Once the bullpen’s backbone, the veteran right-hander has spiraled into an unprecedented slump, becoming the first pitcher since 1969 to surrender three straight historic, late-inning home runs.
The Chicago Cubs have definitely had some bullpen troubles this season.
Given the number of bullpen arms that this team has gone through, it’s expected for there to be some ups and downs. The Cubs have used the second-most pitchers in baseball (39). Only the Washington Nationals have used more pitchers in 2026 (41).
But despite all the inconsistency in the Cubs bullpen this year, reliever Jacob Webb has been rock solid for most of the year. Some would even say that he was one of the team’s most impactful players in the first few months.
Webb posted an impressive 2.21 ERA, 27.1% strikeout rate, and nine saves across his first 57 relief appearances. But the veteran right-hander hasn't been as consistent over the last few weeks. He has allowed nine earned runs over his last 4 ⅔ innings pitched (six appearances).
Webb has certainly not been a reliable bullpen arm for this Cubs team recently. He has given up a run in four of his last six appearances and continues to blow games in that closer role. The 33-year-old has blown each of his last three save opportunities.
On August 22, Webb entered the game with a 4-2 lead against the Seattle Mariners. He allowed some traffic on the basepaths before giving up a two-run walk-off home run to Randy Arozarena with two outs.
On August 25, Webb entered the game with a 4-3 lead against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He walked Tim Tawa on seven pitches and then gave up a two-run walk-off home run to Ryan Waldschmidt with two outs.
On September 8, Webb entered the game with a 3-1 lead against the Milwaukee Brewers. He struck out Joey Ortiz and got Garrett Mitchell to line out to kick off the bottom of the ninth inning. Christian Yelich then singled before Jackson Chourio hit a towering home run to tie things up and force extra innings.
These three blown save chances have put Webb into uncharted territory. He’s the only MLB pitcher to allow a game-tying or go-ahead home run with two outs in the ninth inning in three straight save opportunities since saves became an official stat in 1969 (according to OptaStats).
Obviously, things haven’t been great for Webb recently. He’s not producing in that closer role right now, and it might be best to remove him from that role for the time being. Webb needs to get his confidence back before pitching in these high-leverage spots again.
