With the back end of their bullpen currently out of action, the Chicago Cubs might need to piece together their closing duties when they open a three-game series against the visiting Tampa Bay Rays on Friday afternoon.
Daniel Palencia departed after feeling a pop in his right shoulder in the ninth inning on Sunday against the Washington Nationals, and the closer was placed on the 15-day injured list the following day.
The Cubs eventually lost 6-3 to the Nationals, marking just the third blown save in 25 opportunities for Palencia this season.
Palencia may attempt to play light catch on Friday before the series opener against the Rays, but the main goal is to have him back for the start of the playoffs in less than three weeks.
“For me, that’s the plan,” Palencia said. “I’m just trying to be stronger with my mindset right now. Hopefully, that’s the plan — maybe getting back the last week and be ready for the playoffs.”
The Cubs (83-63) don’t plan to anoint a new closer, but rather take a group approach.
“It’s more so just go out there and just do your job,” Chicago reliever Brad Keller said. “We’ve kind of kept that pass-the-baton-on mentality all year long. Next man up. Just go in there, do whatever we’re asked to do and put up a zero and pass it on to the next guy.”
The bullpen was asked to record 14 outs on Wednesday against the host Atlanta Braves, and the relievers came through in a 3-2 victory, allowing just one hit the rest of the way.
“Just shows you the depth and the length of it,” said Jameson Taillon, the starting pitcher on Wednesday who was coming off the 15-day IL. “They’ve been big for us all year, and it’s not always the same guy. Everyone’s had their moments.”
Tampa Bay (72-74) plans to start right-hander Shane Baz in the series opener.
Baz (9-11, 4.94 ERA) didn’t earn a decision his last time out, allowing two runs and five hits in five innings of a 3-2 loss to the Cleveland Guardians on Saturday.
Before that outing, he threw six shutout innings in a 10-2 win against the Seattle Mariners on Sept. 1.
Baz has never faced the Cubs in his four-year career.
The Rays might be down a starter after Ryan Pepiot was scratched from his outing on Wednesday against the Chicago White Sox.
“Just full body fatigue, but also just understanding where we’re at in season, innings, and they’re just trying to do what’s right by me and protecting me,” Pepiot said. “Take it day by day and go from there.”
The Cubs plan to start left-hander Matthew Boyd on Friday.
Boyd (12-8, 2.92 ERA) has dropped five of his past six decisions after getting off to an 11-3 start. His ERA has also risen from 2.20 to 2.92 in that span.
He deserved a better fate in some of those losses, including his most recent outing, when he held the Nationals to two runs and seven hits over seven innings as the Cubs lost 2-1 on Saturday.
Boyd has made four career starts against the Rays, going 1-1 with a 3.75 ERA.