It's been a whirlwind for the Cubs this season, but one thing is becoming increasingly clear: Daniel Palencia might just be the closer they've been searching for. After an April showdown with the Diamondbacks, where the bullpen endured its bouts of uncertainty, an impressive turnaround has emerged.
Boasting the lowest ERA in MLB at 2.59, the bullpen is finally becoming a solid foundation for the team. While there have been hiccups early on due to undefined roles, the unit's cohesion is a reassuring sight.
However, even with a fortified bullpen, the Cubs have long faced the challenge of locking down the closer position. Enter Daniel Palencia, a 25-year-old reliever who seems destined to cap this chapter. During the Cubs' 2-0 victory over the Reds on Saturday, Palencia secured his fifth consecutive save, closing out with precision and poise.
Not long ago, though, it wasn't all smooth sailing for Palencia. After blowing his first save opportunity and taking the loss against the Marlins on May 19, many wondered if the young pitcher could shoulder the closer’s mantle. Yet, backed by a supportive call from manager Craig Counsell, Palencia transformed adversity into triumph, stepping up impressively in light of Porter Hodge’s injury and Ryan Pressly’s struggles.
During this five-game save streak, Palencia has been an absolute force, tallying six strikeouts with only a single walk and a lone hit. His performance has been nothing short of electric, with a season ERA of 1.74 over 20.2 innings. Remarkably, the two runs he conceded to the Marlins are the only blemishes on his record over his last 15 appearances.
What’s more impressive is Palencia's rise from the shadows. Not even on the Opening Day roster, he was called up in mid-April amidst a slew of Chicago's roster adjustments. For those who've followed his journey since 2022, this level of play was always a tantalizing possibility, even though he entered 2025 with just 43 big-league innings to his name.
Despite a host of challenges, from injuries to the need for growth as a pitcher, Palencia has emerged strong. Perhaps bolstered by some fresh voices within the Cubs' organization, he's ironing out his game and addressing the pressing bullpen conundrum as the team navigates their competitive streak.
Cubs fans now have a new name to chant at the ninth inning's start. Daniel Palencia is, without a doubt, stepping into the role that seemed so elusive for Chicago – the shutdown closer they’ve been yearning for.
