"Danny Palencia Takes Responsibility for 9th-Inning Collapse: ‘I’ll Be Back Out There to Help Us Win’"
Chicago, IL (Sept 8, 2025) – The Chicago Cubs were on the verge of securing a crucial win in their playoff race against the Washington Nationals on Sunday, leading 3-1 entering the 9th inning. But what followed was a shocking collapse that left Cubs fans reeling and the team facing a difficult reality.
Danny Palencia, their trusted closer, was called in to shut the door on the Nationals. Instead, he gave up five runs without recording a single out, handing Washington a dramatic 6-3 victory. As the game slipped away, the Cubs’ hopes for a smooth finish to their season seemed to fall with it.
But it wasn’t just the pressure of the game. According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Palencia may have been dealing with an injury during his disastrous performance. Nightengale reported, “After allowing five runs in the 9th inning, Cubs' closer Danny Palencia is being evaluated for a potential right shoulder strain.”
Danny Palencia’s Heartfelt Response
In the aftermath of his performance, Palencia took responsibility for his meltdown and assured Cubs fans he would bounce back from this setback. “I take full responsibility for that meltdown. It’s never easy to go out there and let your team down, especially in such a crucial moment,” Palencia said in a statement. “But right now, all I can do is focus on getting back to full strength. If there’s an injury, I’ll fight through it — my team needs me. I’m not going to let this define me, and I’ll be back out there as soon as I can to help us win games.”
The Cubs are facing a tough situation as the regular season nears its final stretch, with their bullpen already ranking 12th in the league for ERA (3.94). Losing Palencia, who had an impressive 2.16 ERA and 22 saves before the collapse, would be a huge blow to their postseason hopes.
The Cubs’ Playoff Hopes in Jeopardy
While the 9th-inning collapse was a tough pill to swallow, the injury concerns surrounding Palencia add an entirely new layer of stress to an already high-stakes season. The Cubs have relied on Palencia to close out tight games all season, and his absence in the coming weeks could lead to more pressure on an already underperforming bullpen.
Despite this setback, Palencia remains determined to return to action as quickly as possible. His mentality and resilience are what the Cubs will need if they are to make a deep playoff run.
“We’ve got a long way to go, but I’m not giving up on this team or this season,” Palencia added. “I’ll be back, and I’ll be ready to help us win when it matters most.”
The Road Ahead for the Cubs
The Cubs are still in the mix for a playoff spot, but this loss and Palencia’s injury scare are troubling signs. If the team wants to make a strong playoff push, they’ll need their bullpen to step up in a big way — especially if Palencia is sidelined for an extended period.
With the regular season winding down, the Cubs will have to dig deep, not just in terms of their bullpen but in their overall team mentality, to overcome these latest challenges. A playoff berth is still within reach, but the next few weeks will determine whether they can rebound from Sunday’s collapse and make a real push for October.
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Bruins' Jeremy Swayman faces make-or-break season: Will he rebound or crumble under pressure?
The Boston Bruins' 2025-2026 season may hinge on the performance of one player: Jeremy Swayman. After an abysmal year in 2024-2025, which saw the 26-year-old goaltender posting career-worst numbers, Swayman finds himself in a do-or-die situation. If he doesn’t rebound, the Bruins could be staring at another season in the basement of the Atlantic Division.
The struggles were undeniable last season. From missing training camp due to a financial stalemate to failing to find any consistency in net, Swayman finished with a dismal 3.11 goals-against average and a .892 save percentage in a career-high 58 games. While injuries to key defensemen like Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm certainly didn’t help, the spotlight shone brightest on Swayman’s inability to deliver when it mattered most. Add to that the criticism surrounding his $8.25 million contract, and the pressure is now at an all-time high.
For Swayman, this season is not just about proving himself to the Bruins organization. It's about proving his worth to Team USA, with a coveted spot on the U.S. Olympic team for the 2026 Winter Games on the line. With elite goaltenders like Connor Hellebuyck and Jake Oettinger competing for the same spot, Swayman can't afford to falter early. Any struggles could push him out of the Olympic conversation entirely.
“That's always the hardest problem with being a goalie,” Hellebuyck explained at the U.S. Olympic orientation camp. “There are multiple guys but only one net.”
Indeed, Swayman knows that if he doesn't perform, others will take his spot. But the pressure doesn't end there. Without no-trade protection on his contract until next season, Bruins GM Don Sweeney may be forced to make a decision on Swayman’s future sooner than expected.
“We have an endless belief mindset,” Swayman said, trying to stay focused on the present. “We can’t predict what’s going to happen, but the thing is that we can control what we can control, right here, right now.”
However, with backup goalie Joonas Korpisalo hardly posing a challenge to Swayman’s role, it’s clear that the onus is squarely on the young goaltender. A slow start could easily sink the Bruins’ playoff aspirations and seal Swayman’s fate.
"This season is make or break for me. I've had my fair share of struggles, but I’m not backing down. The pressure is on, and I’m ready to prove that I belong at the top. It's time to take control of my career and show the world that I’m not just the goalie of the past—I’m the future of this team," Swayman declared, putting his focus on bouncing back and earning the trust of both his team and his fans.
With a season packed with both personal and team-related stakes, this is undeniably a boom-or-bust year for the young goalie. Will Swayman rise to the challenge, or will this be the season he gets lost in the shuffle?
One thing’s for sure: Swayman’s performance will be under the microscope all year long, and his every move will be scrutinized. The future of the Bruins—and his career—could very well be determined by how he handles the immense pressure.
