3 Cubs relievers who should have Craig Counsell's trust heading into the playoffs

The Chicago Cubs bullpen has entered crisis mode. Setting aside the recent injury scare, Jacob Webb has allowed seven runs on six hits over his last three innings of work. Daniel Palencia hasn't quite looked like the hybrid high-leverage arm he was for the Cubs last year in the playoffs, and the trade for Ryan Zeferjahn hasn't worked out through the 28-year-old's first month in Chicago.

If the Cubs are going to find success in October, it goes without saying that Craig Counsell is going to need to find established options in his bullpen circle of trust. Right now, in terms of trusted options, the established choices are few-and-far between.

Here are the current Cubs relief pitchers in Craig Counsell's circle of trust as the playoffs loom.

If we're being honest, the hope is that someone from the group of Shelby Miller, Edward Cabrera, and Justin Steele emerges as a trusted option before the playoffs. Because right now, Craig Counsell is sweating through his choices.

Ryan Rolison

Part of the reason why the Cubs were willing to part ways with Hoby Milner is that Ryan Rolison has emerged as the go-to lefty in the bullpen. Through his first 50 appearances this season, Rolison has an ERA of 2.98 while striking out over 22% of the hitter's he's faced. As is the case with most of the relievers in the Cubs bullpen, the metrics suggest he's due for regression, but as long he keeps getting results, he's an answer.

Jacob Webb

Perhaps this is wishful thinking, because if the Cubs are going to be successful in October, they need Webb to be effective at the backend of the bullpen. As for the recent struggles, it's not the first he's struggles this season. He had an ERA of 5.87 through his first nine appearances, and it seemed like he was heading toward becoming a DFA candidate. He responded by becoming the de facto closer. The Cubs certainly need that type of response from Webb again, and considering it happened once before, he shouldn't lose his spot among Counsell's circle of trust.

Javier Assad

Daniel Palencia can't be in the circle of trust right now. The velocity is there, but not much else is. Until he figures out his command issues, he certainly shouldn't be used in a high-leverage situation. Trent Thornton is a ticking time bomb. Counsell doesn't appear to be overly motivated to use Aaron Civale in anything other than mop-up work. Caleb Thielbar has missed bats this season, but his home run issue is a serious problem. That leaves Javier Assad as someone in the circle of trust, despite him not currently being on the roster. That should change shortly after September 5.

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