Jacob Webb has learned something about baseball: expect the unexpected. That is what the Cubs' closer said Saturday, and his season has been exactly that — an unexpected rise from a bullpen piece to the team's go-to reliever.

Webb signed a one-year, $1.5 million free-agent deal with the Cubs last offseason after posting a 3.22 ERA with three teams over the previous three years. He was brought in to be part of the puzzle, not the final piece, yet he has become the linchpin. Webb carried a 24-appearance scoreless streak into Saturday's game, and after it he remains perfect in his recent save opportunities. According to NBC Sports, he hasn't allowed an earned run since June 20 and is perfect in five save chances since July, needing just 13 pitches in his latest appearance. That stretch includes a ninth-inning blanking of the Nationals, which earned his eighth save of the 2026 campaign — a career total of six before this season.

While Webb has become the headliner, the bullpen's success runs deeper. Manager Craig Counsell noted that Daniel Palencia, the holdover closer from 2025, has completed a minor league rehab assignment but won't be activated before Tuesday's game against the White Sox. Palencia has been out since mid-June with elbow inflammation, but the Chicago Sun-Times says he returned from a two-month absence. The Sun-Times also reports that Phil Maton has been bothered by a knee injury, Hunter Harvey has thrown only four innings since a triceps injury in mid-April, and Hoby Milner has missed nearly two months recovering from an appendectomy.

Despite those setbacks, the unit has drummed up a 3.83 ERA, and the Cubs rank in the top 10 bullpens in the game. Webb has a 2.21 ERA, while Ryan Rolison and Trent Thornton have held things down. Thornton has a 2.52 ERA, Rolison 2.86.

The confidence extends beyond Webb. Lefty Caleb Thielbar said, "You just never know when your time's going to be up," reflecting the mentality that has carried them. Webb echoed that: "It's pretty cool closing for the Cubs right now." The bullpen's mindset seems to be as important as their numbers.

But there have been moments of doubt. The Cubs blew two runs in a loss to the Mariners, according to the same outlet, and it was Webb who gave up the lead. He retired the side, as NBC Sports reports he wiggled out of an eighth-inning jam and blanked the Nationals in the ninth. While a veteran closer might still be added by the deadline to battle for the role, for now Webb is the clear favorite for saves in Chicago.

The Closer's Role — A Fluid Race

The job of closing is of Chicago is not set in stone. NBC Sports notes that Webb has saved five games with a 0.72 WHIP in his last 15 outings, and he's been perfect in five save opportunities since July. But Palencia could eventually reclaim the role if he serves in good form, leaving Webb in a mix. The Cubs might also acquire a veteran reliever before the trade deadline, which would reshape the division.

The Sun-Times adds that several starters—Edward Cabrera, Javier Assad, Colin Rea, and David Peterson—could be bullpen options for the postseason. As the Cubs sit with the fifth-best record in the sport, the bullpen looks increasingly ready for the big time.

A Mentality of Belief

The pitchers themselves believe their outcomes. Webb credited the organization for opportunities, saying, "It's a great organization, they've done nothing but given me the chance." His co-workers also see the same. Thielbar's comment about the time was in the same spirit.

It's been an unusual year for these arms from being re-made in the front office, and the added pieces have not always delivered. A few have been hurt, some others have taken unexpected roles. But the group has put together one of the better bullpens in the game.

"It's pretty cool closing for the Cubs right now" is Webb's take as the team moves toward the stretch run.

Outlook forward

With the season's final stretch. the Cubs' reliance on Webb and close unit will be tested in potential and in October. The numbers are strong, but the bullpen continues to deflect the expectations.

As unbecoming as the year get, Webb's quote about expecting the unexpected fits Chicago's situation. The pen compiled its ERA with a staff and delivered success. Now, the Cubs are closing out games with Webb, who remains the favorite even if Palencia returns.