How can the Rangers solve their pressing closer problem?

Getting the final three outs of games trying to protect a one or two-run lead in the bottom of the ninth has been a challenge this season for the Texas Rangers.

From spring training onward, the organization has been piecing together the role without any continuity or consistency.

The Rangers never had a plan in place for closing games to begin with

When the pitchers and catchers reported for Spring Training at the Rangers facility in Surprise, Arizona, back in February, POBO Chris Young, manager Bruce Bochy and pitching coach Mike Maddux never had a plan for who who be featured as the team's closer heading into the 2025 season.

The end result was breaking camp with Luke Jackson, a journeyman reliever that the team picked up for bottom dollar, assuming the position, although he had no real track record closing out games over his 11-year career.

The fact that Jackson came out with his best stuff and quickly accumulated 8 saves in April and May sort of buried the problem for the time being. Now, after Jackson faltered and has since been released, the Rangers have been scrambling to find consistency at the end of games

How should the Rangers proceed with closing games?

Robert Garcia took over for Jackson after what was essentially an open tryout for the closer role in early June. He was the only reliever who came in and threw strikes, not walking batters.

Now, Garcia has given up three backbreaking homers in his last three appearances, and Bochy and Maddux are scrambling to figure out what their best option is going to be moving forward.

As of now, it appears that trade deadline acquisition Phil Maton has landed in the final available chair as the music has stopped. He bumped Garcia aside, came in, and got a big save in the 2-0 win in the middle game of the Yankees series this week. Meanwhile, Garcia's most recent appearance was in 7th inning relief against New York.

It appears that the team will continue to ride the hot hand with the closer role for the time being. Maton has a closer's stuff, including a hard slider strikeout pitch and good velocity. Hopefully, the former Astros' releiever will lock up the role as the games become more important down the stretch.

Another option if Maton should have issues slamming the door shut include Shawn Armstrong, who has been arguably the Rangers most dependable bullpen arm and has a selection of strikeout pitches as well.

And what about the young rookie just up from Round Rock, Luis Curvelo? All he has done is come to Arlington and throw 4 1/3 shutout innings while picking up a save of his own. We admit, however, if Curvelo does become the Rangers' closer, then things will have gone very poorly up to that point,