MILWAUKEE — Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell appreciates everything that comes with a great rivalry.

Between his six seasons in a Milwaukee Brewers uniform and then nine years managing the team and now in his second season on the North Side, Counsell has been part of both sides of an intense rivalry that will go to new level this weekend in the National League Division Series. The Cubs and Brewers have never met in the postseason — until now.

The regular-season matchups have provided plenty of fireworks and crowd energy over the years. That is expected to go to another level Saturday for Game 1 at American Family Field. Left-hander Matthew Boyd gets the ball on short rest for the Cubs, and the Brewers start right-hander Freddy Peralta.

“These are two cities that are close together, v

See Full Page