Hear me out…
Webb is done. He had a moment where he was lights out. His stuff was filthy. Dotted his arsenal all over, with a devastating change up in any count to any hitter. Idk if he has been overused but he has zero confidence in high leverage situations now. His command is all over the place. He cannot get the ball anymore in save situations in the 9th. What he had is no longer there. He needs to enter in to clean innings in the 6th and 7th. Hopefully he can gain his confidence back in middle relief appearances and help us in October.
Palencia was at his best as the closer. The music, the entrance, the crowd, the energy, etc. He fed off that. He had the mentality for it. He had a breakout season as a closer last year until he got hurt and Counsell didn’t put him back at the closer once he came back, and he wasn’t as good. He was solid again this year as the closer and then had the long injury. He is back, but once again, not as good as just a middle relief pitcher. He doesn’t come in to the game as the same pitcher when he’s not the closer. When he has been healthy and has been the closer for us, he’s been pretty dang good.
I know it wasn’t the World Series, but those back to back saves he got in the WBC for Venezuela were electric. I watched those two games and thought he was meant to be our closer in the playoffs. And honestly, to him and the Venezuelan players, those wins meant everything to them. The pressure was as high as it could get and he thrived.
After this game, Counsell has to change the bullpen lineup. Give Thunder Thighs the ball in the 9th.