The Texas Rangers haven’t had the start of the season they were looking for. That’s not a secret.
Texas was among the favorites to win the AL West, but prior to Thursday they have a 10-12 record. They are 4.5 games behind the Houston Astros. And to make things more complicated, they only have a 3-6 record on the road. The positive aspect is that they have won six of their last 10, however, so they might be on the rise. But for that to happen, Texas needs to make a big change.
They need to do something with the back of their bullpen. Sam Dyson can’t remain as the closer if the Rangers want to contend for a playoff berth. Even though we’ve only had less than a month during the season, Texas needs to react soon. Otherwise it might be too late, and their record suggests they’re not in a position to waste time.
As crazy as it might sound, Dyson has already blown three saves in six appearances. He has an 0-3 record, a 27.00 ERA, and has allowed 13 earned runs in just 4.1 innings of work. By any measure, that’s disastrous. He’s currently on the DL due to a right hand contusion, but could return as soon as Friday. But do Texas really want him as their closer? We’re talking about a pitcher that’s allowing a .538 to opposing hitters with a 4.38 WHIP.
Dyson had a good season in 2016, but that’s in the past now. If the Rangers want to win now, they must establish a new closer. And they have one available in Jose Leclerc, even ahead of Matt Bush.
Bush has dazzled since he returned to the majors, and this season he’s been pretty good too. A 1-0 record with a 2.35 ERA and one save in two chances is pretty decent. He has 12 strikeouts in 7.2 innings of work, and opposing batters are hitting only .148 off him. That looks pretty good, but it seems he’s not a ninth-inning guy. The 31-year-old righty posted a 2.48 ERA in 58 appearances last season, but only had one save in four chances.
Leclerc, on the other hand, is a 23-year-old pitcher who will only get better. He recorded a save in his lone appearance, and already has 15 strikeouts in only nine innings. He’s the future closer of the franchise, and it seems now is the perfect time to let him embrace the role.
The worst-case scenario is that he struggles out there, just like Bush and Dyson have done it so far. But at this point, the Rangers have nothing to lose and everything to win. And who knows? Maybe Leclerc is the missing piece the Rangers need to improve their bullpen woes.