The Chicago Cubs have received important contributions from several of their biggest stars during their strong 2026 campaign, but manager Craig Counsell has also seen an unsung reliever emerge as one of the team’s most dependable late-inning weapons.
Jacob Webb has quietly transformed himself into a crucial piece of the Cubs’ bullpen, and Counsell’s latest comments make it clear that the veteran reliever has earned the organization’s trust.
Webb delivered another impressive performance Tuesday, entering the game in the eighth inning and recording a four-out save. He surrendered just one hit, struck out two hitters and successfully protected the Cubs’ lead through the final two innings.
The outing also lowered Webb’s season ERA to 2.38, another indication of just how effective he has been during his first season in Chicago.
Counsell was particularly impressed by Webb’s ability to handle the pressure of a four-out save, a situation that often requires a reliever to navigate the most dangerous part of an opposing lineup before returning for the final inning.
“He’s been nails,” Counsell said, emphasizing just how reliable Webb has become.
The Cubs manager pointed out that the first out of a four-out save can be especially important because it often determines whether the reliever can settle into the appearance. Webb not only handled that first challenge but then had to face a dangerous hitter in CJ Abrams with the game on the line.
Webb responded by making the necessary pitch and finishing the game without allowing the Nationals to mount a comeback.
Counsell described the performance as a well-earned save and praised Webb for the work he has put in throughout the season.
Webb has embraced an unexpected closing role
Webb did not enter the 2026 season as Chicago’s expected closer.
The 31-year-old reliever joined the Cubs this season and initially worked in a different role within the bullpen. However, an injury to Daniel Palencia forced the Cubs to reconsider their late-inning plans and elevated Webb into a more prominent role.
Rather than allowing the change to overwhelm him, Webb has responded by becoming one of Chicago’s most dependable relief options.
His recent run has been particularly impressive.
Webb has not allowed a run since June 20, when he surrendered damage against the Toronto Blue Jays in an 8-6 Cubs loss. Since that outing, he has consistently shut down opposing hitters while taking on increasingly important assignments.
That stretch has included appearances against some of baseball’s most dangerous offenses, including the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers.
The quality of opposition makes Webb’s consistency even more impressive. He has not simply accumulated clean innings against struggling lineups; he has repeatedly been asked to protect leads against teams capable of producing multiple runs in a matter of minutes.
A bullpen piece who has become a trusted weapon
The Cubs have lost only one game since June 20 in which Webb has appeared, highlighting how closely his success has been connected to the team’s overall results.
While that statistic does not mean Webb alone is responsible for those victories, it illustrates the reliability Chicago has found in the back end of its bullpen.
His emergence has also reduced some of the pressure created by Palencia’s absence. Instead of needing to completely restructure the bullpen, Chicago has been able to rely on Webb as a trusted late-game option.
That kind of stability becomes especially valuable as the season moves toward its most important stage.
The Cubs are competing at the highest level of the National League, and their success has been fueled by contributions throughout the roster. Pete Crow-Armstrong has emerged as one of the team’s biggest offensive stars and is building a legitimate MVP case, while the defense has also helped Chicago remain among baseball’s better teams.
But championship-caliber teams need more than star players.
They need relievers who can enter difficult situations without losing composure, and Webb has increasingly shown that he can be that type of pitcher.
Counsell’s confidence speaks volumes
Managers do not casually use relievers for four-out saves, particularly when the game is in a critical situation.
Counsell’s willingness to deploy Webb for extended appearances demonstrates the level of confidence the Cubs have developed in him.
The manager’s comments also highlight something beyond the statistics: Webb has earned the trust of the coaching staff and his teammates.
His ability to attack hitters, execute pitches under pressure and handle high-leverage situations has made him a valuable part of Chicago’s late-game strategy.
That confidence could become even more important as the Cubs approach the postseason.
If Palencia remains unavailable or the Cubs decide to continue using a committee approach in the late innings, Webb has already demonstrated that he can handle the responsibility.
An important piece for the stretch run
Chicago’s bullpen will likely face increasing pressure as the season progresses. Starters will be monitored carefully, playoff games will become more intense and every late-inning lead will carry greater significance.
Having a reliever like Webb available gives Counsell another reliable option.
His 2.38 ERA, recent scoreless streak and ability to record multi-out saves provide the Cubs with flexibility that could prove extremely valuable down the stretch.
Perhaps most importantly, Webb appears to have embraced his expanded role rather than treating it as temporary.
What began as an opportunity created by an injury has turned into a chance for Webb to establish himself as a legitimate late-inning weapon.
For the Cubs, that development could have major implications.
The team already possesses offensive firepower, strong defense and several high-level contributors. If Webb can continue pitching at this level, Chicago could enter the postseason with a bullpen capable of protecting narrow leads and surviving the pressure-filled moments that often determine playoff series.
Counsell’s assessment may have been brief, but it perfectly captures Webb’s impact.
“He’s been nails.”
For a Cubs team with championship aspirations, having an increasingly dependable reliever at the back end of the bullpen could be one of the most valuable developments of the second half of the season.
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