Astros: 3 key pieces needed to hold this bullpen together

1. Ryan Pressly

I picked the wrong time to pause this article and come back to it, because overnight, Pressly introduced a little chaos into the situation by blowing a save to the Rangers that lead to a loss, but the point stands—Pressly is crucial to the success of this bullpen.

If this bullpen and starting pitching staff can see a lead to the ninth inning, we have to know that Pressly is there to close the door. The quickest way to see that confidence shaken is to start ruining the good work that the bullpen does put in. Or, even worse, when they struggle, similarly struggling. Young guys need to know that when they and the game off to their closer, that their work won’t get spoiled.

It’s been spoiled a couple of times this year, but we also have to remember that Pressly is not a regular closer. He’s used to being the set-up guy. Still, there’s no one else now. It’s Pressly’s gig and we have to be able to count on him.