Daniel Palencia gets the ultimate revenge after Willson Contreras runs his mouth

Willson Contreras is absolutely the definition of a player you love if he plays for your team - but if he doesn't? Man, he really grinds your gears. At least for me, that's the case - and the reason why was on full display in the ninth inning of the Chicago Cubs' 3-0 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday afternoon.

After Alec Burleson doubled off Palencia to lead off the top of the ninth, the right-hander lost the handle on a 1-2 fastball that sailed up and in on the Cardinals' catcher, barely clipping him. The Cubs challenged the call, but it was upheld, giving St. Louis men at first and second with nobody out.

Willson Contreras lets his emotions get the better of him... yet again

Contreras jawed at Palencia the entire way to first, just the latest example of him taking exception at just about everything. But it was the Cubs' closer who got the last laugh, setting down the next three batters - Nolan Arenado, Thomas Saggese and Nolan Gorman - down on strikes to nail down the save and deliver a series split for Chicago.

Immediately after striking out Gorman for the final out of the game, Palencia turned and roared his satisfaction toward Contreras at first, who didn't love it - and the two going back-and-forth actually cleared the benches, even though the game was over.

Things haven't been exactly smooth for Contreras in St. Louis after joining the Cubs' hated rival in free agency - from losing the catching job to changing positions and everything in between. Frankly, it's just an immature look for a player that's long been known as a hothead at worst and an emotionally charged player, at best.

But for the Cubs and Palencia, it was a huge moment. Faced with two on and nobody out, the right-hander buckled down and delivered for his team in a big spot. It's one of those appearances that a reliever can ride for weeks - and given Chicago's rocky play of late, it could serve as a spark that helps drive the team through the end of the first half.

A pitcher with a well-documented history of control problems barely clipping you with a pitch (in a game his team desperately needs to win, no less) is a ridiculous reason to start running your mouth. But these days, it seems like that's what Contreras does best.