If we take a look back at the offseason, we can see Astros fans worried about not having an established closer for the 2021 season. GM James Click and the rest of the staff decided to leave Ryan Pressly as the ninth-inning guy and take care of their other needs.
High- and low-profile relievers were brought in to reassemble the bullpen, but none of them had closer experience except for Steve Cishek. The veteran right-hander didn’t even make the team and ended up pitching for the Angels in ‘21.
It was Pressly’s job to lose. And, so far, he’s embraced the full-time role.