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33 articles
CHC • Pitcher • #48
4 months ago
Palencia entered the contest in the fifth inning after starter Matthew Boyd and proceeded to mow down the heart of San Diego’s lineup, sitting 99-101 mph with his fastball and dotting the corners with his slider in just his third game back from the injured list. The hard-throwing 25-year-old righty got the final out of the fifth to prevent any further damage against Boyd before coming back out to spin a flawless sixth. His return provides a significant lift to Chicago’s high-leverage mix.
CHC • Pitcher • #48
4 months ago
Palencia’s return provides a massive lift to Chicago’s high-leverage mix heading into the postseason after missing just over two weeks with a shoulder strain. It’s fair to wonder if veteran Brad Keller will continue to get save opportunities since he’s done a phenomenal job filling in during Palencia’s absence.
CHC • Pitcher • #48
4 months ago
Brad Keller has filled in admirably as Chicago’s primary stopper for the past two weeks with Palencia on the shelf recovering from a shoulder strain. The 25-year-old righty figures to make it back to the Cubs’ late-inning mix before the regular season wraps up next weekend, but he won’t make much of an impact for fantasy managers with only a handful of games left on the slate.
CHC • Pitcher • #48
4 months ago
There’s no word yet on the severity of the strain, but it could sideline Palencia for the rest of the regular season. He suffered the injury during Sunday’s meltdown against the Nationals, when he was tagged for five runs in a blown save. His absence leaves Chicago’s ninth-inning role unsettled, though Andrew Kittredge is one of the favorites to step in given his prior closing experience. The other logical candidate is veteran Brad Keller, who has made the leap from journeyman swingman to dominant high-leverage arm this season.
CHC • Pitcher • #48
4 months ago
The Cubs’ closer will head for further evaluation to determine the severity of the injury, but it sounds like a trip to the injured list could be in the cards here. He came on with the Cubs leading 3-1 in the ninth inning on Sunday and surrendered five runs on four hits and a walk — including a pair of home runs — without recording an out before he was mercifully lifted. Brad Keller has been terrific in a setup role and could be the next man up in the ninth inning, though Porter Hodge may be in the mix as well for save chances if Palencia misses any time.
Source: Bruce Levine
CHC • Pitcher • #48
5 months ago
The 25-year-old hurler came on with a one-run lead to protect and made things interesting by allowing a one-out single to Marcell Ozuna. Pinch-runner Luke Williams then swiped second base and advanced to third on a two-out infield single off the bat of Ha-Seong Kim. Not to worry though, as Palencia rallied to get Eli White on a fly ball to center to end the ballgame. He now holds a 2.16 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and a 57/15 K/BB ratio across 50 innings on the season while converting 22 of his first 24 save chances.
CHC • Pitcher • #48
5 months ago
Palencia was called upon to pitch the bottom of the ninth inning with the score knotted at five runs apiece. He gave up a leadoff single to Ryan Ritter on the first pitch that he threw and three pitches later allowed a walk-off RBI triple to Mickey Moniak. He’s still secure in his ninth inning role for the Cubs and sports a terrific 2.20 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and a 56/15 K/BB ratio over 49 innings on the season, but this was clearly not his best work.
CHC • Pitcher • #48
5 months ago
It’s yet another impressive outing from Palencia, who has been one of the best out-of-nowhere stories of the 2025 campaign. He now has 21 saves, and he lowered his ERA to an outstanding 2.02 while acquiring the latest one. He’ll occasionally allow some hard contact, but he’s one of the toughest pitchers to square up and there’s plenty of missed bats as well. Long story short, Palencia is deserving of these results, and should remain a strong option for the foreseeable future.
CHC • Pitcher • #48
5 months ago
Palencia’s save was his 20th of the season. He entered the ninth inning with a one-run lead and allowed two baserunners before striking out Christian Moore and Bryce Teodosio to end the game. Palencia lowered his ERA to 1.89 in the process. He’s been one of the better mid-season acquisitions of the fantasy season.
