17 Philadelphia Phillies (N. Pivetta) @ Atlanta Braves (L. Gohara)

donaldorc 2017-09-25 13:42:08 UTC #81

I realize that being the setup man is different from being a closer, but I just cannot understand how he could be so lights out in the 8th inning, and keeps making me reach for the Tums when he pitches as the closer. With the exception of the '08 Lidge, we seem to have more than our share of nail-biting closers.

California_Dreamin 2017-09-25 15:01:35 UTC #82

Neris has actually saved 18 in a row and while he does make it interesting he has mot failed in a couple of months and looks to be more confident all the time. I am quite comfortable starting the 2018 season with Neris as the closer.

donaldorc 2017-09-25 15:09:19 UTC #83

I agree that I want him to be the closer in 2018. Even though he has saved 18 in a row, which is great, I wish he wouldn't "make it [so] interesting."

Austinfan 2017-09-25 15:51:10 UTC #84

"Wild Thing, you make my heart sing, you make everything, groovy"

zambonir 2017-09-25 16:03:56 UTC #85

Maybe it's the inning and not the pitcher that makes you bit your nails. Tonight aside, statistically, across baseball, I bet 8th inning pitchers allow the same amount of baserunners - and probably more - than 9th inning pitchers. It's the situation that's different.

And strikeout pitchers also put guys on base. Lidge very much included.

tom81 2017-09-25 21:51:09 UTC #86

Neris has let on more baserunners this year than last, his whip has increased to 1.298 from 1.108 last year. Some of it might be more pressure in the 9th. Some of it may be the result of the large bump in innings he had in innings last year, from 40 to 80, had a negative impact this year. It also could just be random variation that most relief pitchers go through from year to year. Finding a replacement for him as closer certainly isn’t a priority but they should look to bring in one or two RPs this offseason to fortify the pen. If they can get a really favorably deal for an established closer go for it, if not adding one or two guys like Juan Nicasio would help.