Following Adbert Alzolay’s fourth blown save of the season on Saturday, it became apparent that the Chicago Cubs needed to make a change in the closer role. With their sights set on reaching the postseason, there’s little room for error, especially in tightly contested games.
The adjustment came when manager Craig Counsell entrusted Hector Neris with the ninth inning during the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader. The outcome proved favorable, as Neris tallied a strikeout in a scoreless inning to secure the save in the Cubs’ 5-3 victory.
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While this marked only his first save of the year, Neris boasts an impressive career total of 90 saves, indicating he’s the most capable option to handle the closer duties for the Cubs at present. Despite typically investing modestly in their bullpen, the Cubs made a surprising move by signing Neris to a one-year, $9 million contract this past offseason.
Initially envisioned as an established setup man for Alzolay, plans have shifted, affording Neris an opportunity to claim the Cubs’ closer role, at least temporarily. Despite a somewhat shaky start to the season, Neris has found his stride in his last four outings, including the save opportunity on Saturday, where he didn’t surrender an earned run.
Craig Counsell doesn't like using the term "closer" but said the Cubs' 9th-inning role will be a "day-to-day" assessment.
Adbert Alzolay likely won't be in that role Sunday but Counsell hopes Cubs get back to that point again this season where he is closing down games.
— Tony Andracki (@TonyAndracki23) April 21, 2024
Other bullpen contributors may also be called upon in the ninth inning. Mark Leiter Jr. has appeared in 10 games without allowing an earned run. Meanwhile, rookies Ben Brown and Luke Little have delivered reliable relief performances early in the 2024 season.
However, given Neris’ established track record in high-pressure situations with the Philadelphia Phillies and Houston Astros, his experience should elevate him to the forefront of consideration for the closer role.
While the Cubs remain optimistic about Alzolay’s potential resurgence, time is of the essence, and Neris appears to be solidifying his case as the primary closer for the time being.
