On the latest edition of the Powder Blue Podcast, Geoff Mosher, Suzie Hunter, and Frank Klose discuss:

The Phillies lose two tough games in Atlanta

• Nola cannot come up big
• Neris throws a cookie to the Panda
• Hoskins struggles after hot stretch

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

The Flyers season is now completed. A disappointing and frustrating year has come to an end.

Before we fully turn the page on the previous season and look ahead to an eventful offseason that appears to be on tap, it’s still fair to look back at the previous season and wonder what went wrong, where did it go wrong, and what else can we take away from it?

From a mid-January start with some early positive results to one final win/loss to the New Jersey Devils in mid-May to conclude the 56-game campaign, here are five takeaways from the season.

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

It wasn't a pretty year for the Flyers, but in the final game of the season, their brightest spot shined again.

At 21 years old, Joel Farabee not only finished the season as the Flyers leading scorer, but also capped off his season with a pair of goals to reach the 20-goal mark in just his second NHL season. His two goals helped pave the way for a 4-2 Flyers win over the Devils to close out the 2020-21 season on Monday night at Wells Fargo Center.

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

One more game. That's all that remains on what evolved into a disappointing and frustrating year for the Philadelphia Flyers. Four of their divisional foes will be heading onward to the playoffs, a destination that was the base goal for a team that entered the season with so many expectations.

All that is left now for the Flyers is one more match with the New Jersey Devils to close out the 2020-21 season. 

Game time is at 7 p.m.

By Tal Venada, Sports Talk Philly Contributor

If you’re a Philadelphia Phillies fan reading this, you are probably unhappy with Hector Neris and prefer another in-house arm for those final three outs. Meanwhile, some don’t want Neris on the team because they believe he mostly fails and barely succeeds like his recent five-out effort. And he’s saved how many?

Take Your Pick:

In many minds, relying on Neris for the ninth inning puzzles them because it’s obviously a no-brainer with better pen options available. Yes, some faithful supporters believe manager Joe Girardi will agree with them. And if he doesn’t, they may question his strategic ability and think he’s costing the Phillies victories.  

IN OTHER WORDS:

“As a rule we disbelieve all the facts and theories for which we have no use.” - William James

What does Dave Dombrowski, president of baseball operations, observe from his perch when he’s viewing the relief corps now for July’s decisions? And even though fans are watching the same contests, he has a different take because he’s balancing a reliever’s overall performance, not a highlighted negative part.      

Some tend to weigh a ninth inning and a sixth frame equally but remember poor outings. while they assume good results are the norm. So, four acceptable performances out of five are only management’s expectations, while some locals view even nine good out of 10 opportunities disdainfully.                     

A top-tier closer saves 90 percent of his chances, and those hurlers aren’t plentiful. Ergo, most franchises have a ninth-inning option producing at an 80 percent rate, so you can expect two blown saves out of every 10 attempts. But most organizations won’t trade a top closer now or re-sign them in their twilight years.