Daniel

Palencia

At least the Cubs are learning now that Webb probably shouldn’t be one of their top couple of relievers in October. He’s taken four blown saves since picking up his last save a month ago. Things are definitely looking up for Daniel Palencia, who retired the only batter he faced tonight, but it might be too late to matter much for fantasy purposes.

Palencia is potentially getting closer to returning to the mix for saves. He’s allowed only an unearned run over four innings in his last four appearances. Today’s appearance saw him strike out one and get a pair of soft groundouts.

Jacob Webb has opened the door for Palencia to work his way back into the mix for saves, and tonight would have been a step forward for Palencia if not for a bad Pedro Ramírez error that put Brice Turang on third after a mere roller to second base. William Contreras then singled in Turang with two outs. Palencia has had a fair amount of bad luck in allowing eight runs in seven appearances since coming off the injured list, but that probably counts for less in September than it might have in April and May.

Jackson Chourio delivered the game-tying homer in the ninth after Christian Yelich singled as a pinch-hitter. It was Webb’s first save chance since he left last Wednesday’s game after getting hit in the forearm by a comebacker. He’s now blown three straight save chances since his last conversion on Aug. 14. The door is wide open for Daniel Palencia to win back the ninth, but since his results have been poor since coming off the IL, the Cubs might choose to mix and match for now. Ryan Zeferjahn would also presumably be in the mix for saves.

Webb was struck on the right forearm by a 102.5 mph comebacker from Christian Yelich in the ninth inning. The 33-year-old has been an unexpected revelation this season, emerging as Chicago’s primary closer. He’ll likely head for X-rays to determine whether he suffered any fractures. There should be an update on his status before Thursday’s series finale. It would most likely be Daniel Palencia taking over if Webb misses any time.

Palencia took over with a 3-1 lead and two on in the sixth and quickly gave up a run-scoring balk. His bad break came afterwards, as Seiya Suzuki, worried about the wall in Wrigley Field, alligator-armed a fly down the right field line to give Andrew Vaughn a double. That wasn’t at all Palencia’s fault, but the two-run homer that Christian Yelich hit afterwards was. Palencia has surrendered six runs in 3 1/3 innings over four appearances since coming off the IL. The good news is that his stuff is fine, and he could still very much be a key piece in a postseason run for the Cubs. However, since it doesn’t look like he’ll resume closing anytime soon, he’s probably not worth rostering in mixed leagues right now.

Unwanted outfielder TJ Friedl homered off him. Palencia struck out two in a perfect inning a week ago in his return from the IL, but he’s given up four runs in two appearances since. Jacob Webb has opened the door for Palencia to resume pitching in the ninth, but Palencia can’t seem to find it at the moment.

Back from a flexor strain, Palencia averaged 98.9 mph with his six fastballs, leaving him just a tad shy of his 99.4-mph average for the season. It was a nice first outing back, but with Jacob Webb excelling, he’ll probably have to wait a bit for chances to close.

At long last, the Cubs’ closer has returned. Palencia has been sidelined since mid-June due to an elbow issue. He returns to a 2.70 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and a 19/6 K/BB ratio over 16 2/3 innings through his first 19 appearances on the season. He should jump right back in as the Cubs’ primary closer.

Palencia has been out since mid-June. He had a 2.70 ERA in 16 2/3 innings, striking out 19, before being sent to the injured list. Jacob Webb will likely remain in the mix for saves given how strong Webb has been this year, but it wouldn’t be surprising if Palencia eventually got the job back after he proves himself healthy and in good form.