Texas Rangers 3-point checklist to conclude the season

Aug 31, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers center fielder Leody Taveras (3) celebrates with designated hitter Yonny Hernandez (65) after hitting a home run against the Colorado Rockies in the fourth inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 31, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers center fielder Leody Taveras (3) celebrates with designated hitter Yonny Hernandez (65) after hitting a home run against the Colorado Rockies in the fourth inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Texas Rangers Glenn Otto
Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

The Texas Rangers need to let their young guys pitch in September

Glenn Otto and A.J. Alexy both had amazing debuts to kick off their promising big league debuts. Taylor Hearn and Dane Dunning have established themselves as 2022 rotation cogs and Kolby Allard and Spencer Howard should get more opportunities to prove their worth.

All of these pitchers are 27 and younger. And there’s more where they all came from.

So let’s back off the Jordan Lyles and Mike Foltynewicz starts. Even the Kohei Arihara starts.

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As “valuable” as Lyles, Folty and Arihara might be from an innings eating standpoint, they’re also taking away from learning opportunities for younger guys. This September is supposed to be a month of evaluation and experimentation, and if the Rangers want to know who they really have in their 2022 rotation mix, they should prioritize the young guns. Because we all know Jordan Lyles and Folty will both be departed come the off-season.

Arihara is coming off an injury and was one of the big off-season acquisitions of last winter, and his two-year deal will probably mean a chance to start next season. But even if his spot could be surrendered to another young pitcher in the pipeline, I’d be all for it.

Let the kids pitch. The future of this franchise will thank you later.