifth inning, letting out a yell as the reliever induced a flyout off the bat of Brewers star Jackson Chourio.

This was vintage Boyd, focusing on a teammate when the spotlight was deservedly on him. Boyd earned attention for his performance in Game 4 of the National League Division Series, when the southpaw seized his shot at redemption and set the tone for the Cubs†6-0 win over the Brewers to send this series back to Milwaukee.

“He delivered a great one tonight,†Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “I know it was really important to him after Game 1, how he pitched tonight. He gave us exactly what we needed.â€

Boyd worked into the fifth inning, giving Counsell the ability to line up Chicagoâ€s relievers to finish off this gameâ€s 27-out puzzle. Ian Happ kept the Cubs†first-inning magic rolling with a three-run blast off ace Freddy Peralta, and the North Siders were on their way to evening up this best-of-five NLDS at two games apiece.

“The Cubs earned it,†Brewers manager Pat Murphy said. “They had their backs against the wall, and they played great these last two games.â€

There have been 35 previous instances in which a team lost Games 1-2 on the road in a Division Series with the current 2-2-1 format. Only five forced a winner-take-all Game 5, and three went on to complete the comeback. The Cubs have won three elimination games in a row once before in club history – in the 2016 World Series triumph over Cleveland.

“These couldâ€ve been the last two games of the year,†Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong said. “We werenâ€t going to win the series yesterday. We werenâ€t going to win the series today. But just to give ourselves a fighting chance is all we were really trying to do.

“You kind of saw some of the better baseball weâ€ve played in this postseason today. Call it what you want, but if you see more of that, weâ€re going to be in really good shape.â€

That includes having Boyd pitching the way he did on Thursday.

“We loved being able to send him out there again,†Crow-Armstrong said, “and set the tone for the rest of the staff.â€

Boydâ€s 4 2/3 scoreless innings for the Cubs marked the longest start of this postseason for the North Siders. It joined a four-inning scoreless effort in Game 3 of the NL Wild Card Series by Jameson Taillon. Prior to those outings, there had been only three scoreless starts in Cubs playoff history when facing elimination: Jake Arrieta in the 2015 NL Wild Card Game, Lon Warneke in Game 5 of the 1935 World Series and Hippo Vaughn in Game 5 of the 1918 World Series.

For Boyd, this was his chance to turn the page on a disastrous Game 1 showing against the Brewers.

In that outing, the 34-year-old Boyd took the ball on just three days†rest for the Cubs, who are currently piecing a rotation together without NL Rookie of the Year contender Cade Horton (right rib fracture). Milwaukee jumped on Boyd in the first inning on Saturday, churning out three straight doubles in the first inning en route to a six-run frame that saw him exit after 30 pitches.

After the Cubs pulled within one game of the Brewers on Wednesday night, Boyd was at his locker, expressing that he was thinking about taking the ball again immediately after that last outing. He was an All-Star this season, led the Cubs in innings and had more than earned the trust of his teammates with their playoff hopes in the balance.

“His work is so thorough,†Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner said. “And his conviction in everything he does, and his attitude, is just so relentlessly confident and positive. Those things donâ€t guarantee you a result, but they give you a great chance to have the best version of yourself show up, even when things havenâ€t gone right.â€

Boyd also knew he would be in the comforts of Wrigley Field, where he went 12-1 with a 2.51 ERA in 15 starts this season. And in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Padres, Boyd thrived again in the heightened atmosphere at home, working 4 1/3 strong frames en route to a 3-1 win.

Boyd said the atmosphere helped him feel comfortable before he even threw a pitch.

“Jogging out to warm up, and the bleachers are just going crazy for you,†Boyd said. “To look up and the moon is already up, it’s dark out there, and the fans have your back 40 minutes to game time, there’s nothing like that. It’s really special. They create such an environment here.

“It makes it a great place to play when you’re a Cubbie, and it’s a hard place to play when you’re not.â€

In the first inning, Boyd issued a leadoff walk to Christian Yelich – creating a nervous buzz in the ballpark given the issues in the opening frame all series. In fact, the 21 runs scored in the first inning for both teams combined is the most in the first inning of a playoff series in MLB history.

Boyd settled down and settled in, striking out Chourio, generating a groundout off the bat of William Contreras and getting Brice Turang to fly out to left. From there, the lefty was off and running, leaning on his four-seamer and curveball the most, while putting his signature changeup more in his back pocket for this showing.

“The first inning was just so important,†Counsell said. “Yelich draws a walk, and then [Boyd] makes pitches. But just getting through the first inning was, to me, the key for Matthew’s outing.â€

Happâ€s home run in the first off Peralta – the second shot in the series against the righty for the Cubs left fielder – gave Boyd the wiggle room needed to command the zone. The lefty had six strikeouts, ending with Yelich swinging through an inside sinker for the second out in the fifth with runners on second and third.

Boyd let out a subtle fist pump after that strikeout, and Counsell was soon on his way to the mound to give the ball to Palencia. The hard-throwing righty navigated out of the fifth and the bullpen continued its strong postseason run the rest of the way. An RBI single from Matt Shaw in the sixth and solo blasts by Kyle Tucker and Michael Busch in the seventh and eighth provided important insurance.