CHC • Pitcher • #48
5 months ago
Palencia was shaky Wednesday in his last save chance, but the 25-year-old was excellent in this one. He threw 7-of-10 pitches for strikes, and lowered his ERA to 1.93 with 19 saves. Palencia has been quite the find for fantasy managers, and a lifesaver for the Cubs’ bullpen.
CHC • Pitcher • #48
5 months ago
Palencia gave up two singles and two walks before closing out what had been a two-run game, Stellar for most of the year, he’s been making things more interesting lately, surrendering single runs in four of his last six appearances. Still, it’s resulted in just one blown save so far, and he got the win in that game. Since he’s worked the last two days, Palencia will be unavailable Thursday, perhaps leading to a save chance for Andrew Kittredge.
CHC • Pitcher • #48
5 months ago
Palencia was tasked with protecting a two-run lead in the front-end of Tuesday’s twin bill and required just 17 pitches (11 strikes) to spin a flawless frame. The 25-year-old righty has converted 17 of 19 save opportunities this season to accompany a microscopic 1.81 ERA and 47/12 K/BB ratio across 44 2/3 innings (43 appearances).
CHC • Pitcher • #48
5 months ago
Palencia completely and utterly blew the Blue Jays away here. He threw six of his nine total pitches harder than 101 mph and has asserted himself as one of the most dominant closers in the league with 1.69 ERA and 0.91 WHIP across 42 2/3 innings pitched.
CHC • Pitcher • #48
6 months ago
Palencia entered the ninth inning with a one-run lead. The 25-year-old right-hander allowed an RBI single with two outs and was charged with his second blown save of the season. Palencia then picked up his first win of the season when the Cubs won in the bottom of the inning. His ERA is up to 1.55 on the year now.
CHC • Pitcher • #48
6 months ago
The Cubs were only able to scratch out one run in the ballgame against Trevor Rogers, but Palencia made sure that lead stood up when it got to him in the ninth. He did allow a two-out double to Adley Rutschman to put the tying run in scoring position before getting Tyler O’Neill to fly out to left to end the ballgame. Palencia has been a hero in the Cubs’ bullpen — and for fantasy managers — this season, posting a 1.36 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and a 42/11 K/BB ratio over 39 2/3 innings while converting 15 of his first 16 save chances.
CHC • Pitcher • #48
6 months ago
Luis Robert Jr. was the only batter to reach against him in a one-run game, doing so on a HBP. If the trade deadline passes without the Cubs acquiring a closer, Palencia ought to be viewed as a top-10 RP the rest of the way. Still, that’s up in the air right now. They’re certainly going to add some late-game reliever, and while it’s not the ninth inning they need to address, they’d probably bump Palencia back to the eighth if they add a veteran closer.
CHC • Pitcher • #48
6 months ago
The 25-year-old right-hander allowed a leadoff single to Marcelo Mayer to begin the ninth inning, but he was quickly erased on a double play ball. He then got Abraham Toro on a fly ball to right to end it. Palencia has been outstanding for the Cubs this season, compiling a 1.53 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and a 39/11 K/BB ratio across 35 1/3 innings while converting 13 of his first 14 save opportunities.
CHC • Pitcher • #48
6 months ago
The 25-year-old struck out one and didn’t allow a baserunner while securing his 12th save of the season. He’s been a really great story and a tremendous waiver add in fantasy leagues, but we would be shocked if the Cubs didn’t add a veteran closer at the trade deadline in hopes of cementing their status as World Series contenders.
CHC • Pitcher • #48
6 months ago
Palencia was called on after Brad Keller gave up a two-run homer and then hit a batter in what had been a 5-0 game. He struck out Jazz Chisholm Jr. and got Trent Grisham to ground out to end the game.
CHC • Pitcher • #48
7 months ago
Things quickly got dicey for Palencia after Matt Shaw’s error put Angel Martínez on base to begin the ninth inning. Then, a walk and a wild pitch put the tying runs in scoring position before an all fastball, seven-pitch battle between him and Kyle Manzardo concluded with a deep fly ball to end the game. Since taking over closer duties in late May, Palencia has converted 10 consecutive save opportunities.
