Palencia closed the game on Wednesday against Toronto, coming in for a clean ninth and fanning one batter on the way to his 16th save of the season.
The 25-year-old right-hander bounced back after allowing a run in each of his previous two outings, securing the save to reinforce his grip on Chicago’s ninth-inning duties. With the Cubs opting not to add elite bullpen pieces ahead of the trade deadline, Palencia appears to have a clear path to the closer role for the remainder of the season.
Palencia’s season line stands out: a 1.69 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and a 46:11 K:BB over 42.2 innings. Those numbers underline why the team has confidence in him as the man to close games down the stretch.
For fantasy managers and Cubs fans alike, Palencia’s continued performance could translate into consistent late-inning opportunities. If he maintains this form, Chicago’s bullpen stability should improve, reducing late-game risk and boosting the club’s chances in tight games.
Summary: Palencia delivered a strong ninth inning for his 16th save as the Cubs maintain faith in him as the closer candidate for the rest of the season, supported by superb ratios and a healthy strikeout total.
A hopeful takeaway: Palencia’s track record this season suggests he can sustain elite closer-level value as Chicago looks to finish the year strong.