Palencia smiled when told about Boydâ€s reaction to his fifth-inning escape.

“Heâ€s been awesome with me. Heâ€s always giving me advice,†Palencia said. “Right now, it feels good being there for him. Like I told him, ‘Iâ€ve got your back.â€â€

And after the win, Counsell had a message for his ballclub.

“It was, ‘Pack your bags,â€â€ said the manager. “That’s all we wanted to do today was pack our bags. We get to pack our bags.â€

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The No. 4 Chicago Cubs evened the series with a 6-0 home win over the No. 1 Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Division Series, forcing a decisive Game 5 after falling behind 0-2.

The winner of the Cubs and Brewers series will advance to face the Los Angeles Dodgers, who defeated the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday 3-1, in the National League Championship Series.

Cubs ace Matthew Boyd had a standout performance, pitching 4 2/3 innings with six strikeouts while allowing just two hits and no earned runs.

Ian Happ had a big Game 4, with three RBI while carrying a .115 batting average. Kyle Tucker went 2-for-3 with an RBI, Matt Shaw added an RBI on 2-for-3 hitting and Michael Busch launched a home run on his only at-bat of the night.

Boyd and the Cubs thrilled MLB fans by forcing a Game 5 against the top team in the National League.

The Cubs started strong in the bottom of the first, as Happ launched a two-run home run, driving in Nico Hoerner and Tucker to take a quick 3-0 lead over Milwaukee.

In the bottom of the sixth, Shaw singled in Carson Kelly for another RBI, extending Chicago’s lead to 4-0.

Tucker crossed home plate for the second time of the night with a 414-foot solo home run in the bottom of the seventh, pushing the Cubs’ lead to 5-0.

Adding insult to injury, Busch launched his fourth postseason home run, a 401-foot solo shot in the eighth inning, extending the Cubs’ lead to 6-0.

The series will return to Milwaukee for Game 5 on Saturday, with first pitch set for 8:08 p.m. ET.

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  Jesse RogersOct 3, 2025, 08:31 PM ET

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  Jesse joined ESPN Chicago in September 2009 and covers MLB for ESPN.com.

MILWAUKEE — The Chicago Cubs will turn to lefty Matthew Boyd for Game 1 of their National League Division Series showdown with the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday just four days after he started Game 1 of their wild-card series against the San Diego Padres, the team announced late Friday.

Boyd, 34, threw 58 pitches in 4â…“ innings in Tuesday’s 3-1 win. He was also up in the bullpen in the ninth inning of Game 3 against the Padres on Thursday but never entered, as righty Andrew Kittredge was able to close out the game and series. For his career, Boyd is 1-2 with a 4.70 ERA in three starts on three days’ rest.

Boyd will be opposed by Brewers ace Freddy Peralta as the two division and geographical rivals face off for the right to advance to the National League Championship Series.

“The proximity of the cities makes it fun, no doubt about it,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Friday. “And the proximity makes rivalries, too, and teams being good makes rivalries.”

So does a manager who used to play and manage one team before leaving for greener pastures.

Counsell is a Wisconsin native who left the Brewers in 2023 after nine seasons as their manager. He handed the reins off to Pat Murphy, whom Counsell hired as his bench coach in 2015.

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“I guess I did spend a lot of time in here, yeah, that’s right,” Counsell said as he sat in the Brewers’ press room Friday. “I think we’re over that part [leaving Milwaukee]. We’re getting ready for a playoff series and trying to advance to have a chance to play in the World Series.”

Counsell signed a five-year, $40 million contract to manage the Cubs before 2024, allowing Murphy to take over in Milwaukee. The Brewers have won two straight division titles under his guidance while the Cubs floundered in Year 1 under Counsell before making it to the postseason as the top wild-card team this year.

Murphy was asked about facing Counsell after working with him for so many years. Murphy also managed Counsell when Counsell played collegiate baseball at Notre Dame in the early 1990s.

“You can’t take away the relationship,” Murphy said. “We could even fight out there, it doesn’t matter. We’re going to still be friends. We’ve been through too much together. I love his family, and he’s great to my kids. It is what it is.”

Counsell has been routinely booed by Brewers fans whenever the Cubs have played in Milwaukee over the past two years. Saturday should be no different.

“After all those years here and when you come back, that’s what you get,” Peralta said. “But it is what it is. It’s part of the game. It’s the feeling that the fans are having. Probably tomorrow (Saturday) it’s going to happen again, probably louder than normal.”

Counsell has waved off the boos in the past, choosing to focus on the matchup. The Cubs won the season series 7-6 but lost the division to the Brewers by five games. Last year, Milwaukee won the NL Central by 10.

“It’s two passionate fan bases that are pretty familiar with each other over the years, and we’ve had some big games against each other,” Brewers star Christian Yelich said. “Surprising that we haven’t really met in the postseason before, but I kind of had a feeling this would shape up this way at some point this season.

“They’re a great team. We’re a good team. We played each other really close throughout the season. I’d anticipate a lot of the same here in the postseason, and it will be a fun week for sure. It’ll be a great atmosphere and two fun environments, when we’re here and when we’re at Wrigley.”

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