NL WILD CARD SERIES: CUBS VS PADRES

September 28, 2026

Jacob Webb

Petco Park

Chicago Cubs

Workout Day Press Conference

Q. Jacob, what's the feeling for you being back in the postseason and just what do you take from your previous experiences in the playoffs?

JACOB WEBB: Yeah, I mean, postseason is an exciting time obviously. This is where everyone strives to be, every team strives to be. I mean, I've had the experience of getting to a few postseasons. Even to a World Series with the Braves. I got the same kind of feeling with this team. I think this team has what it takes to go all the way, to be honest.

Q. Jacob, this is a goal that this team has had all year long was to get to this point and obviously much further. What is the mentality in the room right now as that part of the season gets started?

JACOB WEBB: I think the mentality is just win every day. Go about our business and do what we can when our name is called. That's really it. Be ready to go, be prepared, and go out there, play hard.

Q. The bullpen has looked very different over the course of the season. It feels like over the last maybe ten days, 14 days that the group seems to really kind of be hitting its stride collectively, especially some of the late-inning guys. How would you describe the confidence level of the group right now and how you feel like the group collectively is rolling heading into the playoffs?

JACOB WEBB: I think the group collectively is preparing themselves properly. I think it's always a good thing hitting our stride right before postseason starts, but all these guys down there, no matter if they've come in for a few innings or a few days, I mean, we all have a mindset of taking the ball and being ready when we're called.

Q. Kind of following up on that, Jacob, Counsell and Tommy and some of your teammates have mentioned how in that stretch in September with all those off days and kind of those three-day series, it was set up almost like you were in playoff mode. Can you describe what the messaging was from the group from the coaching staff to you guys to kind of, like, be ready, be prepared, things of that nature?

JACOB WEBB: Yeah, when we had one of our meetings, Counsell basically gave us that same bit that you just said. Be ready like it's a playoff series. We're going to treat it like a playoff series. I think especially when you're striving to be a postseason team towards the end, that's the mentality that you have to have. You have to play those games kind of giving the same feel that you would have in a postseason experience.

Q. The postseason can be a fresh slate, but how do you use the experiences that you've had this season to help you and kind of be part of the experience that you take going into the postseason?

JACOB WEBB: Yeah, I think I just try to be prepared as much as possible. Do my scouting reports, look over hitters. I think also having just the right mindset. It's a long season. There's a lot of up and downs, but I think being able to have an even-keel mindset throughout each day is the goal.

Q. Jacob, what has it done for this team to see Alex come back from getting hit in the face so quickly and then go and have the day like he had yesterday?

JACOB WEBB: Yeah, I mean, he's the man, to be honest. That's tough to do. That's really cool and shows the kind of character that he has going through such a crazy injury. That's really tough.

I mean, you're putting your career on the line at that point, but I mean, he's always prepared. He's a good dude. He knows what he's doing. He has his plan, and I think that's the biggest thing, is he wants to be here. He wants to win.