CHC • Pitcher • #48
7 months ago
The 25-year-old hurler made it look easy in this one, getting Carlos Santana on a fly ball to right before striking out Lane Thomas and Nolan Jones in succession on swinging third strikes to end the ballgame. Palencia has been a major weapon out of the Cubs’ bullpen this season, registering a 1.80 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and a 35/10 K/BB ratio over 30 innings while converting nine of his first 10 save chances.
CHC • Pitcher • #48
7 months ago
Things got a little heated afterwards, as Palencia was feeling very celebratory and former Cub Willson Contreras, who was on base because of a HBP, took some issue with the proceedings. Palencia notched his eighth save in nine tries. Until he gives the Cubs reason to make a change, he should continue to close over Porter Hodge and company.
CHC • Pitcher • #48
7 months ago
The 25-year-old hurler struck out Joey Ortiz and got Sal Frelick on a pop out to third base to open the ninth inning. He then allowed a two-out double to Jackson Chourio which brought the tying run to the plate, but Palencia rebounded to get William Contreras on a fly ball to center field to end it. He has done a terrific job for the Cubs this season, compiling a 1.67 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and a 29/10 K/BB ratio over 27 innings while converting seven of his first eight save chances. He has started to separate himself in the Cubs’ bullpen and should hang onto the closer’s gig even when Porter Hodge returns from the injured list, making him a viable target in any shallow mixed leagues where he may still be available.
CHC • Pitcher • #48
7 months ago
Palencia struck out two, and the lone batter to reach did so on a soft infield single. His ERA is sitting at 1.73. This was his third straight day on the mound, so he’ll be down Sunday, settling up a save chance for Brad Keller or maybe Ryan Pressly.
CHC • Pitcher • #48
7 months ago
Palencia pitched a scoreless bottom of the 10th after the Cubs failed to score in the top of the inning, and the Cubs left him in after they took a one-run lead in the 11th. Things went badly after that. J.T. Realmuto immediately tied the game with a leadoff single, and afterwards, the Phillies put down two sac bunt attempts, both of which turned into infield singles. With the bases loaded and no one out, the Cubs went to a five-man infield, and Brandon Marsh launched one to the wall in left-center that probably would have been a double under normal circumstances. Tonight, it was a walkoff single. Palencia didn’t really do anything to hurt his standing, and he’s still the clear favorite for saves in Chicago. He also threw just 14 pitches tonight, so he might be available on Tuesday.
CHC • Pitcher • #48
8 months ago
Since blowing his first save chance two weeks ago, Palencia is 5-for-5 with one hit and no walks allowed over five scoreless innings. If he keeps this up, he should keep closing after Porter Hodge returns.
CHC • Pitcher • #48
8 months ago
With four saves in four straight appearances, Palencia has officially cemented himself as the Cubs’ closer. He blew away the Rockies and got his fastball up to 101.5 mph in what was another dominant outing. Through those four appearances, he’s allowed just one total base runner and struck out five hitters.
CHC • Pitcher • #48
8 months ago
Porter Hodge isn’t going to be back as quickly as hoped and it’s not like he was pitching very well before getting hurt anyway, so Palencia might have a chance here to run away with the closer’s role. He did blow his first save opportunity last Monday, but he’s been terrific overall in posting a 1.93 ERA in 18 2/3 innings.
CHC • Pitcher • #48
8 months ago
Palencia did allow one, but he also struck out one en route to his second save of the season. Drew Pomeranz threw a scoreless seventh inning, and Brad Keller threw a scoreless eighth inning, but he did allow two hits. Palencia has a solid 2.04 ERA on the season and has been good for the Cubs, but Ryan Pressly has pitched better after his blow-up outing a few weeks ago, and we don’t know how long Porter Hodge will be out for, so it’s hard to say how much longer Palencia will be closing games in Chicago. He does seem to be the top option right now.
CHC • Pitcher • #48
8 months ago
Palencia getting the call over Porter Hodge was a big surprise until it was announced after the game that Hodge was out with an oblique strain. Palencia, who has been averaging 99 mph with his fastball this year but still has control issues, obviously didn’t advance his cause to take over as the Cubs’ closer in going after what would have been his second career save. The team could revert to Ryan Pressly, who has two holds in two days after pitching a scoreless seventh tonight.