Craig Counsell and the Chicago Cubs are striving for an unlikely late-season push to secure a spot in the MLB postseason.
While their chances remain slim, the team has shown signs of life recently, going 6-3 over their last nine games. Although their performance has improved, it might be too little, too late.
However, Chicago still has a shot at making a run. To succeed, they must start closing out wins more effectively than they have all season.
With this in mind, Alexander Patt of Cubbies Crib is advocating for a significant roster change. He believes the Cubs should remove Hector Neris from the closer role.
“It’s long overdue for Craig Counsell to make a change in the ninth inning, similar to his early-season adjustment with Adbert Alzolay. While the Cubs may not make the postseason, they should play with urgency until they are officially eliminated and aim to salvage as much as possible in 2024. Chicago has received excellent pitching from Jorge López, Porter Hodge, and Tyson Miller recently, so there are alternatives. Even if it’s experimental, it’s tough to keep watching the tying and go-ahead runs reach base during every save opportunity, regardless of the outcome.”
Patt raises a valid point. Despite Neris recording 17 saves, he has blown five save opportunities and nearly lost several others.
He simply doesn’t seem suited for the closer role.
Neris has performed better in the seventh or eighth inning, where the pressure isn’t as intense. He has struggled with the demands of being a closer.
Throughout the season, Chicago has had trouble finishing games, often losing close contests that could have been won with a reliable closer. Making a change would be a logical move.
Any of the three options Patt mentioned could be viable. López and Miller seem like the most promising candidates, as both have handled tough relief situations and demonstrated the potential to succeed as closers.
With 38 games remaining in the regular season, each one should be treated as a must-win. The Cubs can no longer afford to lose games when leading in the ninth inning.
The reality is that Neris hasn’t delivered consistently. Replacing him and giving another player a chance could be the right move for Counsell.
