Texas Rangers: How to put the bullpen terrors to rest

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CLEVELAND, OH – APRIL 30: Pitcher Chris Martin #31 of the Texas Rangers reacts as he leaves the game after giving up the lead during the eighth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field on April 30, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

The bullpen has spelled disaster for the Texas Rangers. A team that has already been pushed back by key offensive injuries cannot endure blown leads in the late innings. Adjustments need to be made in the Rangers’ pen.

The Texas Rangers are not a team that can afford to blow leads in the late innings, at least not in their current state. As you’d assume, this topic was motivated by the game-tying 9th inning grand slam let up by Keone Kela in last night’s game.

An occasional bullpen collapse happens with every team. Major League hitters are talented, and they’re generally happy when a reliever replaces a starter. However, major league relievers are also talented. Pitchers are more often successful than hitters; therefore, a relief crew should be able to keep an opponent from scoring the vast majority of the time.

The Rangers bullpen has not gotten that memo. It seems like every night we’re watching at least one reliever struggle with his command and forfeit multiple runs. Of course, the struggles always occur in delicate situations, too.

Texas’ current bullpen strategy has not worked. Their options are limited, but something has to be done. The questions is…what can be done?

ST PETERSBURG, FL – APRIL 18: Alex Claudio #58 of the Texas Rangers pitches during a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on April 18, 2018 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

Who takes the mound in the 7th inning?

Recent approach: It’s anybody’s game

Fix: Alex Claudio/Kevin Jepsen

Keep in mind, the proposed bullpen solutions are for games in which the Texas Rangers either have slight lead or a slight deficit. Such scenarios in the 7th inning should be split by Alex Claudio and Kevin Jepsen.

Last year, Claudio was trusted in practically any game situation. He spent time as the team’s closer; he even made a few starts. Though, in 2018, Claudio has been far from reliable.

He has a 7.50 ERA in 16 appearances this season. His opponent’s batting average is a scary .414 and he’s allowed a .433 OBP. What really stands out are his splits between right-handed hitters and left-handed hitters.

Batters from the right side of the plate are slashing .514/.538/.595 against Claudio, while lefties are slashing .238/.238/.429. Thus far, Claudio has been used more against right-handed hitters.

Jeff Banister should go back to using Claudio as a lefty specialist, at least for the time being. Give Alex Claudio the ball against lefties in the 7th inning. It’s okay if he has to face a righty in between, but most of his work needs to be done in favorable match-ups.

Kevin Jepsen has been better against right-handed batters, allowing just a .205 Batting Average Against. Jepsen is not quite what he was in his dominant days with the Los Angeles Angels (or perhaps Anaheim Angels at that point), but he’s shown he can still be effective.

A match-up-wise combination of Alex Claudio and Kevin Jepsen has great potential to maintain Rangers’ leads, or even deficits, in the 7th inning.

SEATTLE, WA – MAY 7: Reliever Jose Leclerc (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images) /

Who takes the mound in the 8th inning?

Recent approach: It’s anybody’s game

Fix: Jake Diekman/Jose Leclerc

The 8th inning is for pitchers with excellent stuff—pitchers that can put hitters away. Jake Diekman’s mid-90s fastball and wipeout slider will do the trick. In addition, his 3/4 arm slot makes for an uncomfortable at-bat. Unfortunately, that arm slot can also result in control issues, at times.

Nevertheless, Diekman has an experienced arm that has handled many 8th innings throughout its career. Jose Leclerc, on the other hand, doesn’t necessarily have the experience, but he does have his own version of a wipeout pitch.

Who takes the mound in the 9th inning?

Recent approach: Keone Kela

Fix: N/A

Last night’s performance aside, Keone Kela has done a nice job as the Texas Rangers closer. Actually, he didn’t even pitch that poorly in last night’s game.

Cleveland was able to square a couple of Kela’s curveballs, curveballs that were not necessarily poorly located. Even the grand slam pitch was a curveball that was headed towards the outside corner on a 2-2 count. Granted, Michael Brantley is known to be a low-ball hitter. But he’s not going to throw a high curveball, and Brantley is too disciplined of a hitter to chase a curve in the dirt. A good hitter hit a pretty good pitch, it’s as simple as that.

Point being, Keone Kela is the Texas closer and that should not change anytime soon. Kela has the makeup of a legitimate MLB closer. He’s a young pitcher that will thrive as long as his manager shows confidence in him.

ST. PETERSBURG, FL – JULY 21: Manager Jeff Banister /

No matter what, bullpen roles must be established

Jeff Banister has shown the tendency to shakeup the bullpen ever since he became the Texas Rangers manager. Frankly, it hasn’t worked. The Rangers bullpen was bad last season and it is bad so far this season.

Banister must establish some structure within the pen. He doesn’t have to abide by the suggestions in this article, but he does need to give his relievers defined roles. This will enable preparedness and consistency.

Next: Texas Rangers April Report Card

We’ll see how Banister decides to play it. The Texas Rangers relief unit has potential. It consists of a nice mix of young and veteran arms. Each member of their pen is capable of having a good season. But, for whatever reason, almost every member has struggled out of the gates. Adjustments need to be made; a structure needs to be established.

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The bullpen has spelled disaster for the Texas Rangers. A team that has already been pushed back by key offensive injuries cannot endure blown leads in the late innings. Adjustments need to be made in the Rangers’ pen.

Who takes the mound in the 7th inning?

Who takes the mound in the 8th inning?

Who takes the mound in the 9th inning?

No matter what, bullpen roles must be established

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