Closing Time for Hector

Hector Neris will again be able to do Hector Neris things in the ninth inning to start the season, as manager Joe Girardi this morning tabbed the veteran Phillies reliever as the closer.

For his career, Hector's been mostly good. But when he's bad, man oh man is he bad–remember his demotion to Triple A in 2018? In his seven-year Phillies career, he's appeared in 331 games and pitched 333.1 innings. He's given up 280 hits while striking out 422 and walking 129 for a WHIP of 1.197. He's saved 72 games for the Phils, but also blown 19, and his career record is 17-22.

He's been mostly good against the rest of the NL East, holding three of the four teams to an OPS against of .700 or less. The Mets have an .814 OPS against him.

The closer role will probably be fluid, since expectations are higher in 2021 than in past seasons. Archie Bradley, Jose Alvarado, and Connor Brogdon will all be in setup roles, and any one of them could be called on to close out a game if Hector starts being Hector again. Maybe he'll be better with better arms in the bullpen. (Photo from The Philadelphia Inquirer)