Daniel Palencia’s wild reaction became the Cubs’ ultimate NLDS rallying cry

The Chicago Cubs' Game 3 victory over the San Diego Padres garnered some wild reactions, with Jeff Passan stirring the pot for Padres fans and talking about how the ABS challenge system could have changed the outcome of the game. But the fact remains that the Cubs are advancing to the NLDS to play the Milwaukee Brewers, and while Dansby Swanson is getting his flowers, Daniel Palencia may have emerged as the spirit animal of the Cubs' playoff run.

Palencia was excellent when called upon during the National League Wild Card series. After an injury and second-half struggles saw the Cubs remove Palencia from the closer role during the final month of the regular season, Counsell turned to the 25-year-old in middle relief during each of the team's victories over the Padres. The result was Palencia tossing 3 scoreless innings while striking out 2.

Daniel Palencia gave Cubs fans a moment they’ll never forget ahead of NLDS clash

The question now becomes what role Palencia will play during the NLDS. Lost in the shuffle that was the chaos of the end of the Cubs' Game 3 victory on Thursday night was that Brad Keller struggled. Keller has been the bullpen ace for the Cubs throughout the season, but gave up a leadoff home run to Jackson Merrill before hitting two batters after his controversial strikeout of Xander Bogaerts.

It's possible that the Cubs would turn to Andrew Kittredge to serve as the closer against the Brewers, but if Palencia has rediscovered the form he had during the first half of the season, he is the clear answer. Before the calendar flipped to September, Palencia had an ERA of 2.20 while striking out over 28% of the batters he faced. That version of Palencia is what the Cubs got during the National League Wild Card series.

Managing the pitching staff will be the key for Craig Counsell when he goes up against his former team with a trip to the NLCS on the line. A Game 2 decision with Shota Imanaga as the only exception, Counsell was masterful during to begin his playoff run as the Cubs' manager.

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