Doubleheader doesn't alter Counsell's philosophy

CINCINNATI -- Craig Counsell marked another managerial first on Saturday when he skippered the Brewers in their first doubleheader of the season.

The exercise offered a bit more insight into Counsell's philosophy on the job: Win today, worry about tomorrow, tomorrow. At least when it comes to managing a bullpen through a long day of baseball.

"We've talked about it already," Counsell said Saturday morning, of devising a general plan for bullpen usage. "I think it's important you do that. There's a good chance everybody pitches on a day like today, so you map it out, for sure, and make sure you're prepared for it."

At the same time, Counsell said, "I've always taken the attitude that you win the game in front of you. You take care of the next game, the next game. You don't know what's going to happen in the next game or the next day. … You'll have an option in the next game, and it's OK if your options are limited.

"I feel like, you go for the win if you can get the win."

Counsell has emphasized winning even as the Brewers embark on an organizational rebuild, trading away six members of the 25-man roster between July 23 (third baseman Aramis Ramirez) and Aug. 21. (lefty reliever Neal Cotts), with Carlos Gomez, Mike Fiers, Gerardo Parra and Jonathan Broxton departing in the meantime.

At some positions, Counsell and the Brewers have gone with youth, including center field, where Domingo Santana, a corner outfielder, has been holding his own defensively. The same was true at third base in the wake of the Ramirez trade, but Hernan Perez's offensive shortcomings led to a change, and the more veteran Elian Herrera has been playing regularly of late. And the Brewers have resisted recalling 22-year-old infielder Luis Sardinas, because his results at Triple-A have not warranted it.