The Rundown Lite: Palencia Seizing Closer Role, Woodford Gone, Kershaw Nearing 3K, Strong Beard Game
It’s Wednesday and the Cubs are riding the wave of a series-opening win that saw them mix small-ball with power. They also managed to score three runs despite being thrown out at home and picked off twice at first base in the same inning. On the other hand, they only scored three runs despite three straight hits and then two walks in the 2nd inning.
According to Elias, it was the first time since August 30, 1991 that a team made three outs despite every batter reaching safely. It was an absolute TOOTBLAN-fest, with Carson Kelly failing to score on a passed ball (which technically wasn’t scored as such since he was out) and both Nico Hoerner and Matt Shaw being picked off by a right-handed pitcher.
Had the result been different, that inning would have gone down in infamy.
It helped that Matt Boyd was giving up two or fewer runs for the 13th time in 17 starts. He’s on pace for the best season of his career, and it couldn’t have come at a better time with Justin Steele gone for the year. That long-gestating breakout has somewhat overshadowed the emergence of a big arm at the back end of the bullpen.
Palencia on fire
Daniel Palencia wasn’t the Cubs’ first choice to close ballgames, nor was he the second choice. He might not even have been the third, but he’s taken off since being handed the reins in late May following Ryan Pressly‘s removal from the role and Porter Hodge‘s injury. Even with those two pitchers back, it’ll take a lot to wrest control of the 9th from Palencia’s grip.
Since closing his first game on May 21, the 25-year-old righty is tied for third in MLB with nine saves. That’s only two shy of the rest of his teammates combined this season, and I’ll give you a dollar if you can name the four pitchers with one save apiece. Without looking, of course.
Palencia’s fastball has been a hallmark, and it was on display as he threw six of his 10 pitches on Tuesday at 100.6 mph or harder. Center fielder Lane Thomas stood no chance against three straight heaters at greater than 101 mph, then Nolan Jones was baffled by a wicked slider following three triple-digit fastballs.
The combination of velocity, control (previously a big weakness), and swagger has Palencia looking the part of a lock-down closer. Jed Hoyer may look to add another high-leverage reliever at the deadline, giving the Cubs a lethal back end of the bullpen.
Woodford no longer reserved
Raise your hand if you even knew righty Jake Woodford was in the organization. Yeah, that’s not many hands. MLB Trade Rumors reported that the 28-year-old has opted out of his minor league deal with the Cubs following a start in which he threw 97 pitches over six innings. He wasn’t going to get a shot in Chicago, so this was about seeking out a better opportunity.
Speaking of which, the aged Rich Hill is on the bump for the Omaha Storm Chasers as they face the Iowa Cubs on Wednesday afternoon. The 45-year-old is literally more than twice as old as four of the players in Iowa’s lineup, which is just wild.
Kershaw nearing milestone
Clayton Kershaw will start for the Dodgers tonight against the White Sox in LA needing just three strikeouts to reach 3,000 for his career. That would make him just the 20th pitcher in MLB history to reach that mark. Though he’s far removed from his best days, the venerable lefty has punched out three or more in five of his eight starts this season.
I’d be in favor of him swording a dude for No. 3,000 and then walking off the mound for good. That obviously won’t happen, but it’d be fun.
Now that’s a beard
No movie trailers today, but this gentleman’s facial hair has all the action of a blockbuster with solely practical effects.
Bro heard facial hair competition and brought out the Clemente Bridge pic.twitter.com/YhE1aFqLMj
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) July 2, 2025
