Texas Rangers: How to put the bullpen terrors to rest

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ARLINGTON, TX – APRIL 22: Keone Kela #50 of the Texas Rangers pitches in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Park in Arlington on April 22, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images) /

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.

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