Jeff Erickson urged managers desperate for saves to grab Daniel Palencia right now. Palencia has collected Chicago’s last two saves and has been deployed in classic ninth-inning leverage while Ryan Pressly tries to locate his missing fastball in the sixth. Erickson conceded Palencia’s 11 % walk rate keeps the WHIP shaky, but the role trumps the warts. He expects the Cubs to ride the hot hand because they owe Pressly nothing after this year and surrendered only a fringe prospect plus some salary relief to Houston. As long as Palencia holds the job, Erickson sees a month-long window for 6-8 saves that could swing tight roto categories.

Eric Halterman identified Daniel Palencia as the Cubs reliever to grab for saves right now. Ryan Presley and Porter Hodge have ERAs north of 5.00, clearing the path for Palencia’s 2.16 ERA and 0.90 WHIP across 15 outings to earn ninth-inning chances. Though the 25 % strikeout rate and 11 % walk rate are merely average and a .171 BABIP hints at some luck, Stuff+ grades his 99 mph heater and wipeout slider as the best weapons in Chicago’s bullpen. Halterman doubts Palencia holds the job all season—Chicago could add a veteran at the deadline—but says fantasy managers hunting immediate saves should act before the committee firms up elsewhere.